DDP’s Clean Downtown program, established in 2006, has transformed the appearance of the center city. At optimal level, the Clean Downtown services include cleaning 39 miles of sidewalks; cleaning 72 bus shelters; removing litter; maintaining wayfinding kiosks, monitoring and reporting of public safety situations or significant nuisances; painting light pole bases and utility boxes; removing graffiti, posters, and stickers; monitoring street light outages; power sweeping and power washing of sidewalks; reducing the amount of weeds on sidewalks; and providing support to Downtown events. These activities are done in partnership with numerous city departments.
The Downtown Detroit Partnership executes contracts with Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit and Preferred Building Services to provide the people who work daily to keep our neighborhood clean.
DDP also partners with Mariners Inn which is dedicated to helping homeless men seeking to be free of addiction, live an independent life filled with dignity and purpose. Clean Downtown purchases lunches for its crews from Mariners Inn. A pilot work program has been established in which Preferred Building Services hires applicants from Mariners Inn to work in the Clean Downtown program.
In addition to maintaining the Downtown core, DDP has agreements and contracts with nonprofit development organizations to perform Clean Downtown services in contiguous areas. The entities include the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy, East Jefferson Corridor Collaborative, Eastern Market Corporation, and Midtown Detroit, Inc.
Downtown Detroit Partnership’s Clean Downtown program enhances the physical characteristics of the Greater Downtown by keeping it looking its best for residents, workers, and millions of visitors to sports venues for Lions’, Red Wings’, and Tigers’ games and to marquee events such as America’s Thanksgiving Parade, APBA Gold Cup, CBS Radio Opening Day Block Party, Detroit Free Press Marathon, Detroit Jazz Festival, Detroit River Days, Motown Winter Blast, North American International Auto Show, and the Target Fireworks. Clean Downtown services provide an environment that supports a vibrant and sustainable downtown.
Clean Downtown also provides a presence on the streets and coordinates various activities with public and private security to enhance public safety.
