Teeya Barnes

Great Places Don’t Happen by Accident: The Power of Public Space Management 

Imagine walking through two downtown districts. One is clean, vibrant, filled with people dining outdoors and browsing local shops. The other has overflowing trash cans, graffiti-covered walls, and empty sidewalks. The difference isn’t luck. It’s place management. 

What Is Public Space Management? 

Public space management, also known as place management, is the coordinated effort to keep public spaces such as downtown districts, business improvement districts (BIDs), parks, transit systems, and campuses clean, safe, and welcoming.

By bringing together local governments, businesses, and community stakeholders, public space management helps create vibrant public spaces. It can determine whether a destination becomes a thriving hub where businesses succeed, residents feel connected, and visitors want to return, or a place people avoid. 

Why Public Space Management Matters 

Public space management directly influences how people experience, use, and invest in a district. Because public spaces are often the first thing they notice, their appearance and condition are essential to creating a positive first impression and overall experience. 

Well-managed public spaces encourage people to spend more time in a district, increase foot traffic and contribute to long-term economic growth, making communities more attractive to visitors and investors. 

Another important aspect of place management is that it’s proactive. Rather than responding to problems as they arise, it identifies and addresses issues before they escalate, helping preserve the vibrancy of public spaces. Even the most thoughtfully designed districts can quickly decline without consistent management and care. 

Common Challenges Without Public Space Management 

Communities without a public space management program often face service gaps that impact appearance and condition of public spaces. Without dedicated Ambassador Teams, responsibility for cleanliness and maintenance can become fragmented across multiple departments. Issues take longer to identify, report, and resolve because no single team is responsible for coordinating them.  

By identifying and resolving issues early, place management helps districts avoid the high costs of deferred maintenance and declining public perception. The result is inviting public spaces where people feel comfortable living, working, shopping and spending time, while supporting long-term growth and community pride.

Signs your Community Could Benefit from Ambassador Services 

Not every community experiences the same challenges, but there are common warning signs that indicate a need for public space management. The following are indicators it may be time to consider implementing a dedicated place management program: 

Operational Signs

• recurring graffiti  
• overflowing trash  
• unresolved maintenance issues 

Economic Signs 

• declining foot traffic  
• vacant storefronts 
• reduced event attendance 

Experience & Perception Signs 

• visitor complaints 
• declining perception of safety  
• businesses expressing concerns 

Conclusion 

Today’s public spaces compete not only on economic opportunities but also on the experiences they provide. Public space management helps ensure that residents, visitors, businesses, and investors experience a district at its best every day.  

Beyond improving appearance and safety, effective public space management fosters a sense of pride, strengthens community connections, and supports the local economy. It helps create environments that encourage activity, attract investment, and enhance the quality of life for everyone who uses the space.

As communities continue to grow and change, the importance of investing in public space management will only increase.

Looking Through a Different Lens: Body Cams Improve Public Safety by Capturing and Deterring 

Block by Block began testing body cameras about a year ago, bringing an added dimension of security and trust for both the Ambassadors who wear them and the communities they serve.

Based on the success and lessons learned from pilot deployments, body-worn cameras are now standard issue for Community Response Officers (CROs) with Block by Block’s sister company, Civicity.

Civicity is a human-centered public safety model developed by Block by Block for modern public spaces, including downtowns, entertainment districts, campuses and transit environments.

“Part of using body cams is to raise the bar as far as the professionalism of a security role or a safety role out in the public spaces,” said Steve Saunders, Civicity’s Vice President of Security Strategy. “It really promotes transparency, professionalism and builds public trust. And those are key elements in why you would have body cams on your uniform as you’re out in the public spaces.”

Body cameras support efforts from de-escalating situations to assisting police with investigations, serving as a reliable source of factual information when needed.

“In my experience, body cams do a great job of providing factual information,” Saunders said. “Sometimes when emotions get elevated, interactions can be misinterpreted, but the body camera captures the video and audio exactly as it happened. It’s very unbiased, so it’s a very good tool for that purpose.”

How do Civicity officers wear body cameras?

CROs and Ambassadors wear body cameras on a harness in the center of their chest, so anyone they encounter can see they are recording — an important step in building public trust and creating calm.

Destiny Mosley, Operations Manager for Louisville Downtown Partnership, has seen firsthand how body cameras have helped.

“It really makes the team feel more confident in the work that they’re doing,” Mosley said. “They can focus on their work without questioning their actions because if something happens, it’s all on camera. There’s no question about it. I think it also builds trust within the community because they know we are taking our job seriously.”

Mosley also says body cameras are a valuable training tool for Ambassadors because supervisors can review footage of responses and openly discuss how to better prepare and improve.

The de-escalation benefits of body cams shouldn’t be overlooked, Saunders added. As CROs and Safety Ambassadors with body cameras arrive during a disruptive or unruly gathering, noise and activity tends to calm down.

“People pay attention and are on their best behavior when they see the cameras,” Saunders said. “Then, our team can talk calmly and use their de-escalation skills to address any problems and get help, if needed.”

What kind of cameras do Block by Block and Civicity use?

While Ambassadors use various versions of body cameras, Civicity CROs are equipped with Halos units as part of their standard uniform equipment.

The high-quality cameras sync with the company’s SMART system and upload video in real time. The SMART System is Block by Block’s proprietary data collection and accountability platform. Footage stored in SMART can be shared with company leaders, partners or authorities.

With real time access, Operations Managers are able to better support Ambassadors and CROs remotely, even while a response is underway.

“If something is happening in the field, even if it’s not an emergency, we can pull up live footage and guide them through the situation, “Mosely said.

Body cameras have also helped Block by Block and Civicity better tell the story of the work being done in the communities they serve.

“It’s an advantage for our customers, too. They see us out working, and we can show them the evidence of what we do,” Saunders said “Sometimes that work is challenging — interacting with individuals facing mental health or substance abuse issues, or those in need of serious intervention. We can share that confidentially with our customers to validate both the importance and impact of our work.”

As body camera technology continues to evolve, it’s clear these devices are not only a tool for safety but also a critical part of building trust, improving performance and strengthening the connection between Block by Block, Civicity and the communities we serve.

Block by Block Announces Andrew Thomas as Vice President, Western Division & Civic Strategy 

LOS ANGELES, CA — Block by Block is proud to announce the appointment of Andrew Thomas as Vice President, Western Division and Civic Strategy. In this role, Thomas will oversee operations across 12 states, supporting teams and clients throughout the region. 

Thomas later served as Executive Director of the Westwood Business Improvement District before returning to Santa Monica as Chief Executive Officer in 2022. Prior to joining Block by Block full-time, Thomas also served as a consultant, providing strategic guidance within the industry. 

“I understand the challenges organizations face and the expectations from stakeholders to deliver high-quality services,” said Thomas. “Having worked closely with business owners, property owners, and boards, I bring a perspective that focuses on what matters most to our clients. My goal is to help Block by Block continue delivering strong, reliable service while supporting the unique needs of each community.” 

Thomas’s background across both the private sector and public place management gives him a well-rounded approach to leadership. 

“I’ve always carried a private sector mindset into public space management,” Thomas added. “That perspective helps drive efficiency, strategic thinking, and a focus on outcomes. It’s not just about services or pricing models — it’s about understanding priorities and creating solutions that truly support our clients.” 

He is particularly passionate about working with stakeholders, improving operations, and helping communities thrive. 

“I believe one of my strengths is the ability to step back and see the bigger picture — understanding what makes each community unique and how we can tailor our services to meet those needs,” said Thomas. 

In addition to his professional experience, Thomas has served on the board of the California Downtown Association since 2014. 

Block by Block has been a trusted partner in downtown management since launching its first program in Louisville, Kentucky in 1995. Today, the company operates in more than 180 locations across the United States, providing clean, safe, hospitality, and outreach services for improvement districts, parks, transit systems, campuses, and other public spaces. With a model grounded in research, best practices, and modern technology, Block by Block continues to evolve in how it serves communities. 

For more information, visit www.blockbyblock.com.