Barrett urges Milwaukeeans to clean up "lasagna problem"

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Thousands of visitors will be piling into Milwaukee next week to catch some NCAA action. Now, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is calling upon people who live in the city to help clean the house before our guests arrive.

"I call it the lasagna problem because you have snow, then you have debris, then you have more snow, and more debris and more snow and more debris," said Barrett.

March truly is not the prettiest of months for Midwest cities. Piles of winter trash line the roads -- and aren't exactly a welcoming vision for visitors.

"I think it's just like your home. Anytime you have visitors come to your home, you want to make sure that things are picked up," said Barrett. "And we're going to have a lot of people visiting our home and we want to make sure things are picked up."

Barrett says that's why the Department of Public Works will have a special crew out next week -- to clean up the downtown area. But you can help dunk the debris too! In fan, Mayor Barrett is hoping you do.

"Youth groups, scouting groups, church groups, all sorts of groups can get out there and do get out there to help us clean up the streets and the parks," said Barrett.

Barrett says all the effort makes for a better city -- and a pristine tournament setting that could pay off in future tourism.

"Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful" will also have teams out cleaning up next week. Though officials there say it's not specifically because of the NCAA tournament -- it's just time to start sprucing up.