Blocks organized for at least two years and registered with PMBC are eligible to join PMBC's annual Clean Block Contest. The Clean Block Contest is held after the cleaning season. Judges visit each contest block and evaluate them on organization, cleanliness, improvements, and participation. The winning blocks are announced at the Clean Block Banquet, where each participating block receives a cash reward.

The Clean Block Contest is intended to motivate and excite block residents, recognize them for their achievements, and to hold them up as an example to the rest of the City. These hard working people--like all of us--appreciate recognition for a job well done. To be considered in the competition with other top achievers is in itself an honor, but to be selected as the leading Clean Block is high praise indeed. Cash prizes are awarded for use in the Block Treasury to promote further improvements.

On Wednesday, September 26, Streets Commissioner Clarena Tolson, along with Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee (PMBC) Administrator Wanda R. Jones-Heading will kick off the 2012 Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee (PMBC) Annual Clean Block Contest in the Municipal Services Building, 16th Fl, Room Y. The kick-off and orientation for contest judges begins at 9:00 AM.

Judges will inspect 17 contest blocks over four days, September 26 and 27, October 3 and 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. These blocks were selected from the approximately 6,600 organized blocks registered with PMBC.

PMBC, part of the Streets Department's Sanitation Division, is an urban environmental partnership. The program is in its 67th year of promoting civic pride, public safety and neighborhood empowerment among Block Captains, community group leaders and their units.

The following streets will be judged for the contest:

Wednesday, September 26

10:00	W. Stern	1500 N. 13th St.	22nd
11:00	W. Stern	1700 Ellsworth St.	17th
12:00	J. Miranda	1100 S. Wilton St.	12th
1:30	S. Robinson	200 Wilder St.	3rd

Thursday, September 27

10:00	J. Miranda	4300 Potter St.	24th
11:00	W. Brown	5900 Loretto St.	14th
12:00	S. Miranda	6000 Carpenter St.	18th
1:30	S. Robinson	1000 E. Rittenhouse St.	14th

Wednesday, October 3

10:00	B. Stern	200 N. Paxon St.	16th
11:00	W. Brown	400 N. 65th St.	19th
12:00	W. Stern	2100 Christian St.	17th
1:30	J. Miranda	300 Winona St.	39th

Thursday, October 4

10:00	S. Miranda	4400 N. Orianna St.	25th
10:45	W. Brown	6100 N. 8th St.	35th
11:45	S. Miranda	6000 Webster St.	18th
1:00	W. Brown	5600 Stewart St.	19th
1:45	S. Robinson	1800 Ritner St.	1st

Reasons for the contest

We have learned that - aside from neighborhood improvements and beautification - there are other important benefits:

• Neighborhood stability
• Increase in property values
• Decrease in adult and juvenile crime
• Development of civic interest and community pride

Awards

The four top winning blocks will be announced at the Annual Clean Block Awards Banquet on Friday, November 2, at Penn's Landing Caterers located in the Sheet Metal Union Workers Building at 1301 S. Columbus Blvd. The festivities will take place from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The awards are $300 for 4th place, $500 for 3rd place, $700 for 2nd place, with the top prize being $1,000. The remaining blocks will each receive $150. The prize money is to be used for worthwhile clean block projects.

Community Spirit Awards

In 2001, three new awards were introduced. These Community Spirit Awards, also announced at the Clean Block Awards Banquet, were established to reflect special residents and programs that truly make a difference in Philadelphia communities:

• Junior Block Captain Award
• PMBC Neighborhood Transformation Award for Beautification Projects
• Neighbors Helping Neighbors Award

For more information about the Clean Block Contest, contact your PMBC Clean Block Officer.

Clean Block Winners

Each year, the Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee names first place winners in the Annual Clean Block Awards Contest. We salute this year’s winner, as we do all the winners from years past, for taking pride in their block, their community, and their city.

Year	Address
2011	3600 N. Marvine Street
2010	6100 Block, Franklin Street
2009	2500 E. Gordon Street
2008	5800 Rodman Street
2007	300 Durfor Street
2006	2500 S. Cleveland Street
2005	2600 S. Hicks Street
2004	100 Pierce Street
2003	5700 Rodman Street
2002	2800 S. Camac Street
2001	1900 S. Galloway Street
2000	5800 Rodman Street
1999	400 Dickinson Street
1998	6100 N. Marshall Street
1997	2500 N. Marston Street
1996	2400 W. Sharswood Street
1995	1100 Brill Street