It’s a proven fact that litter and a dirty environment have implications on the local economy, but it may surprise you to learn how cleanliness can affect your wellbeing, too. A recent study concluded that people experience a decrease in feelings of depression by about 40 percent in areas where either greening, cleaning, or trash-removal projects are in place. Who knew that a dirty environment could have a detrimental effect on our sense of safety, and security, and overall quality of life.
Well, Grove’s Business Improvement District Operations Team – that’s who!
This team of Block-By-Block “Ambassadors” clearly understand that attention to detail is essential in maintaining the high levels of foot traffic we enjoy in the District. Clean trash barrels, well paved streets, and appealing sidewalks make people feel good about their time spent shopping, dining, and socializing in the Grove.
That’s why, as part of an ongoing maintenance initiative, our Block-by-Block team consistently and meticulously walks the district to identify locations needing repair work, cleaning, and general tidying up.
Collaboration with outside agencies, utility companies, and city departments is also key in making our District shine – organizations such as the City of Miami Public Works department, Miami-Dade County Water & Sewer Department (WASDA), and utilities like AT&T, FPL, and Comcast, among others, to facilitate and expedite necessary repairs along our streets and sidewalks.
Let’s take a look at some projects currently being managed by the BID’s Operations Team, headed up by Operations Manager Sully Silva.
- Repair and replacement of multiple banner signs bracketed to light poles.
- Updating Coconut Grove branding signage along Tigertail to start.
- Working with providers to level pavers throughout the district. We’ve already identified areas most in need of attention, but please reach out if you see a problem area. Meanwhile, look out for caution signs surrounding these work areas.
- Managing repair and replacement of rubber mulch and Flexipave along Main Highway.
- In response to concerns expressed by several merchants, several missing parking signs along Main Highway have been replaced. We are also working with parking enforcement to boost their presence in the area.
- Painting and repositioning bicycle racks based on usage demand.
- Spearheading replacement of damaged traffic signs (i.e., pedestrian and stop signs).
- When fiber optic cables recently were spotted dangling onto the sidewalk near Post Office, we contacted ATT to rectify this unsightly hazard; and separately, we coordinated with the City of Miami to repair five city street lights. These are but a few examples of how the Block-By-Block Smart system works in addressing issues that may be outside the BID’s jurisdiction, yet successfully spark action by utility providers, and the City of Miami, the County among other agencies.
Ongoing Initiatives: Cleaning of debris covering stormwater drains, power washing/refreshing of trash receptacles, and repair of potholes.