Downtown Ambassador Program
The City of Gainesville is pleased to announce the creation of the Downtown Ambassador Program in downtown Gainesville. This three-year partnership with Block by Block, approved unanimously by the City Commission on August 15, 2024, demonstrates the city’s commitment to improving the area for visitors, residents, and downtown’s business community.
The Downtown Ambassador Program continues the work of the Downtown Gainesville Strategic Plan, adopted by the Gainesville City Commission in October 2022. In addition, the program is a direct response to the July 2024 Downtown Needs Assessment Survey that reaffirmed the community’s interest in making downtown Gainesville safe, clean, beautiful, and lively.
The survey sought community feedback to identify and prioritize services and needs within the Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area (GCRA) downtown boundary. Many of the community-identified needs are services the Downtown Ambassador Program is uniquely poised to handle. We look forward to working with the Block by Block team to enrich our downtown area by addressing cleanliness and safety and maintaining its aesthetic appeal and cultural charm.
The program launched on December 2, 2024. Keep reading to learn more.
About the Program
What Ambassadors Do
Ambassador services will be provided by Block by Block. In Gainesville, they will work in the GCRA’s downtown boundary, hence the name Downtown Ambassador.
Ambassadors serve as valuable neighborhood helpers, ensuring that neighborhoods stay clean, attractive, and welcoming. They offer various services, including graffiti removal, street cleaning, safety escorts, landscaping, community outreach, hospitality, and more.
Ambassadors can support businesses located in the designated service areas. They can help with safety concerns, cleanliness around storefronts, or other public space services. Business owners can request these services directly from Block by Block via their helpline at (352) 710-6406.
Ambassadors will provide and promote a safety escort program for the Downtown Gainesville and West University Corridor districts throughout their daily operations. Visitors to each district can request a safety escort to their cars, transit, or downtown destination by contacting the on-duty staff via their helpline. Ambassadors can also build relationships with vulnerable populations and connect them with services offered in the area.
About Block by Block
Block by Block is the leading provider of Ambassador Services, with nearly 30 years of experience and more than 150 programs across the country – see cities they serve. They provide specialized services, including security, cleaning, hospitality, and outreach, all designed to enhance the quality of life in urban areas. Through partnerships with cities and business improvement districts, Block by Block helps create safer, more vibrant public spaces.
Program Locations
The Downtown Ambassador Program will be available in two main service areas: 1. Downtown Gainesville and the 2. West University Corridor.
Downtown Gainesville Service Area
This service area is bounded by North 2nd Avenue to the north, Depot Avenue to the south, 6th Street to the west, and SE 7th Street to the east.
The service area is split into two zones, which evenly distribute and rotate ambassador coverage to support downtown businesses, residents, and visitors.
West University Corridor Service Area
This service area lies just east of the University of Florida campus and extends to the Santa Fe College Blount Center. It serves Gainesville’s student community by supporting off-campus life between SW 13th Street and the Innovation District.
Bounded by W. University Avenue to the north and SW 2nd Place to the south, the area runs from SW 13th Street in the west to SW 6th Street in the east, where it meets the Downtown Gainesville service area.
Program Roles
Ambassador Job Opportunities
The Downtown Ambassador Program brings several new jobs to Gainesville, Florida. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply directly with Block by Block for employment (linked below).
The Ambassador Team and Job Outlines
Safety
Safety Ambassadors will patrol the service areas on foot and/or bike to deter and be on the lookout for unwanted behavior and activity while providing information, hospitality, assistance, and directions to downtown workers, residents, and visitors.
Clean
Clean Ambassadors provide a high level of visibility at the street level and carry out various tasks to improve the overall appearance of the service district they are assigned to.
Leads
Team Leaders provide an exemplary model of customer service, hospitality, and operational oversight. They ensure quality and adhere to all Block by Block procedures while leading and motivating the team at the street level.
Outreach Coordinator
This Outreach Coordinator focuses on social outreach in the community, with an emphasis on the houseless population in downtown. Coordinators approach and assist individuals in need and help connect them with social service resources in the area.
Operations Manager
The Operations Manager is responsible for all facets of the program at the local level. This role will ensure operations adhere to Block by Block guidelines and standards while maintaining customer communication and adjusting services for local needs.
How to Apply:
Interested applicants are encouraged to apply directly to Block by Block for employment, as these positions are not affiliated with the City of Gainesville. Block by Block’s hiring processes and practices are independent of the City of Gainesville. Click the button below for more information and to apply for these roles.
Common Questions
What is a Downtown Ambassador exactly? What do they do?
Ambassadors are helpers who keep things clean, beautiful, and friendly – making sure a neighborhood remains in excellent shape. They can provide distinct services in a neighborhood, like graffiti cleanup, safety escorts, landscaping, and social outreach services. In our city, they will work in the GCRA’s downtown boundary, hence the name Downtown Ambassador.
Why is this program happening?
An essential action resulting from the Downtown Gainesville Strategic Plan is launching a Downtown Ambassador Program that places additional eyes, ears, and voices on the streets. The program meets several of the six transformative themes identified in the plan:
– Theme 1: Become a Destination
– Theme 5: Create a Supportive Local Business Environment
– Theme 6: Maintain and Enhance Downtown
Why can’t the city do all of these services?
The Downtown Ambassadors will provide targeted geographical services such as:
– Street cleaning and graffiti removal
– Safety escorts for visitors of downtown
– Building relationships with vulnerable populations to connect them with services
– Outreach to downtown businesses to provide real-time information on what is happening downtown
The City of Gainesville, through different departments, provides those services throughout Gainesville but needs help targeting its services geographically. This program will focus funding, resources, energy, and staff in the downtown service area.
I heard the city was only hiring “homeless people” for these jobs. Is that true?
While the Ambassador Program will offer outreach services to the houseless population, the hiring focus will not be on that population. Block by Block has a corporate mission to support the employment of formerly houseless individuals now in stable, permanent housing; however, they are also committed to hiring the best-qualified candidates to fill these critical positions.
Where is the funding for the Downtown Ambassador Program coming from?
The program is funded through three special revenue sources, not the city’s general fund. Tax increment financing (TIF) from the College Park-University Heights Redevelopment Trust Fund will be used for the West University Corridor. For Downtown Gainesville, funding comes from the “Downtown Strategic Plan Fund” within the Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area (GCRA), which receives money from both the City of Gainesville and Alachua County. TIF from the Downtown Redevelopment Trust Fund may also be used.
Are Ambassadors available to help with my business?
Yes, our ambassadors are here to help! Whether you need assistance with safety concerns, cleanliness around your storefront, or other public space services, our team is ready to help. To speak to the Downtown Ambassador team and request services, call the helpline at (352) 710-6406.
What if I have an emergency while in downtown – can a Downtown Ambassador help me?
You should always call 911 in the event of an emergency or life-threatening situation. During their daily operations, downtown Ambassadors will offer a safety escort service in the Downtown Gainesville and West University Corridor service areas. Visitors can request an escort by calling the helpline at (352) 710-6406.
I am planning a community event (special event) in the downtown area. Can a Downtown Ambassador help with my event?
No. Downtown Ambassadors cannot assist with private event organizers as they are focused on their daily duties of keeping downtown Gainesville clean, safe, and welcoming for all visitors.