Garland member proposes citywide ‘Adopt-a-Street’ program to formalize resident and business cleanups

Sharanda Green, District 8, proposed expanding an Adopt-a-Highway-style program into a citywide Adopt-a-Street program that would let both residents and businesses sponsor specific streets or blocks and receive signage and recognition.

Green told the Garland Beautification Advisory Board that the idea is modeled on the existing TxDOT Adopt-a-Highway concept but adapted so “the Jones family can actually adopt their street.” She said the program could include tiers of participation—where some sponsors pay for signage and supplies and higher-level packages could include volunteer teams provided by Keep Garland Beautiful.

The proposal was framed as a way to increase community pride, encourage more recycling and volunteerism, and reduce sanitation costs. Green also repeated a cost-savings claim: “Adopt A Sign has saved taxpayers $265,000,000.265,” as she presented the program’s potential fiscal benefits.

Ken Risser, the mayor’s appointee, said Garland already participates in TxDOT’s Adopt-a-Highway program for a stretch of Garland Road and cautioned that initial volunteer energy on such efforts has waned in the past. Another member identified as Bob (Keep Garland Beautiful) confirmed the partnership role his group already plays—supplying signs, trash bags and volunteer coordination for existing highway stretches.

Board members suggested several implementation steps discussed at the meeting: starting with commercial corridors where signage and sponsorship might attract business interest; creating a written sponsor agreement that specifies expected participation hours or membership levels; and using the Garland Independent School District Career Center to make signage as a hands-on student project. Jim Dobbins, District 1, and other members recalled previous attempts that had stalled and urged a program design Keep Garland Beautiful could endorse.

Board members agreed that Green should present a formal plan to Keep Garland Beautiful and to the city volunteer coordinator, and that the item should return to the board for consideration after Keep Garland Beautiful reviews it. The board did not vote on the proposal at the meeting.

Next steps: Green will take the draft concept to Keep Garland Beautiful and coordinate with the city volunteer office to develop participation details; the board will revisit the matter after those consultations.