Downtown Tampa Services and Programs

Tampa's Downtown Guides

Tampa's Downtown Guides offer their presence for additional safety by being the eyes and ears for the downtown community. The Guides offer directions, assist stranded motorists with flat tires and dead car batteries, provide restaurant suggestions and even parking options.  The services are FREE.  Their "good-will ambassador" role is a vital part of the Downtown Security Network, working closely with the Tampa Police Department to observe and report suspicious activity. Their mission is simple - to provide a safer and accessible environment for people in downtown.  The Guides patrol downtown on foot, via bicycle and in an electric vehicle called the GEM car.  They receive training by some of the best organizations in the area, including Busch Gardens, the American Automobile Association (AAA) and Tampa's finest - The Tampa Police Department and Tampa Fire Rescue, and are CPR certified.   Additionally, many are certified in Maintenance of Traffic (MOT), enabling them to set-up barricades and street closures for special events.  Next time you are out and about, look for their signature pith helmets and bright yellow shirts.  To reach the Guides, call (813) 267-2220 Tampa's Downtown Guides Hours: Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Special Hours for Ye Mystic Krewe Gasparilla PirateFest: Tampa's Downtown Guides will be on duty Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Downtown Security Network The Downtown Security Network (DSN) was formed in 1994 together with the Tampa Police Department.  The DSN has developed a close working relationship with downtown businesses and residents and delivers important information to the network's members, which total more than a thousand.  It helps deter suspicious activity by being additional eyes and ears, acting as unarmed safety ambassadors.  From crime stats to weather reports, this network is responsible for many of the alerts distributed to the area's working community.  You can subscribe to receive Downtown Security Network notices by clicking here.

Tampa's Downtown Clean Team

Tampa's Downtown Clean Team provides supplemental maintenance to Tampa's downtown sidewalks, gutters and public spaces through edging, weeding, and litter abatement.  Using a state-of-the-art street sweeper (the Green Machine), the team is able to collect  approximately 40 tons of debris each month, in addition to nearly 14 tons collected manually - that's a total of 54 TONS of litter and debris monthly!  Using a structured maintenance work plan, the team ensures that every 220 square blocks of sidewalks and gutters located within the Special Services District receive weed eradication at least once per quarter.  Regular pressure washing is also a service of the Clean Team; cleaning an average of 7 face blocks a month.  Like the Downtown Guides, several of Tampa's Downtown Clean Team members are certified in Maintenance of Traffic (MOT).   

The team is also available for hire to help with maintenance and clean-up at special events.  Event organizers should contact Lynda Remund at (813) 221-3686 or via email at Lremund@tampasdowntown.com for more information. 

To reach the Clean Team, call (813) 267-2221

Tampa's Downtown Clean Team Hours:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 6:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday, 2:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Special Hours for Ye Mystic Krewe Gasparilla PirateFest:

Tampa's Downtown Cleam Team will not be on duty on Saturday, January 28, 2012.  Service will instead be provided on Sunday, January 29, 2012. 

Business Development & Marketing

This program promotes downtown Tampa and the Intown concept by publishing communication pieces, such as Tampa's Downtown Guide Book (PDF File), a weekly online newsletter called Monday Morning Memo, as well as utilizes the tools of social media including Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.   The program serves the downtown commercial leasing agents by providing them with various tools such as access to collective Web sites and the opportunity to meet with other leasing agents and potential tenants in an effort to recruit new business for downtown.  It also focuses its efforts on marketing downtown Tampa by supporting various programs to attract people to downtown throughout the year.

Events Grant Program

As part of the Partnership's goal to foster vitality and economic growth to the community, an events grant program has been established to assist organizations in bringing their activities to downtown Tampa.  The events grant program is funded from a portion of the Special Services District's special assessment.  To find out more about the 2012 Events Grant Program, click here.  Have questions?  Please contact the Tampa Downtown Partnership at (813) 221-3686 to discuss your application prior to submitting it.

Congratulations to the following recipients of the 2011 Events Grant Program:

 Transportation Management Organization (TMO)

The TMO promotes commuter options, current resources and upcoming projects involving or affecting all aspects of downtown transportation.  Serving as the liaison between the private and public sectors, the TMO works to better all matters relating to accessibility and mobility.

Beautification, Urban Planning & Design

This program helps make downtown Tampa more inviting by beautifying green space and public areas through redevelopment projects, landscaping and urban design, and public art.  The proram also supports and partially funds downtown's SSD area and various small-scale projects as needs arise, often in venture with other entities.