By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
St. Joseph residents and businesses are being encouraged to adopt a city block and help improve the city’s appearance.
Appearance is a key, according to St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce President Natalie Redmond who says the Adopt-A-Block program grew out of the latest survey of community residents.
“One of the areas that was particularly alarming was the area of the perception of community appearance,” Redmond tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “So, it had drastically turned over the last couple of years from the perception of what the community thinks of community appearance.”
Both groups and businesses are encouraged to participate.
This is more than just a “pick up the trash” program. Redmond says the Adopt-A-Block program encourages clean-up as well as light construction, patchwork, even painting. Also, the schedule is up to the group.
“Some are doing it once a year. Some might do it once a month. It’s really up to you how you adopt that block. But the idea behind it is that you’re helping with the community appearance; a little deeper than trash pickup. We’re hoping that you’ll really try to work hard at making sure that you change the appearance of the outwardness of that block.”
Redmond says businesses have found that working to improve a city block can be a great team builder.
“There’s an instant gratification that comes with it. A lot of us do work that maybe we don’t see that instant gratification and doing a neighborhood cleanup is such a great teambuilder,” Redmond says. “So, you’re giving back to your community and you’re working as a team.”
Those interested should go to Imagine St. Joseph 2040 to register.