If you’re traveling through downtown St. Paul on a weekday, don’t be surprised if you’re greeted by an extra how-do-you-do.

The Downtown Alliance — a coalition of businesses working with the city of St. Paul — will launch its new “Streets of Summer” initiative Monday by sending out professional greeters to four “priority areas”: Central Station, Rice Park, Hamm Plaza and Landmark Plaza.

The five greeters, designed to create a cleaner, more visitor-friendly and navigable downtown during the work week, are part of the Downtown Alliance’s pilot stewardship program — a test run of a potential business improvement district.

Minneapolis and many other cities host improvement districts, which are generally funded by taxes, fees or dues from local businesses and can take different forms. In St. Paul, the Streets of Summer teams will not provide official security services, but the expectation is that extra sets of eyes and ears Monday through Friday will still benefit public safety.

They’ll pick up litter, offer directions to visitors and work with local business owners. The street teams are managed by Block by Block, a national organization.

More community activities, art projects and social events are planned. The Minnesota Music Coalition will bring a variety of musicians to perform four times a week, for 60 to 90 minutes a day, throughout the summer.

As of mid-June, the St. Paul Farmers Market will sell flowers throughout the four areas as well. Throughout June, artist Daniela Bianchini will decorate garbage receptacles with art.

In 2019, Streets of Summer is funded by the Knight Foundation, St. Paul bankers-turned-philanthropists John and Ruth Huss, and Dr. Lowell Hellervik, a psychologist and management consultant known for hosting charitable and political fundraisers downtown. Related Articles St. Paul City Council approves $600,000 charge for downtown improvement district

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In 2018, the Downtown Alliance hosted “Pop-ups at Central Station,” a series of performance events and lawn games in a shaded seating area at Fifth and Minnesota streets.

More information is online at stpdowntownalliance.org/summer.