Arlington Ambassadors Pour Hearts into Keeping Downtown Clean, Safe
| Jul 15, 2024
This article was shared in part from The Shorthorn, for the full article, please click here: https://bit.ly/BBBArlington
Arlington Ambassadors member Nick Barree joined the group within a week of their launch date, after being known as a “hero” for calling in a kitchen fire during his morning shift near the 101 Center complex. He was proud, but joked that he was “just doing his job.” | Photo by Christine Vo
Kevin Johnson puts his heart into everything he does.
From serving 20 years in the U.S. Air Force to raising a family to cleaning the streets of downtown Arlington, Johnson has always wanted to be a helping hand.
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817-528-1039
Sunday – Friday
7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Services: Litter removal, Graffiti abatement, Power washing, Business check-ins, Hospitality escorts
Less than a year ago, Johnson became the Arlington Ambassadors’ Operations Manager. Launched in November, the Ambassadors work seven days a week to clean from Cooper Street to Collins Street, from West Division Street to UTA Boulevard and those in between, picking up litter, removing graffiti, power washing, conducting business check-ins and being hospitality escorts.
Donning a yellow cap and Downtown Arlington uniform, the team of three works as Clean and Safe Ambassadors to be the “eyes and ears” for the downtown community.
The Arlington Ambassadors serve as an extension of the nonprofit Downtown Arlington, said Maggie Campbell, president and CEO of Downtown Arlington Management Corp.
Whether it’s a subway platform, a busy street or a neighborhood stream, appearance matters, Campbell said. When a community comes together to clean its home, it builds community, ownership and pride.
Left to right: Arlington Ambassadors Ross Craig, Nick Barree and Kevin Johnson make up the Arlington Ambassadors team. The program began in November 2023, bringing Clean and Safe Ambassadors to the city. | Photo by Christine Vo
Downtown Arlington partners with Block by Block, a company serving more than 150 active ambassador programs nationwide. Arlington’s Clean and Safe Ambassadors focus on hospitality and cleaning, but the company also provides safety, outreach, landscaping and transit services.
As part of the Business Improvement District, Campbell saw organizations similar to Downtown Arlington Management Corp. across North America provide ambassador programs, but it took years to build up the financial support for a program, she said.
Arlington Ambassadors member Ross Craig joined the group in February. The team of three work as Clean and Safe Ambassadors to be the “eyes and ears” for the downtown community. | Photo by Christine Vo
The Business Improvement District is a management plan that sets an annual scope of services provided by Downtown Arlington through a contract with the City of Arlington, which includes marketing, economic development, security and beautification services that benefit stakeholders.
June Recap
Abram Alley clean up: 109
Bills/stickers removed: 18
Biohazard clean up – feces: 4
Business contact: 19
Hospitality assistance: 48
Leaf blowing hours: 26
Old Historical House inspection: 122
Power washing-block faces: 17
Safety escorts: 1
Trash: 3,127 lbs
“Making downtown clean and safe is the most important thing to our property owners,” Campbell said. “It’s the foundation.”
The Ambassadors use a system to observe and report throughout shifts. The program tracks pounds of trash, records damage and communicates the need for aid for homeless people they may come across. The data is used for discussion at a monthly beautification committee.
“It helps us make informed decisions about how to adjust services or whatever the priority is that day,” Campbell said.
Block by Block has contracts with Fort Worth, Dallas and Austin, allowing Arlington to pull extra help when necessary.
When Downtown Arlington hosted the Classic Car Show in June, Campbell knew she would need both extra hours and hands. Johnson brought four extra ambassadors to the team for the day as a temporary expansion.
That day, Johnson said the team began work long before the 9 a.m. event started and stayed way past the 3 p.m. end.
“We had all four seasons in that one day,” he said. “It was a typhoon and by the end of the day, it was burning hot. But they never complained at all.”
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