Let’s Clean-up Downtown

Not too long ago the Red River Valley’s community ethic gained international attention under the most taxing of circumstances. We refer, of course, to the great flood we recently endured. During that time, we set the bar on what it means to give a damn about community. In a number of flood-related articles, HPR emphasized that we ought to not rely on impending doom to put the community into action.

There was a hero lying dormant in all of us—it just needed a vessel to facilitate its journey into reality. Since then, for many of us, the euphoria of civic virtue seems to have subsided. We cannot let it die, and now we offer you a chance to unleash the hero within once more. The time has come to test your mettle, Fargo-Moorhead.

The High Plains Reader, in association with AM1100 The Flag, the Downtown Neighborhood Association and the Downtown Community Partnership, are sponsoring “The Great Downtown Clean-up,” on Tuesday, June 30, at 5:30 p.m., starting at the US Bank parking lot, which should quell any aching desire for civic involvement (at least for a while). Like the name implies, The Great Downtown Clean-up intends on giving our beloved downtown the shine and luster she deserves. All you have to do is show up with some elbow grease and a desire to get back into action.

What began as a suggestion in an HPR editorial by John Strand has quickly gained momentum. Through the collective efforts of the aforementioned parties, this idea is nearing reality, and we all shall reap its splendors. Thanks to our cosponsors, The Clean-up has gained form and configuration, and we have a structured procedure that will be efficient and effective. They’ve brought concepts of uncleanliness to the table we hadn’t even thought of yet.

According to DNA President Norm Robinson, spray paint on the pavement (markers for power companies, etc.) is a particular nuisance to remove. Most annoyingly so, for some odd reason, is red spray paint. Robinson attests that try as you might, red spray paint simply smears and refuses to fade. It seems to cling to concrete with the passion and fury that the shade represents.

Regarding this phenomenon, John Strand remarked, “Painting the town red takes on a whole new meaning.”

Speaking of painting the town red, you can still see some remnant blood spattered on downtown sidewalks. The Zombie Crawl was a blast, but it’s only fair that we clean up afterwards. You can even dress up like a zombie while you do it (sans blood this time—we know that’s a tall order).

This is just a few of many of the Clean-up’s targets, which also include weeds in the sidewalk cracks, gum, cigarette butts and much, much more.

According to Robinson, “We’re going to get all that out of there… We’re going to go through with backpack blowers and blow everything out of the doorways and along the edges of the buildings, and however many volunteers we have will come in behind that and clean it up, sweep it up, and get the cigarette butts out of the cracks…”

There is much to be done, yet collectively it is but a small feat—one that we can all enjoy. Downtown businesses are getting involved as well. One of our last phase efforts is to encourage businesses to adopt downtown blocks. The concept, in theory, will work much like the adopt-a-highway system, but instead of a stretch of road, you’re adopting a piece of downtown.

So far Dempsey’s, the Upfront Gallery, the Roberts Street Studio and a number of others have already expressed interest. Bert Meyers (who co-owns Dempsey’s along with his twin brother Klaus), said “It would be cool to get all those people downtown to clean it all in one swoop… I wish people would try to clean their fronts and back all the time. A lot of people don’t concentrate on the back alley.”

While business owners are doing their part, we need volunteers who are ready to get into the nitty-gritty. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and take to the streets. We hope to see you there Fargo-Moorhead.