City expands cleanup program to Nob Hill

‘Block by Block’ campaign helps tackle trash, graffiti

City leaders are expanding the Solid Waste Management Department’s “Block by Block” cleanup and safety program to Albuquerque’s Nob Hill neighborhood.

Residents and visitors to Downtown Albuquerque have seen these bright-yellow shirts donning “ambassadors” for several years, as they work to sweep up trash, clean graffiti, and keep an eye out for potential problems.

Those services are now available in the Nob Hill neighborhood with the addition of a new office at 3712 Central SE. City leaders included $150,000 in this year’s Solid Waste Management Department Clean Cities program budget to implement the expansion.

“Last year during the budget cycle, we made a commitment to the businesses and residents along Central Avenue that as the orange barrels were being pulled up (from the ART project), people’s first experience back in Nob Hill was one that they would want to repeat time and time again,” Councilor Pat Davis said during a news conference last week.

“We’re proud to roll out our new Block by Block team that are partnering with our businesses to keep Nob Hill and Central Avenue clean, safe and welcoming to all of our visitors.”

In addition to duties that address basic cleanliness issues — such as litter, graffiti, weeds, leaves and power washing — ambassadors also can help with visitor inquiries about the area.

Need a burger? Need parking? Need to find a New Mexico T-shirt? No problem. These folks have the answers.

“We really appreciate the work they’ve done in the past in Downtown and now the Nob Hill area will get some of the benefits from the Downtown area,” said Billy Gallegos, SWMD’s associate director for Clean Cities programs. “A lot of our tourists come through this area. They’re going to see a lot cleaner area.”

Block by Block is a national program that started in 2006 and has grown to include 103 districts in cities across the country.