Yearlong impact of downtown Rochester’s Clean and Safe Ambassador Program

Release Date: June 30, 2021

Media Contact: Katie Adelman
Rochester Downtown Alliance
Office: 507-216-9886
Email: kadelman@downtownrochestermn.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Yearlong impact of downtown Rochester’s Clean and Safe Ambassador Program

ROCHESTER, Minn.—July 1 marks one year since the Clean and Safe Ambassador Program started in downtown Rochester, and it has made a big impact in those 365 days.

From July 1, 2020 to June 29, 2021, the Clean and Safe Ambassadors have accomplished the following:

Picked up 60,042 cigarette butts
Disinfected 6,502 infrastructures (high-touch areas like crosswalks, parking meters, and public seating)
Cleaned 2,963 infrastructures
Disposed of 1,866 COVID-19 masks
Provided 1,681 hospitality assists
Removed 1,574 pieces of graffiti
Cleared snow from 1,473 corners
Collected 1,317 bags of trash
Pulled weeds from 1,139 blocks
Cleaned 1,058 bus stops

“I think the Ambassadors are professional, give excellent directions, and are extremely friendly,” said Ken Nuss of Victoria’s Ristorante. “At first, I wasn’t sure how the program was going to impact the downtown, but I have come to respect them for their diligence and responsiveness. They do their job well.”

“The Clean and Safe Ambassadors have allowed the Rochester Downtown Alliance to create and maintain more public amenities, welcome folks to our community, and increase communications with our downtown businesses. This program has become a vital piece in how we are building an inviting downtown community,” Karli McElroy, RDA director of operations.

The program is funded by the City of Rochester, Mayo Clinic, and the downtown Rochester special service district members. It does not replace but enhances the City of Rochester’s work by bringing additional improvements to downtown Rochester’s appearance.

The Clean and Safe Ambassadors provide daily cleaning, safety, and hospitality services throughout the RDA’s 44-block SSD from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

Visit DowntownRochesterMN.com/CleanandSafe for more information about downtown Rochester’s Clean and Safe Ambassador Program.

About the Rochester Downtown Alliance
The Rochester Downtown Alliance is a nonprofit corporation comprised of a broad range of people representing property owners, business leaders, the city and others with a direct stake in enhanced business and economic development conditions in the downtown district. We work together to build a vibrant downtown community. We believe a strong core positively impacts the greater city of Rochester. Through a series of special events, activities, and initiatives, we create energy, excitement, and a unique character to Downtown Rochester, Minnesota.

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