Moncton City Council has heard a motion calling for an extensive ongoing cleanup of the downtown area.

Downtown Moncton Centre-ville Inc. (DMCI) and its staff would lead a pilot project this summer.

Councillor Shawn Crossman, a DMCI board member, introduced the motion during last week’s public session of council.

The motion noted how residents and business owners in the downtown have expressed concerns about garbage, used drug materials, graffiti, stolen or abandoned shopping carts and unkept areas.

DMCI would lead the cleanup effort from May 1 to October 31, with seven days a week coverage from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Four to five staff would be involved and supervisors would be on-site every day.

Under the proposal, the city will be asked to contribute $180,000 toward the cleanup.

Council will discuss the motion at their next regular meeting on April 17.