City plans cleanups in 2 neighborhoods this week

Two Sioux Falls neighborhoods are part of an annual cleanup this week.

Project NICE, which stands for Neighborhood Improvement Complaint Easement, was created more than 30 years ago to assist neighborhoods with code enforcement concerns.

This year’s project has boundaries of 18th Street to Interstate 229 between Kiwanis and West avenues.

Shortly after the start of Project NICE, the city created Project KEEP — Keep Environmental Enhancement Permanent. On an annual basis, designated areas get a helping hand in the form of a cleanup by city employees working as volunteers.

Project KEEP this year is the area within the boundaries of 26th Street to I-229 between Minnesota and Cliff avenues.

The cleanup projects run through Friday.

Property owners should have received mailings detailing the specifics of the cleanup. Check the city of Sioux Falls website to search this year’s boundaries or track cleanup progress.

If weather conditions do not permit cleanup, an alternate week will be chosen. Post-cleanup, a survey ensures that environmental concerns are reviewed and the appropriate people are notified, according to a statement from the city.

“Through the implementation of these projects, the city has been able to keep the number of neighborhood nuisance cases static through population growth,” it said.

Projects NICE and KEEP focus on helping residents and are not meant to assist businesses or replace routine disposal costs. The debris removed from the curb should be only what has been owned and discarded by the resident at that address. It should not contain household garbage, animal waste, hazardous materials, electronics or create a greater cleanup effort than was previously there. Keeping recyclable items such as tires, appliances, branches and mattresses in separate piles will assist the crews with removal.