Charlottesville hires Block by Block firm to perform services of “Clean Team”

On June 16 of this year, Charlottesville City Council voted 4-1 to approve spending of $8.7 million of contingency money on several “community interventions” including $1.2 million on something called a “Clean Team.”

On September 4, 2025, a contract was awarded to Mydatt Services of Louisville, Kentucky for “Ambassador Services.” They were the only bidder on a request for proposals issued on June 27, 2025.

“In an effort to enhance the mall experience for residents, businesses and visitors the City desires to establish an Ambassador pilot program, focused on cleaning, hospitality and safety services in the area generally surrounding the Downtown Mall Area,” reads the background to that request for proposals.”

MyDatt Services does business as Block by Block. The company started out as Brantley Security Services in 1930 and the company began providing services to its downtown district to the Louisville Downtown Partnership in 1995.

“Today, we serve more than 150 unique programs nationwide, including other aspects of the urban experience such as parks and transit systems,” reads their website. “We still serve our first customer, Louisville Downtown Partnership, and in fact, are headquartered just down the street!”

The RFP for the Charlottesville job has six stated general requirements under the scope of work. Number three is “cleaning and sanitation services” and includes the removal of human waste.

During his presentation to City Council on September 2, Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis referenced the possibility of a “Green Team” as one reason he proposed the consideration of an anti-camping ordinance. (read that story)

“We’re looking at hiring a group called Block by Block where they go down the mall almost like ambassadors and clean the mall,” Kochis said. “The challenge with that, if there are folks who are on the Mall with a lot of belongings, we have no legal framework for them to move. They’re just going to be cleaning around all their belongings and stuff and the camps that are there.”

Here are some of the other uses of the $8.7 million:

• $280,000 for a long-term solution for a public restroom on the Downtown Mall. The city currently rents from York Place.
• $100,000 for a generator for Key Recreation Center, which serves as an emergency shelter
• $500,000 for “urgent infrastructure” projects
• $250,000 for 12 bus shelters
• $1.1 million for parks and recreation improvements (Downtown Mall, Meadow Creek Trail)
• $425,000 to hire two employees for two years to do “street outreach” with individuals who are unhoused

Afton Schneider, the city’s director of communications and public engagement, said the two employees have not yet been advertised.

“We are in discussion with Blue Ridge Area Coalition for the Homeless about expanding their capacity for homeless outreach services,” Schneider said.

Before you go: The time to write and conduct research for this article is covered by paid subscribers to Charlottesville Community Engagement. In fact, this particular installment comes from the September 9, 2025 edition of the program. To ensure this research can be sustained, please consider becoming a paid subscriber or contributing monthly through Patreon.