By Adrienne Boudreau and Caitlin Kupiec
BengalNews Reporters
BengalNews Reporters
The
West Side and other neighborhoods will soon be introduced to the city’s two
recently purchased sidewalk sweepers.
The
commissioner of the Department of Public Works, Steve Stepniak, is finalizing a
schedule within the next two weeks on when and where the sweepers will appear.
“We
are coordinating these machines with any special events that will be occurring
in the West Side,” Stepniak said.
The
machines, purchased at $37,468 each, are smaller than traditional sweepers and
are suction-based. Instead of bristles that push aside debris, they will suck
up the grit from the congested sidewalks and narrow streets on the West Side.
“This
is a test sample to see how it impacts not only the West Side, but communities
throughout Buffalo,” Stepniak said.
West
Side businesses will benefit from cleaner environments, said Louise Sanos,
owner of Global Villages, located at 216 Grant St.
“It
does make (the West Side) more inviting,” Santos said. “If you have a cleaner
place, then the property looks more beautiful. The owners also have to do their
part in making sure their stores look beautiful. It’s not just the city’s
job.”
The
idea is not only to promote cleanliness in the city, but also to encourage a
sense of pride displayed through the improved look and feel of the area.
The
sweepers will aid in the city’s ‘Clean Sweep’ initiative, which works to tidy
up neighborhoods in need of maintenance.
Buffalo
Police spokesperson Michael DeGeorge said that the ultimate goal is to make the
city as clean as possible.
“It’s
a quality of life issue,” DeGeorge said. “You want to live in an environment
that is clean and safe.”
