By Dean Vaglia
Leader Staff Writer
The Oxford Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is looking for volunteers to help clean up the DDA district on Sunday, May 22.
Running from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., volunteers can take part in shifts starting or ending at 2:30 p.m. or clean for as long as they are able to.
“We are soliciting volunteers at this point, but we have several projects we are focusing on,” Kimberly Smith, DDA projects and media coordinator, said.
The first project on the DDA’s plate is the gazebo in Centennial Park.
“We are going to be looking to repair any boards or anything that might look a little unsafe or unlevel,” Smith said.
Another project to be tackled is preparing 15 N. Washington for repaving.
“There is a portion on the back side that has a lot of grass that we need to clean up,” Kelly Westbrook, DDA executive director, said. “The portion in front with the bricks, a lot of the bricks are broken so we will be cleaning the bricks on the front there [and] repairing what we can. We will also be placing planters on the bricks and then in the middle space so that it … blocks off the space and makes it safe for families because it is such a large open area.”
Work will take place all across the DDA district, including in the White House District where volunteers will landscape and paint signs.
“We did not get to focus on [the White House District] because there was so much to do downtown,” Westbrook said.
Business owners are tasked with cleaning up their rear facades, with the best-cleaned facade winning a to-be-determined “really exciting prize.”
Landscaping, planting flowers and other tasks will occur throughout the DDA district. Those interested in helping out can contact the DDA at ddapmc@thevillageofoxford.org. Volunteers are encouraged to dress for work and can bring tools if they want to garden. Sick Pizza will rovide refreshments.