July 19, 2022
To Our Downtown Community,
This past year, several of the Downtown St. Louis Community Improvement District’s (District) core service programs evolved, expanding to meet the needs of the Downtown community. We are proud to celebrate the evolution of one program in particular, as this summer marks the one-year anniversary of the Downtown Ambassador Program!
The Downtown Ambassador Program’s mission and operations have a long-time connection with the District, operating from 2002 – 2017 under the name CID Guide Program. This District program was reestablished as the Downtown Ambassador Program in the summer of 2021 based on the recommendation from the Design Downtown STL plan which detailed the immediate need for an ambassador program to enhance customer service and security in the Downtown area. Once measures of implementing the plan began in early 2021, restoring this program and its many services became a high-priority item for the District.
During its original installment, the CID Guide Program deployed Guides throughout the District to provide information and directions to pedestrians, report graffiti and hazardous road or sidewalk obstructions, remove nuisance stickers from electrical boxes and poles, engage in business check-ins, and extend a welcoming presence to visitors and residents alike. Under today’s program, the Downtown Ambassadors maintain these duties along with newer elements which involves utilizing their situational awareness training, enhancing their visual presence and deterrence measures.
We are fortunate to retain the expertise and passion of a few original CID Guides, including Senior Ambassador Melissa. Throughout the past year, Melissa has trained new Downtown Ambassadors on how to connect with the community, adjust their positioning in coordination with Downtown activity, and discern when assistance is needed. Melissa and her colleagues can be seen throughout the District wearing neon yellow shirts, walking or riding a bicycle, seven days a week from 11 am – 7 pm.
The Downtown Ambassador Program brings forth a detailed history with the District. We look forward to ensuring it has an influential future. The Downtown Ambassadors serve as a valuable resource to the community, offering various levels of assistance to those navigating the District as part of our mission to make a cleaner, safer, and better Downtown! If you have any comments or feedback on the Downtown Ambassador Program, please do not hesitate to contact me at kmccrary@downtownstlcid.org or (314) 335-2307.
Sincerely,
Kelli J. McCrary
Executive Director