Clean Streets Program Clears Way for Clean Up Day

TORONTO, April 21, 2014 /CNW/ - The Toronto Entertainment District BIA (TOED BIA) has launched its fourth annual Clean Streets Program in partnership with the City of Toronto Shelter, Support and Housing Administration. Toronto's long winter and a greater accumulation of litter have prompted the District to commence the program's employment of homeless shelter residents much earlier than previous years. The Clean Streets team's advance focus on litter, tree care and graffiti will ensure that the Clean Toronto Together Campaign has a clearer path when they tackle the Corporate & School Clean-Up day on Friday, April 25, 2014.

According to Robert Reed, Employability Specialist, Shelter, Support & Housing Admin, HPI, "The Entertainment District BIA Clean Streets program is a great example of a supportive employment program. Through this initiative, clients are able to develop the employability skills that will directly contribute to securing full-time work. In addition, the positive impact this opportunity has on a participant's confidence and self-esteem cannot be understated."

The Clean Streets Program runs in the District throughout the summer and operates in conjunction with several TOED BIA members who lend their support in a variety of ways: Tim Horton's at 322 King St. West provides snacks; YMCA of Greater Toronto in Metro Hall provides lunch; SoHo Metropolitan Hotel, Crocodile Rock and Steam Whistle Brewing provide garbage disposal; the City of Toronto Shelter at 129 Peter St. provides cleaning equipment and materials storage.

"We are pleased that the BIA is supplementing the cleaning of our streets, particularly in the summer months when there is additional foot traffic in this part of the city. With our new Susur Lee and Wahlburger's restaurants opening soon, we want to ensure the neighbourhood is looking its best. We are pleased to offer our garbage receptacles for refuse disposal," said David Kelley, General Manager, SoHo Metropolitan Hotel and Residences.

The Clean Streets team duties include: litter removal; reporting on private property problem areas; small scale graffiti and poster removal; tree sign installation; conducting tree audits; maintaining BIA street furniture (benches, tree grates, poles, pole wraps and planters); and responding to BIA Member clean up requests.

According to Janice Solomon, Executive Director of the Toronto Entertainment District Business Improvement Area, "We are excited to have the Clean Streets team back for a fourth year. The team does a fantastic job to help beautify the District. Their work is an integral part of attracting people to the area and contributes to our mandate to improve the economic and cultural vitality of the area. BIA member support of this program truly makes this a community initiative."

Earth Day, April 22, kicks off Toronto Earth Week that runs from April 22 through to April 27, 2014. The Entertainment District BIA is encouraging all of its members to join the Clean Streets team that will run through to October 2014 and participate in the Clean Toronto Together Campaign at the Corporate & School Clean-Up day on Friday, April 25, 2014. Participating members are asked to meet at nearby parks and squares in order to contribute to keeping the District green and clean this year.

For more info on Clean Toronto Together visit: http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=d9236056e60c3410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=8131fbfa98491410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD

About the Toronto Entertainment District Business Improvement Area:

Established in 2008, TOED's mandate is to promote, improve and preserve a dynamic area of Toronto. Benefitting from economic, environmental and social factors driving downtown growth, the Entertainment District is in the midst of a renaissance, firmly establishing itself as a thriving and vibrant district for living, creating, working and entertainment. From Air Canada Centre to the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, the Entertainment District includes many of Toronto's most iconic buildings. In the heart of the District is the CN Tower, Steam Whistle Brewing, Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, MetroCentre, Rogers Centre, Roy Thomson Hall, Princess of Wales Theatre, Royal Alexandra Theatre and TIFF Bell Lightbox. www.torontoed.com

SOURCE: Toronto Entertainment District Business Improvement Area

Janice Solomon, Executive Director, Toronto Entertainment District BIA, 416-926-1337, [email protected], torontoed.com facebook.com/ torontoed, twitter: @toronto_ed