On a typical spring afternoon, Ferry Street would be bustling with people shopping, dining, just living their lives. Evenings with full restaurants, happy patrons and community members enjoying all that makes Newark's Ironbound the city's top dining, shopping and entertainment district.

The times, however, are anything but typical. The COVID-19 pandemic has put many things on hold for the time being. Yet, the Ironbound Business Improvement District (IBID) Clean Team is still working to keep local streets clean, safe and welcoming. "Like the other managed districts located in every ward of the City of Newark, the Ironbound BID is working hard to support our municipal partners and help the city move forward during these difficult times," notes IBID Executive Director Seth A. Grossman.

"During the COVID crisis, the IBID's Clean Team will be working on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in conjunction with Newark's DPW and will be putting additional focus on the areas around garbage cans," Grossman adds. "As instructed by the City, our first responsibility is to keep the team and our community safe while providing supplemental services our residents, business owners and workers, and visitors have come to expect, despite the negative impact the coronavirus has had on our organization's operations. That's why everyone needs to pitch in and work together to help keep the Ironbound clean and safe." Chris Bernardo, principal of Commercial District Services (CDS), the public space management company employed by the IBID to provide streetscape services, said his company has outfitted Clean Team members with protective masks, gloves, and disinfectant spray. "We are committing a big piece of every work-day to sanitizing the public amenities that people touch the most in the Ironbound District and other managed districts we serve in Newark," Bernardo underscores.

"When it comes to supplemental services like sanitation and public safety that impact the residents and businesses of the Ironbound and Newark before, during and after the coronavirus crisis, the contributions of the IBID and the other BIDs are essential," East Ward Councilman Augusto Amador says. IBID President Manny Lopes thanked Mayor Ras J. Baraka and the Newark Municipal Council, including Councilman Amador, for their leadership during the coronavirus pandemic, and thanked everyone providing essential services, plus Ironbound community members for doing their part by staying home and following social distancing guidelines.

"The IBID will continue to deliver to the best of our ability when it comes to streetscape services, consistent information of importance to residents and business owners, and advocacy with city, state and other agencies that keeps the needs and interests of our district at the forefront on behalf of the Ironbound community," Lopes concludes. "We need everyone's help in keeping the Ironbound clean by following the rules regarding garbage and recycling pickup."