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Clean streets require moving cars in University District

Spring cleaning is coming to the University District starting in March.  The City of 
Columbus, in cooperation with The Ohio State University, Campus Partners and the university 
community, will sweep the streets in the core student neighborhood east of High Street as a 
pilot project during spring break.  Due to traffic and parking congestion, streets in this 
neighborhood haven't been cleaned for at least six years.  The key to success will be moving 
cars off the streets for the sweeping.


"The university area has always presented unique challenges to our street cleaning crews," 
said Thomas B. Merritt, director of the city's Public Service Department.  "Now with the 
help of the university community, businesses in the area, and other interested individuals, 
we feel confident we'll be able to have a presence in the OSU area and aid in its 
rejuvenation."


The area targeted for sweeping is bounded by East 11th Avenue on the south, Woodruff Avenue 
on the north, High Street on the west and Summit Street on the east.  Pearl Alley, as well 
as the parking bays between Pearl and High, are included.


Under the sweeping plan, the core student neighborhood will be cleaned seasonally to 
coincide with student breaks between academic quarters.  The first cleaning will be Monday, 
March 18, and Tuesday, March 19, from 3 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.  Although only two days 
should be needed to cover the area, March 20 will be used if additional time is required.  
Parking meters will be "bagged," and temporary "No Parking" signage will be in place prior 
to the scheduled cleaning.  All vehicles must be moved off the streets by 12:01 a.m. Monday, 
March 18, or face being towed to the City Impound Lot at the owner's expense.


Working with the city, Ohio State will offer free parking to students and residents with 
vehicles living in the street-sweeping area.  Students and residents may begin removing 
their vehicles from the core area Wednesday, March 13, and relocate them in one of two 
university parking lots along Lane Avenue.  The Ohio State lots are located at the southwest 
corner of Neil and Lane avenues around the Jesse Owens Recreation Center North and at the 
southwest corner of Tuttle Park Place and Lane Avenue immediately north of Converse Hall.


No Ohio State parking decal is necessary.  If students will be traveling over spring break, 
they should call Ohio State's Traffic and Parking office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 
292-9341 and press "0" to report that their vehicles will be left for an extended time.

City and community representatives will review the success and problems with the street 
sweeping at a public hearing on March 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Ohio State's 
College of Law, 55 W. 12th Ave.  Citizens are invited to offer advice and criticism.


The city is planning to begin twice monthly cleaning of the arterial streets throughout the 
University District in April.  More details will be announced later.

For more information or questions, contact Steve Sterrett at Campus Partners at 
294-7300 or sterrett.1@osu.edu