Gainesville ambassadors to enhance downtown experience
Press release from City of Gainesville
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A new program of the City of Gainesville, designed to advance downtown as a destination for visitors and locals, is scheduled to launch on 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.
Why do we need this? What has changed? Maybe fix that (shut down disGRACE and the other gravy trains, free motels, etc.) instead of not dealing with the real problem.
Aside from that, this has to be the stupidest thing I’ve heard in a long time. It’s up there with the biomass plant, but thankfully not nearly as expensive. At least reopen the parking garage bathrooms and make the “Ambassadors” keep the bathrooms clean, since the city staff is too inept to be able to do that and they permanently closed the bathrooms. Now, everyone pees in the parking garage elevators and stairwells. It’s just gross.
The organization running it is placed in numerous cities across America and apparently with some success. Maybe you could wait and see how it works out, since one assumes you don’t object to making Gainesville safer, cleaner, and more welcoming to visitors.
Will there be an emphasis on helping disabled people? Are these people working at night or only in the safer daylight hours?
they are working remotely, it is safer and more convenient for the ambassadors and this will give you a more personal enhanced experience of downtown
I just said they should CLEAN the parking garage bathrooms and keep them open. What kind of “Streatery” has no bathrooms available? I’m guessing all the “Ambassadors” will be lazy POS people who don’t really want to work, so cleaning the bathrooms will be out of the question.
Addressing your larger point, Gainesville Dad already posted that they have been miserable failures in other cities. We are just their latest patsy.
Don’t see that post from G’ville Dad, of course we all know that the best refrigerator in the world will have a few 1 star ratings from cranks. I found:
“According to information available, “Block by Block” generally receives positive reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) platform, often highlighted for their commitment to community improvement and quality service in areas like downtown cleanliness and safety, with many positive customer testimonials praising their work with city leaders and impactful results; however, specific details about their BBB rating and accreditation status may vary depending on the location or specific “Block by Block” entity being reviewed.”
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! ROTFLMAO!
Criminal: “Hello Mr/Ms Ambassador, would you kindly get out of my way while I _________(fill in the blank with mug, rape, assault, ….) this resident and/or tourist?”
Ambassador: “Of course Criminal, did you need any help in making sure no one notifies the police who may impede your chosen occupation?”
What other misdirected things can GNV CC do? Ambassadors? Really?
Are they going to have the guts to help a tourist who is being assaulted by one of the usual downtown area panhandlers?
Nope?
Then hire more qualified police officers and let them do their job downtown!
The panhandlers on Main and University must not have qualified, I don’t see any of them in the picture.
What kind of Obama red jacket city year communist front money laundering front group is this supposed to be.
They can’t figure out another way to waste money besides aping another woke community who swears this is a great idea. We are being led by three year olds who look at another child and yells ‘look at me! I can do it too.’ Never an original idea. Always info that some other cities thought this up. Silly dummies. Expensive copycats.
Gainesville government is so pathetic. They wannabe a big city so badly, thry have to pretend.
I’m waiting on ol Jazzman to come along & say something stupid, like what a great program this is & how well-spent this $3.1M is
See above, and then maybe offer an informed opinion.
Or not. You’re apparently unable to do the latter.
Silly idea. If you really wanted to ‘enhance’ the experience you’d get rid of the vagrants and eliminate parking fees.
Hey, genius call Tony. “Get rid of the vagrants”.
What, shoot them, arrest them all. Let us know the rest of your plan.
Yes, close down all of the homeless “services”, arrest them for camping and panhandling in the medians, and downtown will be nice again.
And the jails will be temporarily filled – until the arrests are overturned – and you’ll be paying for it.
Wake up to reality.
Arresting the panhandlers won’t work. The residents need to quit giving them money. Cut off their supply and they will move on.
When will a criminal investigation begin concerning the 2 billion dollar wood burner?
Dude, the Mexicans are going to pay for it.
I think it’s a wonderful idea. The city commission continues to prove themselves capable and responsible stewards of our tax money. Ward and his compatriots deserve the highest accolades.
3 million dollars of the public wealth has rarely been better spent
I see what you did there Carl, lol
I will say they appear to be a very nice group of people. They even have a couple of white people. But, how about spending the money on more police after hours. Don’t really like the outfits though.
What happened with the ‘other’ ambassador’ program which hired 7 convicted felons as “ambassadors”, with a $1,000,000 budget?
It is sad that the city government hires public servants for more money than private businesses can afford.
Hopefully they’ll be early responders for panhandler and public camper reduction. Downtown needs all the help it can get. Maybe they can do valet parking too?
There appear to be 10 “ambassadors” with 5 more highly paid “administrators,” plus probably a >$50k truck. Typical leftist government “efficiency.”
There is no reason to go down town.
Better restaurants and bars, Bo Didley Plaza events, The Hippodrome, Depot Park, breweries with farmer’s market, Heartwood Stage, etc.
Jazz, sorry but I think the better restaurants and bars are elsewhere. We have at least three farmers markets around the county…and lots of other parks.
The Hipp is pretty cool. I’ll give you that. But there are at least two other theaters in the area.
And I make my own beer. 🙂
thatguy, we can argue about the best bars and restaurants, but downtown is the only place with a collection of them in a walkable and festive atmosphere, especially on weekends. Yes on farmers’ markets but the most well attended – with a brewery next door – are downtown and you can attend it and other attractions like the Hippodrome and music venues without driving between them. Some of us also prefer the old buildings, courthouse square, and elements of a real – and historic – place, not one manufactured in a suburban parking lot. They can throw you out of the Oaks Mall and some day it will probably be bulldozed. Not so our historic town centers which we all own.
Good on making your own beer. I tried it a few years back with my brother-in-laws help, but it turns out I was too lazy, so he was actually making it while I watched. (Sadly he died in Atlanta of Covid in 2020, though he had other medical issues. My wife’s cousin in New Orleans also died of it that 1st Covid summer, no other medical issues, but 83.)
Jazz,
The downtown needs a pressure washing, better lighting and some place to park that doesn’t charge. And, of course, a lot less puke.
It needs a refresh.
They had a plan for this years ago but the economy and later the virus changed that.
The virus changed a lot of things. I lost some family as well. They were dark days in many ways.
Like you, I like the charm of some of the older buildings. I just don’t need to go downtown for a drink or something to eat when there are other choices.
And…it’s never too late for Jazzman to brew.
I haven’t noticed the puke, though it’s been a long time since I stayed ’til closing time, when the accumulated alcohol level in twenty-somethings reaches eruption levels. Parking not easy and I agree charging for it is penny-ante stuff that hurts businesses (a time limit is fair).
I have a few ideas for when I retire (in about a year), but somehow brewing is not likely, though I appreciate others who do. Went with a friend to suburban locations last night, and a nice one. A couple of pints at Black Adder and excellent Thai dinner at Red Rice.
There is no more downtown farmer’s market, Jazzman, and there hasn’t been for years now. Are you talking about the one on NW 10th Avenue?? That’s hardly downtown.
Same dozen commentators talking to each other here and convincing themselves they represent most citizens while crapping on anything the ACC or GCC does.
That is because most Gainesville citizens are quite stupid. Remember the 2 billion dollar wood burner?????
Yeah, you’re obviously a genius.
Obviously I am. Yet you who seems to know all knows very little about the 2 Billion dollar wood burner fiasco
They don’t purport to represent most citizens, just the intelligent ones with a high pain tolerance. Once a person gets tired of being governed by DEC grifters and bleeding hearts who can’t do math they have to move. The roads into the county are clogged every workday with people who have voted with their feet.
Do some research on the outreach coordinator. What a shame.
This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever read. Wait until one of these Walmart greeters gets hurt or attacked.
So infuriating, 3 million of our tax dollars being paid to an company from another state for this!!! Gainesville commissioners are the absolute worse!! WHY not actually help OUR homeless population with that money!! Such a waste!!