FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2026

Ambassadors to Provide Assistance and Additional Services on the Downtown Mall  

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The City of Charlottesville is excited to announce that, starting today, the Downtown Mall Ambassadors are out and assisting visitors on the Downtown Mall and surrounding area Wednesdays through Sundays, 1:00 - 9:30 PM.  

With six full-time ambassadors covering 20 blocks, the program boosts city services with environmental cleaning, hospitality, business engagement, and safety support with a visible, welcoming presence downtown.  

This team was created through a partnership with Block by Block, of Louisville, Kentucky and is supported by its real-time SMART tracking system, which monitors progress block-by-block. This offers city leaders and stakeholders data to drive continuous improvement. 

The new team will assist with helping visitors, safety monitoring, cleanup, area beautification, and more. The Charlottesville City Council approved this two-year pilot program on June 16, 2025, with funds from the City’s Capital Improvement Program.   

Mayor Juandiego Wade said, “The Ambassador team is an investment in keeping our mall area welcoming, vibrant, and safe. There is no better time than the Mall’s 50th anniversary to start this effort, and the Ambassadors will help us ensure downtown is clean, inviting, and safe for everyone. This great new program is yet another way the City of Charlottesville is investing in the vitality of the City and helping to support our local businesses.” 

Block by Block has a robust history of working in vibrant downtown areas since its first program was launched in Louisville in 1995. More than strictly a clean and safe service provider, Block by Block has developed an optimized operating model built on best practices, research and development, and modern technology that has attracted partnerships in more than 150 locations nationwide. This includes downtowns, improvement districts, parks, college campuses, transit systems, and other public spaces. 

Media Contact
Afton Schneider
Director of Communications and Public Engagement
City of Charlottesville
434-996-0331
media@charlottesville.gov