Districts demand increased levels of service

Fed up with what they perceive as subpar maintenance and cleaning by the city, both the Downtown Improvement District and St. Armands Circle Business Improvement District are planning to spend more district dollars to achieve the level of service they want.

J MAR Cleaning Services began work this week on a $2,407 DID-funded sidewalk cleaning project in the DID district

“The DID decided to have the sidewalks cleaned because the city only pays to have Main Street and Lemon Avenue sidewalks cleaned about twice a year,” said DID Operations Manager John Moran.

And as soon as next month, the DID could decide whether it wants to spend more to approve a new landscape maintenance services contract.

In an effort to perform more efficient services, the DID will receive bids from contractors that are willing to provide downtown landscape maintenance services by Sept. 29 (see below).

“The goal is to enhance the area’s maintenance beyond what the city historically does,” Moran said.
The BID is following a similar path.

Next week, city staff will put out a request for proposals for contractors interested in submitting bids for an enhanced trash service pickup on St. Armands Circle.

Currently, the city performs patrol and cleanup once a week in the Circle medians and parks.

St. Armands Circle Business Improvement District Chairman Marty Rappaport reported at a Sept. 13 BID meeting that Circle merchants want trash service to be picked up at least four times a week in season and two times a week the rest of the year.

“Our next budget will include enhanced maintenance for the Circle,” Rappaport said.

DID Enhanced Services
The Downtown Improvement District is seeking bids for enhanced levels of services downtown. The scope of work includes a landscape contractor service that:

• Controls and monitors all aspects of the DID area’s landscaping
• Patrols all landscape beds for debris
• Fertilizes plants, trees and shrubs
• Sprays for insects
• Trims and prunes all trees and bushes
• Edges plant beds and walking areas
• Mows no less than 38 times per year
• Keeps all areas free of weeds
• Replaces annual flowers four times a year
• Monitors and maintains the irrigation system regularly
• Maintains DID lighting and twinkle lights