Downtown Tucson Partnership Marks First Year of Measured Progress
TUCSON, Ariz. (April 7, 2026) — More than a year into a renewed focus on downtown operations, the Downtown Tucson Partnership (DTP) has advanced a targeted initiative to strengthen safety, support local businesses, and create a more welcoming environment for residents, workers, and visitors.
Since late 2024, DTP has prioritized improvements in cleanliness, walkability, public safety coordination, and business support—grounded in a long-term approach to downtown vitality and economic stability. These efforts reflect a continued commitment to public-private collaboration and district-wide investment.
Over the past year, DTP has also expanded its organizational capacity, including the addition of a Marketing and Communications Manager to enhance outreach, event promotion, and stakeholder engagement. These efforts complement the longstanding work of DTP’s Clean & Safe team, which continues to deliver daily services that support a well-managed downtown environment.
“Our work at DTP is focused on steady, visible progress that supports our merchants, workforce, residents, and visitors,” said President and CEO Crystal Moore, appointed on November 1, 2024.
DTP’s Clean & Safe Ambassador program completed 134,369 tasks in 2025, including more than 51,000 direct visits to downtown businesses. These visits help address safety concerns, report maintenance issues such as graffiti or lighting, coordinate city services, and connect businesses with police or outreach teams when needed.
Ambassadors also removed nearly 30,000 instances of trash and litter, cleared more than 3,200 graffiti tags, and performed more than 1,200 pressure-washing services—contributing to a cleaner and more inviting downtown.
In response to mid-2025 changes in Tucson Police Department patrol staffing, DTP increased ambassador coverage, coordinated with off-duty officers during peak times, and strengthened block watch and conflict-reduction strategies. These efforts are supported through continued partnerships with Rio Nuevo, the City of Tucson, and Pima County.
DTP’s work has helped support strong attendance at major downtown events in 2025, including an estimated 25,000 attendees at the Downtown Parade of Lights, as well as continued high participation during Halloween Weekend and New Year’s Eve celebrations. Partnerships with organizations such as the Tucson Sugar Skulls and Tucson Roadrunners have also driven additional foot traffic and economic activity on game days.
“People are choosing to come downtown, and we’re seeing that reflected in event turnout and daily activity across the district,” said Hilary Van Alsburg, Executive Director of Children’s Museum of Tucson and Chair of the Downtown Tucson Partnership Board of Directors.
Looking ahead to 2026 and 2027, DTP will continue investing in safety infrastructure, pedestrian improvements, expanded ambassador services, and strategic marketing efforts to support residential growth and business development.
“Downtown Tucson is a shared space, and our role is to ensure it remains clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone,” Moore said.
About Downtown Tucson Partnership
Founded in 1998, the Downtown Tucson Partnership (DTP) is a nonprofit organization that manages and markets the Downtown Tucson Business Improvement District, supporting the property owners, businesses, and residents who make up downtown. The district spans 54 blocks in downtown Tucson's heart, centered on Congress and Stone Avenues. Funded primarily through a stakeholder-approved property assessment, DTP provides enhanced safety, cleaning, marketing, economic development, and placemaking services designed to strengthen downtown’s role as Southern Arizona’s civic and economic center. Please find us on the web at https://downtowntucson.org/ and through our socials: Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
# # #
For further information, please contact
Brian Garrido
brian@getswooned.com
(323) 206-8293