ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Saturday, October 19, 1996             TAG: 9610210045
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: A-5  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MAG POFF

TWICE-NIGHTLY TRASH PICKUP WEIGHED IN CITY

Roanoke will call for bids from private collectors to determine if they can pick up trash from downtown businesses twice a night for the same amount the city spends on one sweep through the area.

Bill Clark, director of the city's public works department, said the project should be advertised in about 30 days.

The decision to seek bids from private trash haulers was reached this week with an environmental committee of Downtown Roanoke Inc., a trade group representing center city merchants and property owners. Clark is a member of the committee.

The organization said tourists and other downtown visitors at night must walk by piles of unsightly garbage on their way to restaurants, theater, nightspots and other attractions. The city usually picks up the trash from downtown businesses between 8 and 10 p.m. But restaurants and bars put out more trash about midnight. Some restaurants hold the late trash indoors until the next day. Downtown Roanoke Inc. is seeking both early evening and late-night collections.

Clark said the city is not willing to pay the extra cost of adding a late crew, because only a handful of eating establishments are involved, but would be willing to change the time of the collection if that would help downtown businesses.

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