Mayor’s Vibrant Neighborhood Initiative
The Mayor’s Vibrant Neighborhood Initiative is a citywide effort to restore pride, safety, and beauty to South Bend’s neighborhoods. By working with residents and city departments, the initiative delivers resources directly to neighborhoods to tackle blight, reduce illegal dumping, and create cleaner, healthier, safer spaces for families.
Neighborhood Clean-up Event in District 2
Please join us to help clean and beautify areas of District #2, from College to Huey, and Lincoln Way to Linden.
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Time: 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Check-in begins at 8:30 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Center, 1522 Linden Ave.
Goals of the Vibrant Neighborhood Initiative
Reduce Illegal Dumping
Enhance Safety
Build Neighborhood Pride
Support Residents in Need
Enforce Standards Fairly
Get Involved Today
Join the Vibrant Neighborhoods Initiative and help make a lasting impact in South Bend communities.
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Sign up to receive text updates about the event in your neighborhood! You are able to opt out at any time.
District 2 Event Boundaries
Please join us to help clean and beautify areas of District #2, from College to Huey, and Lincoln Way to Linden.
The event’s command center will be at the Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Center, 1522 Linden Ave.
Dumpsters will be available near College and Florence for neighborhood residents to use for large items and household trash.
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials am I allowed to dispose of?
What materials am I allowed to dispose of?
The City will accept large items, but NO hazardous materials. See the list below for items the City can’t pick up:
Aerosols (spray paint, insect sprays)
Batteries
Corrosives (lye, acids, drain cleaner)
Fluorescent bulbs
Mercury (elemental, thermostats, switches and relays, vapor lamps)
Paints and solvents (paints, stains, finishing oils, thinners)
Pesticides/Herbicides (weed and grass killer, insect killers, garden chemicals)
Poisons (mouse and rat killers, roach and ant killers)
Smoke detectors
Tires
Waste Fuels (charcoal lighter, fuel oil, gasoline, No 55 gallon drums)
Waste oils and lubricants (engine, gear, coolant, No 55 gallon drums)
Refrigerators or Freezers
Building materials
Medicines
55 gallon drum
Photo chemicals from business units
Sharps (medical)
Please note that the County’s Kerr Road site does accept some of the above.
What if I am unable to move my items?
What if I am unable to move my items?
City staff and volunteers will ask you to sign a right of entry waiver and then they will remove the items on your behalf! They will not come inside your home but will remove any items within your property line.
Can I help with the clean-up?
Can I help with the clean-up?
Of course! Volunteers check-in will begin at 8:30AM at the MLK Dream Center. We will provide you with all the materials you need, as well as lunch after the event!
Why isn’t there a clean-up event in my neighborhood?
Why isn’t there a clean-up event in my neighborhood?
District 2 is our pilot area, but we intend to expand Citywide in the Spring of 2026. We want to give every district the opportunity to renew its streets, homes, and public spaces.
Is there a way for me to stay updated about the event ahead of time?
Is there a way for me to stay updated about the event ahead of time?
You can sign up for SMS alerts! Fill out this form and we will make sure you stay in the know about the event in your neighborhood. You can opt out anytime.
If I live in this neighborhood, what can I expect on the day of the event?
If I live in this neighborhood, what can I expect on the day of the event?
On the day:
Expect to see City vans and trucks around your neighborhood. Neighbors are invited to bring large trash items (excluding hazardous materials) to the curb for pick-up.
City personnel will be walking around helping neighbors beautify sidewalks and public areas. If neighbors need assistance from the City on their private property, they will need to sign a paper waiver day-of.
Dumpsters will be set up on Florence Street (between College and Brookfield) for item drop-offs. Please enter on College and exit on Brookfield.
Community Members are welcome to a Franky’s Tacos lunch at MLK starting at 1pm. This is sponsored by Notre Dame Federal Credit Union.
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