Greeks to adopt the streets

As part of a project that has been in the works for some time, the UW Interfraternity Councils and Panhellenic Association are looking into adopting the streets north of the University as part of Seattle Public Utilities' "Adopt-A-Street" program.

There are about 270 groups in Seattle with designated adopted street areas, including businesses, clubs, church groups and individuals. These groups or persons have pledged to clean up litter and trash off the roads.

"People can adopt any area large or small, but we encourage them to do the traditional adopting option, whereby they agree to a two-year commitment of adopting at least a mile of land or larger, and go out and clean it at least four times a year," Adopt-A-Street program coordinator Andrea Cuccaro said.

The process is not only beneficial for the adopters, but also the greater community.

"It helps to make the city of Seattle cleaner and greener for everyone, and you can definitely tell the difference," Cuccaro said. "A lot of people want to foster a sense of community, some businesses can advertise themselves and others, I'm sure, just like to see their names on a sign."

Senior Connor Carroll, vice president of Greek relations and committee chair for the program, said he hopes fraternities and sororities will be more active in cleaning the area than as suggested in the proposed guidelines.

"To me, four times a year seems like nothing," he said. "We have a responsibility to the area that has been a long time coming."

Though the cleaning has not yet begun, Carroll hopes to kick it off during the Greek Week celebration, which begins May 6.

"Right now, we're in the process of tying down the first official cleanup date, and we're shooting for our day of service during Greek Week," he said. "I'm hoping that we can at least get organized a couple of times a month afterward."

The Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Association have applied to adopt the area from 17th Ave Northeast and 22nd Ave Northeast and Northeast 45th Street to Northeast 52nd Street, exempting any streets that have already been adopted by certain chapters of the Greek community or other clubs and organizations.

A recent newsletter sent out to University Park community members cited the UW's North of 45th working group, which deals with issues in the area surrounding the University to encourage other groups in the neighborhood, such as the Newman Center and Hillel, to get involved as well.

Carroll agreed that this would be a positive step for the community.

"I would definitely encourage other groups and clubs to try [adopting streets] as well," Carroll said. "It's easy, and it does make a difference."

Cuccaro thinks the number of Greeks adopting the area will be beneficial.

"There's so many people living in such a small area over there," she said. "They really have the resources to clean the area, in terms of the amount of volunteers."

Reach reporter Arla Shephard at news@thedaily.washington.edu.