On Tuesday, April 16th, city officials, including Mayor Jim Kenney, announced the launch of a mechanical street cleaning pilot program. The program will target six neighborhoods ranging from Southwest Philadelphia to Kensington.
The areas in Southwest that will be covered are from Woodland Avenue to Kingsessing Avenue, and 49th street to Cemetery Avenue.
“Watching our city get dumped on day after day seriously burns me up,” Mayor Kenney said in a statement. “It is the reason why I have fought to bring back a residential mechanical sweeping program.”
The pilot program will run weekly from April through November and will include the use of mechanical-broom cleaning, as well as backpack and hand-held blowers, officials said.
At a news conference, Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams encouraged residents to move their vehicles, although it is not required. “We understand residents are challenged with moving their vehicles in areas that are densely populated,” Williams said, “Some residential areas are tight, and finding parking spots can be challenging.
