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Since 2005, the Providence Downtown Improvement District (DID) has had a visible presence downtown, working side-by-side with community partners.

The Providence Downtown Improvement District (DID) is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the vitality and quality of life in downtown Providence. Established in 2005, the DID works to improve the physical, economic, and social environment of the area through a range of initiatives and services, including sidewalk cleaning, landscaping, and beautification, public safety programs, marketing and promotion, and community events.

By partnering with local businesses, residents, and city officials, the DID plays a key role in shaping the future of downtown Providence, making it a more welcoming, attractive, and prosperous place for everyone to live, work, and visit.

Meet The Team

Clean Streets for Everyone

The DID Clean Team is on litter patrol every day! You’ll find team members wearing bright yellow uniforms, sweeping the sidewalks and collecting trash throughout the downtown district. They collect an average of nearly 50,000 lbs. of trash each month!

Clean Team members also powerwash sidewalks, remove stickers from street signs and poles, and do touch-up painting of street furniture. In the summer months they do graffiti removal, and in the winter they shovel snow from sidewalk curb cuts. Keeping downtown clean and attractive is a top priority.

Keeping Downtown Safe

DID safety guides work closely with the Providence Police Department and other members of the community to keep downtown safe and welcoming. Every day, they patrol the district on foot, on bike, and on segway, providing extra eyes and ears on the street.

Landscaping

Since 2007, the DID has managed the seasonal downtown planting program, to great acclaim. Starting with 94 hanging baskets and a few planting areas, the program has expanded to now include 292 hanging baskets, 90 large-scale sidewalk planters, and 8 ground-level planting areas.

The gorgeous flowers add a pop of color downtown, and as visitors frequently comment, the city has never looked better!

Streetscape Improvements

The small things really do make a difference! The DID recognizes how important it is to have functioning street lights, adequate bike racks, consistent street signs, easy-to-find trash receptacles and safe sidewalks. We constantly strive to maintain an environment that feels safe, welcoming and attractive.

Our work starts with inventorying and mapping existing street furniture. We communicate with key city departments about problem areas, and we help the city address them. Examples include:

  • DID funding for special downtown trash receptacles.
  • DID funding and placement of bike racks.
  • Advocacy for major sidewalk repairs.
  • Funding and advocacy for new downtown street signs.

Economic Development

The DID is responding to the community’s biggest need, the creation of additional jobs, by promoting the location and expansion of businesses downtown.

Downtown Business Directory
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