Block by Block Ambassadors Leave Mark on Downtown St. Cloud in First Summer on the Job

(KNSI) – The St. Cloud Economic Development Authority heard from the Downtown Alliance on Tuesday, learning some surprising facts about how Block by Block is going above and beyond with its ambassador program.

Even after a Business Improvement District was voted down by stakeholders last fall, there was enough support to run the program on a trial basis in an area covering the core of downtown, mostly 5th Avenue and West St. Germain. Block by Block used four people over the summer, scaling that back to three in the winter months, to clean, provide safety, and assist visitors with concerns or give directions.

During the presentation, officials revealed that Block by Block ambassadors have picked up 15,000 cigarette butts, pulled over 5,200 weeds, and removed 3,500 pieces of litter since they first hit the streets on May 27th. Clad in bright green vests, the ambassadors walk the area Monday through Saturday.

Another key role for them is to stop by and chat with business owners during their shift. It helps ambassadors respond to pressing security issues or alert the appropriate authorities. Ambassadors have been asked only once to act as a safety escort for a customer who felt threatened by something going on downtown.

The program will continue for a full five years, and the St. Cloud Downtown Alliance hopes to revive the proposal for a Business Improvement District at that time, which would ensure Block by Block remains a partner in the area for the long haul.

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