Golden Triangle - Major Spring Cleaning, Landscaping as Tourists Arrive |

The Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID) will usher in Washington’s busiest season with increased recycling opportunities; gleaming sidewalks; freshly painted light poles, bike racks and trashcans; and groomed green spaces.

The BID’s 4th annual “Clean, Green & Golden” spring-cleaning week will occur March 24-31. Greening of Golden Triangle includes the addition of new recycling receptacles in a pilot program across the BID. Ten new cans will be co-located with existing trashcans for the purpose of collecting recycling. The District’s single-stream recycling guidelines mean paper, aluminum, glass and plastic are comingled and collected in a single bin. Installation of the first 10 new receptacles will take place on Saturday, March 24. Some key locations include: the southeast corner of Farragut Square Park, the southeast corner of Duke Ellington Park, and 1369 Connecticut Avenue (adjacent to Dupont Circle). Data on recycling volume will be collected through the spring to guide the number and locations of the next phase of recycling installations.

The deep cleaning includes pressure washing of sidewalks – from building facades to curbs – to remove dirt, stains and chewing gum. While the BID and its team of service-oriented ambassadors take pride in the fact that the neighborhood’s 43 blocks are well-kept and frequently cleaned throughout the year, this dedicated week allows for an extra focus on deep cleaning in advance of Washington’s busy tourist season. Cleaning crews will more than double their time spent per block face. In addition, the team will focus on the clean up of one of the BID’s seven parks each day.

“We are proud of the clean, green and truly golden environment the BID offers to our neighbors and visitors throughout the year, but we are especially pleased to dedicate a full week to intense spring cleaning,” said BID Executive Director Leona Agouridis. “As we kick off our city’s most celebrated season, Golden Triangle will showcase gleaming sidewalks with freshly painted streetscape fixtures, well-kept tree boxes and picture-perfect parks.”

To maintain the “gold standard” of service for the more than 86,000 people who work in the BID daily as well as its millions of annual visitors, pedestrian amenities like newspaper boxes, light poles, bike racks and trash receptacles will be reviewed for proper presentation and utility. Newspaper boxes no longer receiving new editions will be removed and new bike racks will be installed. Light poles and traffic boxes will receive a fresh coat of paint and tree boxes on K Street will be mulched.

The BID will also replace and freshen up its marketing materials for the “If You Burn It, Urn It” campaign that encourages proper disposal of cigarette butts in dedicated urns throughout the BID.

Just In Time For Cherry Blossom Tourists

As Washington prepares for its annual onslaught of springtime tourists, this year will likely break records as the famed Cherry Blossom festival marks its centennial and extends its usual 16-day celebration to a full five weeks. The renowned event typically brings about one million visitors to the city, but this year’s extended time frame and significant anniversary mean an increased number of tourists from across the country and the globe. While these visitors will reach locations across the District, Golden Triangle expects to be among the most frequented of neighborhoods with attractions that include grand hotels, notable restaurants, unique retail offerings and the premier stretch of Connecticut Avenue between the White House and Dupont Circle.  Blossoms are predicted to be at their peak from March 24-30.