A clean business district attracts repeat patrons.
At least that?s the idea behind a new beautification program launched by the Federal Hill Main Street Association, the nonprofit association in charge of revitalizing the South Baltimore neighborhood.
Called “Keep Federal Hill Clean and Green,” the multilevel effort focuses on education, enforcement, maintenance and beautification of the neighborhood.
“People like to shop where it is clean and safe,” said Sonny Morstein, president of the South Baltimore Business Association and owner of Morstein?s Jewelers. “People?s first impression is what they leave with. If they see a business district that is dirty, that?s what they?re going to leave with and they?re not going to come back or say nice things about the area.”
Bonnie Crockett, Federal Hill?s executive director, said that the program has already been successful in working with the city to change trash collection times to 10 a.m. so that businesses that close in the afternoon will not have to place their trash out the night before when restaurants and bars are filled with patrons.
“Trash is an issue everywhere in the city and is the No. 1 complaint you hear,” Crockett said. “It?s a problem with city living, but that?s not to say you don?t do something about it.”
Crockett said that so far the organization has spent between $4,000 and $5,000 to place flower pots throughout the business district and the business association has spent about $15,000 to install hanging baskets in the neighborhood. But Crockett said the true costs will be in the man-hours that volunteers dedicate to the project.
But while part of the effort is on beautification, Crockett said the major push will be on education. As part of the program, the organization plans to develop brochures and fliers and will visit area schools to educate students on litter prevention and have them sign pledges to not litter.
“We want to reach our neighbors at a young age and change their habits basically,” Crockett said. “Once you?ve got someone actively committed to preventing litter and keeping their neighborhood clean, they?re going to be conscious of it on a daily basis. And of course this effort will be ongoing indefinitely. Keeping a neighborhood clean is not something you do once and hope it stays that way.”
More information
» Federal Hill Main Street
1105 Light St.
Baltimore, MD 21230
410-727-4500
www.historicfederalhill.org
