BALTIMORE, MD. (APRIL 16, 2013) – Today, Mayor Rawlings-Blake was joined by City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young, Councilman Carl Stokes, City employees, sponsors, and community leaders to announce the City’s second annual Clean Community Competition. The contest, established last year, offers participating communities an opportunity to win a $5,000 cash prize for their efforts to clean up their neighborhood. In last year’s competition 72 communities from across Baltimore participated, and eight winners shared in the $24,000 prize.

“We need residents to renew their commitment to keeping the city clean so that we can attract and retain people to live and work in our great neighborhoods,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “The Clean Community Competition brings people together to clean streets, clean waterways, and clean neighborhoods—and by doing so, they become more connected to their community and to each other.”

The Clean Community Competition challenges communities throughout Baltimore to get involved in cleaning up their neighborhoods on a daily basis. Communities will be judged on cleaning efforts and criteria including an overall increase in recycling tonnage, removing debris from lots, cleaning streets and alleys, clearing and sweeping storm drains, and—new this year—greening or beautification efforts. Extra points will be awarded for adopting vacant lots through the Power In Dirt initiative and for installing clean-themed storm drain stencils.

A judging committee will assess improvements and overall cleanliness in September, and the winners will be announced at the kickoff of the Mayor’s Fall Clean Up on October 26.  Neighborhoods in each of four sections of the city will compete for first place prizes of $5,000. Second place finishers will win $1,000.

Communities can register for the contest through Wednesday, May 15.  The judging period for the contest starts on May 20 and ends on September 20. Winners will be announced on October 16. For additional information or to register for the competition, community association leaders should call 311 or visit http://baltimorecity.gov/Government/AgenciesDepartments/PublicWorks/CleanCommunityCompetition.aspx.

2012 Clean Community Contest Winners

Northwest:

1. Greater Remington Improvement Association
2. Reservoir Hill Improvement Council

Northeast:

1. Greater Greenmount Community Association, Inc.
2. Chinquapin Park Improvement Association, Inc.

Southeast:

1. New Greenmount West Community Association
2. Upper Fells Point Improvement Association

Southwest:

1. Gwynns Falls Business & Homeownership Group
2. Winchester Improvement Association