Des Moines SSMID Contract Awarded to Block by Block
October 31, 2002


The Downtown Community Alliance Self Supporting Municipal Improvement District (SSMID) has selected Block by Block to provide Safety and Clean Team Ambassadorial Services in downtown Des Moines, Iowa commencing on November 22, 2002. The SSMID represents approximately sixty square blocks and the contract will include both Safety and Clean services and will employ both full-time ambassadors and an operations manager with salary and benefits unmatched in the Des Moines market.

Safety Team Ambassadors will patrol downtown on foot and on bicycle serving as good-will ambassadors by providing pedestrian assistance in the form of information regarding downtown Des Moines, to include directions, attractions, current entertainment, hotel and restaurant locations and other services available. Additionally, the Safety Ambassadors will also serve as additional "eyes and ears" for the Des Moines Police Department.

Clean Team Ambassadors will be responsible for improving the outward appearance of downtown sidewalks, alleys and public right of ways as they focus on eradicating litter, weeds and graffiti. Additionally, Clean Team Ambassadors will provide coverage in the 2.5-mile skywalk system that connects downtown buildings and also the Walnut Street Transit Mall. Clean Ambassadors will utilize manual cleaning methods as well as equipment designed for urban cleaning.

Both teams will be linked via two-way radios to provide rapid deployment and response to safety and cleaning issues. Also, both teams will be uniformed in maroon and black, which reflect the colors of Operation Downtown, to make them highly visible and well recognized. The addition of Des Moines makes this the sixth improvement district in which Block by Block provides management and staffing services. The other improvement districts that are served by Block by Block are in Louisville, KY, Nashville, TN, Cincinnati, OH, Columbus, OH and Columbia, SC.

For more information regarding this release, please contact Steve Hillard at toll free 877-256-2507