New device cleans decades-old gum marks

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A new $6,000 piece of equipment purchased last month could help make downtown sidewalks literally spotless.

Thousands of black spots caused by spit-out gum, some of them up to 30 years old, litter walkways on busy streets downtown. Public works street cleaning equipment is able to deep clean the sidewalks, but has been ineffective in removing the spots.

But the Downtown Austin Alliance has found a way.

“It really makes a huge difference in improving how clean downtown looks,” said DAA's Bill Brice.

The new steam cleaner will heat water as hot as 310 degrees and wash the spots away with a high-pressure blast.

“Crews will focus on each and every gum drop,” said Brice. “It is a pretty arduous process.”

The machine is being used periodically some mornings on certain stretches of downtown, and the visual difference before and after the spray cleaning is very noticeable.

“It looks presentable. Much more presentable,” said Sixth Street pedestrian Darius Oliver.

DAA officials said it is their mission to keep downtown clean, and the equipment is a good investment.

“You are going to have a sidewalk that looks as good as it can get,” said Brice.

Brice said they will concentrate on cleaning sidewalks along Congress Avenue and Sixth Street before moving to others downtown.