'Our role in prioritizing city services will become more valuable'

Block by Block has been a part of local maintenance services conglomerate SMS Holdings for more than seven years, during which it has grown its revenues to about $60 million. The business, which manages downtown ambassador programs in more than 70 cities in 28 states, has been led by Blair McBride since the middle of last year. McBride recently talked with Post Editor Geert De Lombaerde about his team's growth at the center of America's flourishing downtowns.

 SMS acquired Block by Block in the summer of 2008. In retrospect, the timing was excellent, given post-recession development trends that have more greatly emphasized urban investment. How has the business -- and what clients want from you -- grown and evolved over the past seven years?