GSSD launches long-awaited street-cleaning effort

Less than three weeks after it received unanimous City Council support, the Germantown Special Services District initiated its street-cleaning efforts on Maplewood Mall, neighboring Armat Street and beyond this Monday.

GSSD Board Member Joseph Corrigan said a crew from Ready Willing & Able (RWA) arrived at the scene on Monday and worked from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day since.

This informal relaunch marks the culmination of an effort that started last September, said Corrigan, formerly the spokesman for Eighth District City Councilwoman Cindy Bass.

RWA, a transitional work-and-housing program for formerly homeless men working toward independent living, was contracted for the street-cleaning services on an interim basis as GSSD works “toward hiring permanent ‘Avenue Ambassadors.'”

The GSSD business-improvement group assesses a mandatory fee on commercial properties within the district’s boundaries.

Its area fronts on Germantown Avenue between Coulter and High streets, Chelten between Baynton and Morris, along with Maplewood Mall, Market Square and sections of Greene Street and Wayne, Pulaski and Maplewood avenues.