A new cleaning contractor has started power washing the sidewalks and common areas of the Orange Plaza six weeks after the Orange City Council voted to direct the City Manager to restart a contract to have the Plaza cleaned regularly.
The contract with another company ended nearly 2 years ago due to budget shortfalls. The cleanliness of the historic Orange Plaza, which many consider the crown jewel of Orange, had deteriorated significantly, leaving many residents and business owners concerned by increasingly filthy conditions and odors throughout the area.
The new contractor started methodically cleaning the Plaza Tuesday night and appeared to be doing a thorough job of removing the dirt and stains using a steam cleaning system and environmentally friendly cleaning products.
According to Plaza business owner and District 1 City Council candidate Brandy Romero, “The Plaza is the second largest tax generator in the city and considered the jewel of Orange. We owe it to residents and visitors to keep it clean and beautiful.”
While the cleaning has made a very noticeable and welcomed difference to the look and feel of the Plaza, other issues still need to be addressed by the city, including the increasing homeless population sleeping and defecating in the Plaza. We counted at least 8 people sleeping in the Plaza Tuesday night.
Additionally, months after thieves stole signs from the southern entrance to the Plaza, the “ity of Orange” has yet to buy a C and replace the historic plaques.
