by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
The clock is ticking toward the Super Bowl and to prepare Jacksonville for its hosting duties, everyone will be asked to pitch in, especially those downtown during the Super City Clean Up.
As part of a Jan. 22 citywide sprucing up effort commissioned by the City’s Clean it Up Green it Up Division, Downtown Vision, Inc. executive director Terry Lorince said business owners on both sides of the St. Johns River will be contacted and, between now and then, asked to identify, “problem areas” near their businesses and also take special care to keep as clean as possible.
“The message we’re trying to send out is fairly simple,” said Lorince. ”Downtown is going to be the front line for over 100,000 visitors during the Super Bowl. We need to make sure it shines as brightly as possible so we can show it off as best we can.”
For her part, Lorince said she will serve as the liaison between those businesses and the City.
Clean it Up coordinator Sue Jantz said downtown would be among the most important during the clean up, though all areas of town will be essential to the project’s success.
“I love the idea of taking care of and making clean our downtown. It’s a very important area,” said Jantz. “Showing a sense of pride like that is absolutely wonderful. I’ve seen it in many cities across the country and I know that Jacksonville has that same pride. It’s inspiring.”
Jantz said participants in the Super City Clean Up will be eligible to earn a special commemorative pin, available that day at Metropolitan Park.
“We’re very excited about the pins,” she said. “We think they’re a great way to show our appreciation to the residents and business owners who take part in making our city shine.”
Jantz said those interested in getting a pin should be prepared to document their service hours that day and show up early because supplies will be limited.
“All you really need to do is confirm with us the hours you worked and activities you performed,” she said. “It’s a simple as that and you get to enjoy a cleaner city and also take home a something truly unique.
“We hope everyone chooses to participate.”
For more information log onto the City’s website at www.coj.net or call 630-CITY.