Trash Enclosure Pilot Project Launches 'Safe, Clean Streets' In Hemet

HEMET, CA — Beginning Thursday, the city of Hemet will begin offering incentive packages to encourage the construction of commercial trash enclosures to protect public health and preserve the environment.

"We're addressing a critical need while setting a precedent for the city's urban beautification," City Manager Mark Prestwich said. "This program is a testament to Hemet's dedication to environmental stewardship and is designed to position the city for additional investment."

The Trash Enclosure Pilot Project was approved by the City Council in October and is part of a broader strategy to advance community aesthetics while prioritizing public health measures, officials said.

Starting Thursday, the city will provide fee waivers and related incentives to make it easier for businesses to build vandal-proof refuse enclosures designed for garden-variety trash and recycling bins, complete with doors and roofs that lock.

The $500,000 program includes grant awards of up to $20,000 apiece for construction of the enclosures, officials said.

Application processing fees may also be waived to expedite construction.

Officials are particularly interested in the establishment of enclosures along Florida, San Jacinto and Stetson avenues, as well as State Street.

"The Trash Enclosure Pilot Project is not just an infrastructural update; it's part of Hemet's broader 'Safe and Clean Streets Initiative,"' according to a municipal statement. "This initiative reflects the city's commitment to enhancing quality of life by making Hemet safer, cleaner and more attractive for residents, businesses and visitors."

More information is available at www.hemetca.gov/TrashEnclosureProgram.