Mayor Nancy McFarlane and DRA Board Chairman Skip Hall Announces New Clean Machines at Press Conference, September 17
DRA adds new clean machines to further enhance clean sidewalks
RALEIGH, NC (September 15, 2014) – On Wednesday, September 17 from 12:45 pm-1:15 pm, the Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA) is holding a press conference with Mayor Nancy McFarlane in City Plaza, located at the 400 block of Fayetteville St, to introduce two new Green Machines® as part of the Clean Ambassador Program initiative. Acquired by the DRA, the machines provide efficient and effective waste management capabilities of in an effort to maintain pristine, walkable streets, enhancing downtown’s quality of life.
“Keeping a downtown clean is both a quality of life enhancement and contributes to our economic success,” said David Diaz, President and CEO of the DRA. “Investors are looking for a well-managed campus when they visit our downtown. Providing a 7-day a week cleaning service will present downtown in its best light.”
Built by the Tennant Corporation, the Green Machines® will be operated by the Clean Ambassadors. Currently, DRA Clean Ambassadors on foot pick up over 11,000 pounds of litter annually. To accommodate downtown’s strong activity, the new clean machine expects to exceed 47,300 pounds, over a 330 % increase from last year. The Number of blocks cleaned per week will increase by approximately 140 percent or 43 additional blocks.
As Downtown Raleigh continues to stay active as the hub for outdoor activity, the sidewalks and streets will need more attention and maintenance. To accommodate downtown’s strong activity, these machines have the ability to compact waste to one third its original size reducing dump cycles, which means more areas can be cleaned in less time. In addition, the machines contain a clean and safe attachment for the removal of waste to a separate wet tank and spray and vacuum a scented disinfectant.
A clean city is part of our economic development strategy so that investors can see firsthand how we maintain our city and a pristine condition. Home to over 5,000 residents, over 170 restaurants and bars, and over 40 retail stores, Downtown Raleigh continues to stay active as the hub for outdoor activity which means sidewalks and streets require extra attention and maintenance. These machines have the ability to compact waste to one third its original size reducing dump cycles and have great reach ability to clean under planters, around benches, and in tight areas and sweep sidewalks and other public spaces. In addition, the machines follow up with a vacuum, spraying a scented disinfectant on sidewalks.
The DRA personalized the machines with a specially painted DRA primary color red adorned with their logo. To further personalize this new and exciting initiative, the DRA encouraged the public to put a stamp on the new machines with the #namethemachine contest, receiving over 100 entries. Selected by a special committee, the two names will be announced at the press conference by Mayor Nancy McFarlane.
For more information regarding the press conference, please contact David Diaz at (919) 821-6974 or at daviddaiz@downtownraleigh.org.
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About Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA)
DRA is an award-winning nonprofit organization whose mission is to continue the revitalization of Raleigh’s downtown. The Alliance enhances the quality of life and positively impacts the economic success of downtown through five services: 1. Safety, Hospitality & Clean Ambassadors; 2. Strategic Branding & Community Communications; 3. Special Events Production & City Plaza Programming; 4. Retail Attraction & Merchant Promotions; and 5. Strategic Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement. For more information about DRA, please visit www.youRhere.com.