What is it?

The Downtown Norfolk District was ordained by Norfolk City Council on February 9, 1999. As per the State enabling legislation, Special Services Districts provide property owners the ability to increase the tax assessment on their properties to pay for an enhanced level of service, over and above what City government provides.

Under contract to the City of Norfolk, the Downtown Norfolk Council manages the 48-block district, providing services intended to improve the safety, cleanliness and vitality of downtown Norfolk.

Public Safety Ambassadors and CleanTeam Ambassadors patrol the streets of downtown Norfolk on a daily basis providing directions and information to visitors, providing assistance to the Norfolk Police Department, offering security escorts and maintaining a clean urban environment through a comprehensive program of street sweeping, pressure washing, graffiti removal, trash and leaf pick up and weed removal. The Downtown Services District (DSD) also supports business development through the coordination of comprehensive marketing strategies and initiatives and by providing substantive market and consumer research.

Public Safety and Hospitality

An important area of focus for the Downtown Services District is working to ensure that downtown is a safe and inviting environment for those who work downtown, those who live downtown and those who visit to dine, to shop or be entertained. Uniformed and highly trained Public Safety Ambassadors are charged specifically with the responsibility of achieving these objectives. Their list of services, programs and communications is varied.

Public Safety Ambassadors
Foot Patrols Bicycle Patrols "Eyes and Ears" for local law enforcement Visitor Information Kiosks Concierge Assistance Security Escorts Trespass Enforcement	Daily homeless "sweeps" Referrals to human service programs "Helping Hand - Not a Handout" program Monthly inventory of inoperable street lights Security Training Programs for Business Public Safety Coalition Security Alert System Urban Eye - an opportunity for you to help

For Employment Opportunities, click here.

Public Space Maintenance

Also providing a reassuring presence in pedestrian areas are our uniformed and highly trained Clean Team Ambassadors. Sidewalk sweeping machines (we call them Litter Getters) and pressure washers help them do their jobs more efficiently. Charged specifically with keeping the pedestrian areas clean and free of litter, they also have the seasonal responsibility of leaf and weed removal plus, they work closely with the police and property owners to keep downtown Norfolk graffiti free.

Clean Team Ambassadors
Daily Sidewalk Cleaning 5 Cleaning Machines Trash collection and litter removal Regular pressure washing of sidewalks Graffiti removal	Weed eradication Leaf removal Contract to clean HRT bus shelters Urban Eye - an opportunity for you to help

For Employment Opportunities, click here.

Marketing, Communication and Business Development

The Downtown Norfolk District provides funding for marketing and advertising efforts that benefit all of downtown and the surveys and research that inform decisions about how marketing dollars are spent. This research of the Downtown Services District also supports a comprehensive communication program designed to keep downtowners apprised of what’s happening downtown and what may positively or negatively impact their business or their downtown lifestyle.

Marketing, Promotions & Communication	Business Development & Support
Television, radio and print destination advertising Co-op advertising programs Restaurant Week promotions Holiday events and promotions Construction Impact Mitigation Program Visitor Welcome Kit New Employee Programs Web Site Development, Management and Tracking Guide to Downtown Norfolk Whose Job Is It? Brochure Collateral development and production Weekly Fast Facts Public Relations	Consumer Surveys Worker Surveys Demographic and Psychographic Analysis Data and Information Packaging Office Leasing Support Packaging Monthly Sales & Lease Report Annual Progress Report Special Exception Analysis

Click above to see samples of latest advertising

Place Making

According to Fred Kent, Director of Project for Public Spaces, a "place" is created when sociability, multiple activities and use intersect with comfort, image and access. While these are "key attributes," various intangibles " charm, proximity, diversity and amusements " also exert an important influence.

Much of the work of the Downtown Services District is directed at providing a safe, clean, pleasant and welcoming environment. Flower planters, matching iron trash cans help define the DSD. Capitalizing on the strength of downtown’s arts and entertainment district, the DSD is working to create a "place within a place, " creating a destination defined by both a "feeling" and a "look."

Place Making

• Flower Planters - Changed Seasonally
• Iron Trash Cans
• Granby District Lighting Program

Awards & Recognitions

Through a culture of "always doing our best," the staff of the Downtown Services District constantly strives to maximize potential. A by-product of this high standard of excellence is the recognition that comes from professionals and peer groups, recognition that makes our employees work even harder to be the best.

2008 – Downtown Norfolk Council receives three 2008 Addy Awards for the advertising campaign promoting downtown. The award-winning categories include Black & White Newspaper Campaign, Television Campaign and an individual award to the 15 second Television spot “Desirable”.

2007 – Silver Addy Award for Downtown Norfolk Construction Mitigation Campaign from the Ad Club of Hampton Roads and AIGA

2006 – Honorable Mention Pinnacle Award for Community Awareness Program from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)

2004 – An Award of Merit was presented to the Downtown Norfolk Council by the International Downtown Association for the "Only Downtown" marketing campaign.

2003 – On-going Program of the Year for the DNC Public Safety Ambassador program by the Virginia Governor’s Conference on Travel and Tourism.

2002 – Downtown Norfolk Council and Tidewater Community College received an Award of Merit from the International Downtown Association for the successful creation of an urban community college campus.

2000 – The Private Industry Award presented to the Downtown Services District by the Norfolk Crime Prevention Coalition.

2000 – Award of Excellence presented to the Downtown Services District for Environmental Stewardship by the Norfolk Environmental Commission.

2000 – Outstanding Achievement Award presented to the Clean Team Ambassadors by Applied Sweepers for the best preventative maintenance program in the country.