Adopt-A-Spot Application & Agreement

Program Overview

The City of Altoona Public Works Department offers the "Adopt-A-Spot" program to encourage individuals, groups, and businesses to beautify their neighborhoods. Participants select an unsightly area—such as a graffitied wall or littered sidewalk—and agree to maintain it graffiti-free and/or litter-free indefinitely.

Key Details:

• Cost: The program is absolutely free.
• Scope: Participants must maintain the area but are not authorized to make plantings or improvements.
• Eligibility: Open to individuals, neighborhood watch groups, organizations, schools, and businesses.

How to Get Started

To participate, applicants must complete the "Adopt-A-Spot Neighborhood Beautification Partnership Agreement. " The City of Altoona supports participants by:

• Providing necessary permissions for city property.
• Providing waiver forms for private property.
• Furnishing maintenance supplies (paint, rollers, rakes, brooms, shovels, trash bags). Note: Some items are provided on a loan-only basis.

For more information or assistance, contact the Public Works Department at 814-949-2447.

Agreement Terms

The partnership agreement outlines specific responsibilities for both the Adopter and the City.

Adopter Responsibilities

General Cleanup:

• Clean and maintain the adopted area(s) regularly.
• Follow all safety rules and use common sense; never impede pedestrian traffic.
• Obtain approval for any plaques. Plaques cannot offer goods for sale, reference commercial establishments, or contain entertainment event details. Only the program name and organization/individual name are permitted.
• Obtain completed waiver and release of claims from each participant.
• Contact the City to end the agreement if maintenance is no longer possible.

Graffiti Removal:

• Obtain permission from the property owner before removing graffiti on private property.
• Match paint color as closely as possible to the existing color.
• Clean up any mess left behind, being cautious not to spill paint on sidewalks.

City Responsibilities

• Obtain necessary permission for work occurring on public property.
• Loan hand tools (rakes, brooms, shovels, hoes, etc. ) to the group.
• Arrange extra City resources for clean-up days when appropriate.

Application Form

The second page of the document serves as the formal agreement form, requiring:

• Name of Adopter.
• Specific address or location of the spot to be adopted.
• Signatures and contact information (phone, email) from the Adopter.
• Signature and date from a City of Altoona Representative.