It's A Big, Dirty Job...
Pigeon poop. For the city official in charge of city property, it's Joan Schlotterbeck's biggest challenge. And nightmare. Just the other week, she had City Hall maintenance workers install plastic spikes along two high ridges in the south
Pigeon poop.
For the city official in charge of city property, it's Joan Schlotterbeck's biggest challenge. And nightmare.
Just the other week, she had City Hall maintenance workers install plastic spikes along two high ridges in the south portal leading to the courtyard.
It's a favorite resting spot. One of many.
"The idea is to keep them from being able to perch on that ledge," said Schlotterbeck, acting public property commissioner. But in her experience, it works only so long. "The smarter pigeons learn how to actually create a surface so they can sit on top . . .. Where there's a will, there's a way."
The pigeon problem has confounded City Hall for decades. It's why much of the building - look up - is draped with netting. That was a bird-control strategy that required the blessing of the city Historical Commission.
But the fight goes on, and it must, given that millions in taxpayers' money have been invested in wiping City Hall clean.
When the cleaning project is done, an estimated 100,000 pounds of pigeon poop will have been removed. That's right, 100,000 pounds.
"They're tough little critters," Schlotterbeck said. "But we don't give up. I can't give up."
