San Francisco Launches New ‘Power Washing' Street Cleaning Initiative
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has announced a new initiative to increase neighborhood street cleaning through a 'power washing program' in high-traffic commercial areas.
The plan is in partnership with and backed by $3 million in funding from Avenue Greenlight, a new philanthropically funded community-driven
'It's one of the several public-private partnerships we're launching to help clean our streets, support our neighborhoods, and prioritize the long-term economic growth of our city, and it works with what we've already put into motion,' Lurie said at a May 22
announcing the partnership.
Trucks and manual street cleaners will target the Mission, Sunset, Tenderloin, Richmond, Chinatown, North Beach, and Fillmore neighborhoods, and provide additional cleaning during critical afternoon hours.
'We have to take care of the basics. That means clean and safe streets,' the mayor said at the press conference. 'If our neighborhoods feel dirty or neglected, people spend less time there. But when our streets are clean, when they are vibrant and cared for, people come out, they stay, they shop, they believe in the city again.'
According to a
, the partnership will be developed with support from the San Francisco Department of Public Works. It will expand on the department's existing street cleaning operations, which currently include a weekly deep-clean that power washes sidewalks, removes graffiti, and flushes roadways.
Related Stories
5/9/2025
4/21/2025
Additionally, Public Works' Block Sweepers initiative employs street cleaners to clean more than 700 blocks in busy commercial areas and mechanical street sweepers that cover a collective 150,000 miles of curbside lanes annually.
Avenue Greenlight President Maryo Mogannam said at the press conference that while San Francisco and Avenue Greenlight can come in and clean the streets, he really wants to inspire the citizens of the city to help keep the streets clean.
'It's easier to keep the garbage off the street than it is for us to come clean up after you,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
San Francisco Mayor Lurie open to eliminating free parking in Golden Gate Park
SAN FRANCISCO - Mayor Daniel Lurie said on Thursday he is open to eliminating free parking on roads in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park in order to bring more revenue to the city to balance the budget. What we know Every year, people come to Golden Gate Park to enjoy the beautiful grounds to exercise or to visit one of the museums and recreational facilities. San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department says the problem is, with 20 million visits per year, their budget has not kept up with growth. "Our deficit for the next two years is $16.5 million," SF Rec and Parks spokesperson Tamara Barak Aparton said. She said the department is grateful Mayor Lurie is supporting a plan to end free street parking and begin charging vehicles. The proposal calls for creating 3,100 parking spots along the roads in Golden Gate Park. Vehicles would be charged $3 an hour to park, which would generate an estimated $4.9 million per year. "We have to find revenue sources," Mayor Lurie said, adding the parking fees are up for discussion as the city faces a two-year deficit of more than $800 million. Larry Mazzola, a member of the San Francisco Rec and Parks Commission, was the only 'no' vote when it came up before the commission at their February meeting. "The only people who won't be charged are the coyotes if we start charging to park there," Mazzola said. "That's one of the jewels in San Francisco that is still free. I understand they need money, but I don't think they should do it on San Franciscan's backs." Barak Aparton says the department is looking at developing other revenue streams such as charging a fee for tennis courts or finding a golf course contractor. "Without new revenue we're looking at cuts to core services, things like pool hours, summer camps, maintenance of parks and playgrounds. This proposal helps us avoid those painful choices." What they're saying Some residents say they support keeping the services and charging for parking. Others say the city should find funds elsewhere. "Every day three dollars. One time not expensive, but every day that's big money for me." Mei Lai, of San Francisco said, adding she is retired and on a fixed income, and enjoys coming to the park daily to walk and stay healthy. "It feels a little nickel and diming to me to do this. They charge us taxes in many other ways. I don't think they should do this," Julie Feldstein, a San Francisco resident, who says she comes to walk her dog, but would not come to the park if they began charging. What's next The issue will be up for the mayor, Board of Supervisors and the public to weigh in on, as the budget details are debated in the coming months.
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- Bloomberg
San Francisco Mayor's Ultra-Rich Allies Could Become a Liability
Welcome to Bloomberg's California Edition—covering all the events shaping one of the world's biggest economies and its global influence. Join us each week as we put a unique lens on the Golden State. Sign up here if you're not already on the list. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie is playing a risky game to turn his city around. Ideas and investments from his circle of wealthy business titans have scored him several leadership wins. But if those alliances start looking too friendly, his credibility could suffer.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
‘A new era': Crypto billionaire's $9.4M gift funding new SFPD surveillance hub
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie thanked a local tech billionaire on Thursday for funding a new downtown headquarters for the San Francisco Police Department's Real-Time Investigation Center (RTIC). The center houses technological resources that assist police officers in the field in real-time, such as drones, automated license plate readers and public safety cameras. The $9.4 million in funding for the new RTIC space was donated by San Francisco-based enterprise blockchain company Ripple, city officials said. The company's cofounder and CEO, Chris Larsen, said the enhanced center will 'help usher in a new era of accountability.' The current location is inside the Hall of Justice and operates with 'outdated wiring and other infrastructure challenges,' according to the mayor's office. The new location is said to feature updated equipment and other enhancements donated by the San Francisco Police Community Foundation and Crankstart. 'RTIC has already supported hundreds of arrests, with crime down 30% citywide, and with this new facility, the SFPD will have the tools and the technology it needs to take this work to the next level and help our officers keep our streets safe,' Lurie said in a news release Thursday. 'I want to thank Chris Larsen for his continued dedication to our police officers and the safety of all San Franciscans.' The center contributed to more than 500 arrests in 2024, according to the mayor's office. Outgoing Police Chief Bill Scott shared similar sentiments as Larsen, calling the upgraded headquarters 'the beginning of a new era of policing in San Francisco.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
