Gainesville ambassadors to enhance downtown experience
Published on November 22, 2024
A new program of the City of Gainesville, designed to advance downtown as a destination for visitors and locals, is scheduled to launch Monday, Dec. 2. The Downtown Ambassador Program will provide hospitality, safety and outreach services in two focused locations: the Downtown Gainesville Service Area and the West University Corridor Service Area.
Dressed in lime-green shirts, the ambassadors will be easily identifiable to area guests, residents and students as they offer safety escorts or provide directions or information about nearby locales and events.
“The Downtown Ambassador program has been a long time in planning, and I believe it will have a direct positive impact on the experience of our neighbors who live, work and visit Downtown Gainesville,” said Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward.
The Downtown Gainesville Service Area, a “T-shaped” area split into two zones by Main Street, encompasses an area roughly bordered by 2nd Avenue to the north and Depot Avenue to the south. Western borders are 6th and SW 3rd streets, connected by SW 4th Avenue; Eastern borders are SE 3rd and SE 7th streets, connected by SE 4th Avenue.
The West University Corridor Service Area is a stretch of University Avenue bordered by SW 13th Street to the west, SW 2nd Place to the South and adjacent to the westernmost border of the Downtown Gainesville Service Area along SW 6th Street.
In August, the Gainesville City Commission unanimously approved a 3-year, $3.1 million contract with Block by Block, the leading provider of ambassador services to create safer, more vibrant public spaces. The Downtown Gainesville Ambassador Program is funded by the Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area (GCRA) and tax increment financing from the College Park-University Heights Redevelopment Trust Fund. The program will be operated by Block by Block seven days/week. Earlier this fall, Block by Block began advertising locally to fill 7-9 ambassador positions in addition to team leaders.
“The program creates living-wage jobs for folks in our community. I think the question we’ll be asking ourselves a year from now is why we didn’t do this sooner,” said Mayor Ward.
As additional eyes, ears and voices on the street, the ambassadors will provide outreach to vulnerable populations and connect these neighbors with area service providers. The program will complement the homeless support services offered by the city, including the work of Gainesville Fire Rescue Community Resource Paramedicine staff who offer direct assistance to underserved neighbors.
Block by Block services six Florida cities, including Jacksonville and Miami, and more than 150 clients nationwide.
“The City of Columbia, Missouri and our Downtown Community Improvement District are so appreciative of the contract we’ve had with Block by Block for more than nine years,” said Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe. “Block by Block's professionalism and dedication have made them an essential part of our community and they bring a sense of safety and warmth to our streets.”
In addition, ambassadors will help maintain cleanliness throughout the Downtown Gainesville Service Area by managing litter, removing graffiti and flyers, and landscaping. They also will make regular visits to merchants in the service areas and answer questions about the program.
“We look forward to developing new relationships with the businesses, residents and users of the space by bringing our unique approach to hospitality and safety, and providing a cleaner environment for all who enjoy downtown. Our goal in every city we operate is to make downtown a place where everyone can feel welcome and comfortable and want to spend more time,” said John Koch, Block by Block division vice president.
Creation of the city’s Downtown Ambassador Program supports the implementation of the Downtown Gainesville Strategic Plan, adopted by the Gainesville City Commission in October 2022. The program aligns with these strategic themes: to become a destination; to create a supportive local business environment; and to maintain and enhance downtown.
A list of frequently asked questions and answers about the program is available online.