By Kris Michell | Downtown Partnership News

This spring, the Downtown San Diego Partnership’s Clean & Safe Program, which works to keep our Downtown safe and looking its best year-round, was overwhelmingly endorsed and approved to continue its work for another 10 years.

A stunning 83 percent of Downtown property owners, as well as a unanimous City Council, confirmed they wanted the Clean & Safe Program to continue. It’s an exhilarating endorsement from the people who have seen what’s happening up close.

It’s also a validation of our mission. We at Clean & Safe see our work as a legitimate partnership with the community we serve. It’s a collaborative coalition of like-minded citizens and property owners who are pulling together to make a significant difference. The fruits of our combined efforts are essential to the ongoing evolution of our urban center.

Take a look at what’s been accomplished since the beginning of the year:

• Removed 10,479 pieces of graffiti
• Removed 385.76 tons of debris
• Swept 74,000 sidewalks
• Pulled more than 44,000 weeds
• Visited more than 6,300 businesses
• Provided directional assistance to visitors and residents more than 9,000 times
• Responded to more than 30,600 security calls

Clean & Safe is also on the cutting edge, continuously exploring opportunities to innovate the services we provide. This year alone, Clean & Safe has:

• Launched a gum removal pilot program using ice-blasting technology
• Conducted a scientific study to determine the most effective product for removing odor in an urban environment
• Implemented a state-of-the-art data tracking system using real-time technology to increase efficiency and reduce costs

But we’ll hardly be resting on our laurels. The transformation of Downtown San Diego has been galvanizing since the formation of Clean & Safe 12 years ago, but we’ve listened to the community and we realize there is still work to be done.

In the months to come, you will see the Clean & Safe program provide even more of the services Downtown property owners have been asking for, including additional beautification and place-making efforts, and enhanced safety and maintenance programs.

Visually, there will be more lights in trees, helping to buttress a festive atmosphere, and an increase in drought-tolerant plantings, to bring livelier flora without further stressing our water needs. More Maintenance Ambassadors and Safety Ambassadors will be added to the mix and a significant increase in homeless outreach services is a top priority.

It’s been a great ride so far, but the finish line’s not yet been crossed. The deep and wide support for the Clean & Safe’s efforts so far has been inspiring and invigorating and provides a foundation for an urban renaissance that has been extremely successful.

Clean & Safe has been a critical part of Downtown’s transformation into a vibrant, distinctive urban center. Along with our thanks for your support, we pledge this:

The best is yet to come.

—Kris Michell is the president and CEO of the Downtown San Diego Partnership, a nonprofit, member-based organization that oversees the Clean & Safe program and serves as the leading advocate for the revitalization and economic health of Downtown. For questions or comments, email [email protected].