Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District

The Ambassadors of the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District can be found on the streets performing a wide variety of services to improve the friendliness, safety and cleanliness of the downtown district. A team of approximately 70 Ambassadors will be deployed on the streets based on time of day and season to best utilize personnel and equipment resources.

Photos

Before - Weed Removal (1st day!) After - Weed Removal (1st Day!) Before - Graffiti (First Day!) In Action - Graffiti Removal (1st Day!) After - Graffiti Removal (1st Day) Before - Trash Can Cleaning (First Day!) In Action - Trash Can Cleaning (First Day!) After - Trash Can Cleaning (First Day!) Before - News Rack Cleaning (First Day!) In Action - Newsrack Cleaning (First Day!) After - Newsrack Cleaning (First Day!) Before - Graffiti Removal (First Day!) In Action - Graffiti Removal (First Day!) After - Graffiti Removal (First Day!) The first day of services was somewhat dreary, but Ambassadors were ready to greet the public with smiles and umbrellas In Action Giving Directions! Before - Graffiti Removal (First Day!) In Action - Graffiti Removal (First Day!) After - Graffiti Removal - (First Day!) Mayor R.T. Rybak speaks with an Ambassador and Sarah Harris, Chief Operating Officer of the Minnapolis Downtown Improvement District Mayor R.T. Rybak addresses the attendees to the press event for the introduction of the Downtown Minneapolis Ambassador Program Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District's Chief Operating Officer, Sarah Harris, speaks to attendees of the press event Block by Block's Regional Director of the Midwest Region, Jeff Heinrich, outlines some of the accomplishements of the Ambassador team in its first three weeks of operations. Members of the Ambassador team, who perform cleaning functions, particiapte in the press event formally introducing the team Members of the MDID Ambassador team, who perform hospitality and safety functions, participate in the press event to formally introduce the team Amabassadors launch a special project to houseclean all publication boxes in downtown

Heard On The Street

Minneapolis, MN: “I just wanted to say how friendly and helpful all the DID workers are.  I truly feel safer when going to my Hennepin bus stop knowing they are around, especially in the dark winter months.”

Kari S.
Downtown Minneapolis employee

 

Minneapolis, MN: “I travel to other cities for business, and every time I come back home to Minneapolis I realize how fortunate we are to have the DID.  They are truly amazing and are an undervalued asset!  I want to thank the DID for everything that they do.  It's the small things they do like saying hello and giving directions that make all the difference in the world.  Keep it up!  I am so proud to call Minneapolis home!”

KC
Downtown resident & employee

Minneapolis, MN: “I wanted to say thank you to your team for being such friendly, welcoming people. Because of your presence downtown, we should all take pride in being a Minneapolis resident! Numerous times I have seen your team members helping those who appear to be visitors and their helpful attitude is contagious. Also, as a traveler myself, there's nothing more comforting than seeing an "expert" rushing up to help you navigate the area. In the winter, I am amazed at the positive attitudes and smiling faces as your team is out an about in the cold, helping beautify the streets and sprinkle ice melt to help people get to work safely. “

Mary P.
Minneapolis resident

Minneapolis, MN: "Today I met one of the nice  Ambassadors from the improvement district. You guys do so much for the 120 or so blocks you cover. No other city has this kind of overview. To see these people on the streets makes one feel safer than we used to. Thanks for all your warm kindness in a cold town!"

Orvin T.
Minneapolis, MN 

 

Minneapolis, MN: "I was greeted by an enthusiastic representative of your organization  on Nicollet and 5th on Saturday, and I wanted to tell you what a good idea the program you have developed is and what a good example he set. Such reaching out to pedestrians and shoppers makes the city seem friendlier and safer. Bravo!"

Penny G.
Minneapolis, MN

Hear more from the street...

Minneapolis, MN: "I'm a bike courier working downtown 5 days a week and, today,  I somehow managed to faceplant while crossing the 3rd avenue bridge.  I biked around looking for a place to clean up when someone in a neon jacket called out to get my attention.  This guy then proceeded to bust out a full first aid kit and place in my hands sterile gauze, antibiotic ointment, bandages, and alcohol wipes--basically everything I needed to get myself back together and back to work.  He helped me out more than I had any right to expect.  You've got some good people working for you.  In fact, I can't remember a single time where someone wearing neon green was anything but friendly and helpful.  Well done."

John
Downtown Minneapolis employee 

 

Minneapolis, MN: "I moved to downtown Minneapolis in August of 2011.  I have made it a point to tell some of your people how much I appreciate them but I think you should tell them ALL that their cheerful greetings and big smiles go a long way to make an old lady's walks around town a blessing.  Thank you for all you do!"

Lynne M.
Downtown Minneapolis resident

Minneapolis, MN: "After having my wallet stolen the night before, my day couldn't have gotten worse. To my absolute shock, a Minneapolis DID employee  turned my day around completely the following afternoon - after discovering my ID in a trash can over a mile away from my house, he went out of his way to personally return it to me at my doorstep. After what I'd gone through the night before, I can happily say that his admirable act of kindness restored my faith in humanity. Thank you again!"

Makenzie A.
Downtown Minneapolis resident

Minneapolis, MN: "When I see the Ambassadors, it’s always comforting. Every one of them I see has a smile on their face. They add an air of safety, like somebody’s looking out for you, like they are someone you could ask for anything. This is a brilliant idea for downtown workers. Seeing theAmbassadors is reassuring. Thank you!”

Lynn W.
Downtown Minneapolis employee