Kathy Crissman was appalled at what she saw as she strolled Springdale’s Pittsburgh Street during the borough’s community day in early July.

“This place is dirty,” she said of the borough’s main business artery. “It has so much trash and dirt on the street.”

The top issues, Crissman said, include trash along the road and sidewalks, and dirt and weeds between cracks and sidewalks. A borough native and 39-year business owner of Dimensions at 925 Pittsburgh St., Crissman said the road is in the worst condition she has ever seen.

Fortunately, the solution is simple, she said.

“It’s nothing spectacular — everyone wants to fundraise for their organization. So maybe the businesses could donate to organizations to clean up their section of Pittsburgh Street,” Crissman said.

“This is a great town. The people are fantastic. There’s great businesses here. We could get more if we paid attention to detail.”

Crissman presented her idea to borough council Aug. 20. Council members seemed receptive.

“I’d like to set up a meeting with the school district and come up with ideas to get kids involved with helping in the community,” Councilman Joe Kern said.

“I am planning on trying to get this in gear, because I 100% agree that we can clean the town up.”

Springdale’s code requires properties to be free from high grass and weeds in excess of 8 inches. Bushes must be trimmed and maintained, and sidewalks maintained “from hazardous conditions which may cause a public nuisance for pedestrian traffic.”

The borough sent a general notice to all property owners July 11.

“I’m like, ‘perfect,’” Crissman said of the notification. “Someone else is seeing what I’m seeing.”

She intends to draft a letter to propose the idea to booster clubs. Businesses can work out an agreement with the organization for cleanup plans and the donation amount.

“I think it’s a simple plan,” she said. “Let’s get it cleaned up.”

She cited similar beautification efforts in Oakmont and New Kensington that could also take place in Springdale.

Having a clean Pittsburgh Street could have a domino effect on bringing more residents and businesses into town, she said.

“(Springdale) is a great place to come,” Crissman said. “We’ve got to make it attractive.”

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