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Council backs staff study of downtown ambassador pilot after Bloomberg‑Harvard 'Third Space' presentation
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Summary
After a team reported on Salem’s participation in the Bloomberg‑Harvard collaboration and recommended a cleanliness entry point for downtown, the council unanimously directed staff to study a downtown ambassador program and options for a pilot, and advanced an annexation ordinance to second reading.
The council on April 27 received a multi‑department report on Salem's participation in the Bloomberg‑Harvard cross‑boundary collaboration, then voted to direct staff to evaluate a downtown ambassador pilot that could integrate with existing Clean, Safe, and Healthy Salem efforts.
Courtney Knox Bush, assistant city manager, described the project’s problem statement as “highly visible, highly visible unpredictable behavioral health crises occurring in Salem's downtown,” and she said the seven‑member delegation and a broader group of 30 identified cleanliness and coordinated service response as an immediate, visible entry point to improve perceptions and restore foot traffic.
Assistant Chief Brandon Ditto said the city joined the Bloomberg‑Harvard program after shared recognition of downtown challenges in police, fire and service providers, and described the program as a tested strategic framework for collaborative pilots. The team proposed early‑morning cleanups, a reporting app to speed incident information to response teams, and sustained seven‑day cleaning and outreach in coordination with the REACH team, Clean Team and nonprofit partners.
Councilor Nishioka moved a resolution directing staff to evaluate the feasibility of a downtown ambassador program—asking for structure, governance options (city led or partnership models), scope, estimated costs, integration protocols with existing teams (clean team, homeless services, REACH), best practices from peer cities, anticipated impacts (safety perception, business support, call volumes) and pilot options. City staff told council they lack immediate capacity for a full analysis but committed to return in the coming months with pilot approaches that leverage existing partnerships and potential funding sources (including downtown parking revenues and other funds) rather than an immediate new budget ask.
The council debated scope and funding sources and asked staff to include measurable success metrics; Councilor Varney asked for measurable data points to track outcomes rather than only perception measures. Councilor Nordyke emphasized the need to fund the full housing and shelter continuum so outreach has places to refer people. The motion passed on roll call with all members voting Aye.
Votes at a glance • Motion directing staff to evaluate a downtown ambassador program: moved by Councilor Nishioka; seconded; vote: unanimous Aye (motion passes). • Ordinance Bill No. 6‑26 (first reading advanced to second reading): annexation of territory at 2170 Walker Road NE and 4893 Sunnyview Road NE; vote to advance passed (Councilor Brown recorded Nay; motion advances to second reading).
What happens next: Staff will develop draft pilot approaches that use existing partnerships and return to council with options and cost estimates in the coming months.
