Wilmington clean up starts Hilltop Rises effort

Efforts to improve Wilmington’s West Side section continue this weekend with a community spring cleaning project focused on the 4th Street corridor.

Residents and community groups are expected to take part in a beautification project Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting near the intersection of 4th and Rodney St. The work day will be followed by a community barbecue.

“This initiative is designed to get residents out caring about their community again,” said Pastor Lottie Lee-Davis of Be Ready Church and Community Development Corporation. The church is one of the groups helping organize the project. “This clean up is to show that although we have challenges, we still care and want changes for our family, children and community.”

In 2012, the West Side Grows group identified the 4th Street corridor as a dangerous place with a high incidence crime and unclean streets. The group targeted the area for revitalization and has been meeting with residents, business owners and others to discuss how to make improvements. This weekend’s clean up is the first step in that improvement attempt that organizers are now calling “Hilltop Rises.”

“We are hoping to eventually get solar trash cans, flower pots, banners, better lighting, improvements to our park and safe activities for our youth,” Lee-Davis said.