Saginaw’s second annual “Team Up to Clean Up” is seeking volunteers to gather at City Hall beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 14Mayor Brenda Moore and organizers are hoping an ease in covid restrictions, combined with increased public awareness, will help build upon last year’s inaugural turnout of nearly 100 residents.
Workers will fan out to an array of sites on both sides of the river, equipped with t-shirts, work gloves and garbage bags provided by a Saginaw Community Foundation grant. They will return at 11 a.m. for a picnic lunch donated by Woody’s Hot Dogs.
The city is pockmarked by more than 2,000 abandoned lots that range from totally overgrown to neatly trimmed. The Team Up to Clean Up intent is for pickup of litter and trash that is splayed mostly along abandoned properties and busy roadways, in projects that people of all ages are able to take part.
Work crews are assigned to more major needs for cutting and clearing. One question remains how much ARPA money the City Council eventually will reserve for major mowing and dead-tree-and brush removal, from among a record-setting $52 million in federal aid.
Another issue remains illegal dumping in isolated areas. City officials say hidden video cameras are in place at the worst trouble spots, leading to arrests seeking penalties of up to $500 or 90 days in jail. A hot line for citizens to file reports and evidence is (989) 759-1530.
Anyone who wishes to register their groups for May 14 activities may phone 759-1540 or file via inspections@saginaw-mi.com. These also are contacts for donors of cash or cleanup equipment.
