Pennsylvania state Rep. Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia) and local business owners recently participated in a news conference highlighting support for his ongoing street-cleaning program in lower northeast Philadelphia.
The program affects the commercial corridors of Bustleton, Castor and Rising Sun avenues. It was launched last year with businesses in the 202nd Legislative District providing resources to Jidan Cleaning, the business leading clean-up efforts.
“Business corridors set the whole tone for a community,” Solomon said. “Until you get that right, you can’t begin to start tackling the big things.”
The program is in conjunction with two bills Solomon is co-sponsoring (House Bills 1812 and 1813) that would address chronic nuisance issues that cause problems for downtowns and neighborhoods, he said. The legislation would increase fines and penalties for chronic nuisance issues. It also would remit a portion of the fines back to the municipalities for litter remediation efforts.
Speakers at the news conference include project partners Patricia Claybrook from Jidan Cleaning and Andrea Hodge from Oxford Circle CCDA, as well as Sal and Angela Nunez from Bucann, Antowine D. Harris from Murano Deli, Dr. Louis A. Brown, and Orlando Jacome from Tio Pepe.
Al Sham Restaurant, New Olympia House Restaurant and Picanha Brazilian Steakhouse also support the street-cleaning program.