Organizational Issues/Committee snapshots - April 2008

Police/Downtown Entertainment Committee

A second stakeholder meeting on promoter licensing was held on March 3, with approximately 35 entertainment venue owners and
promoters in attendance. One of the primary points of contention with the ordinance is the inclusion of performers as promoters, if they
promote or publicize their performance at a venue in any way. Stakeholders provided verbiage that would exclude performers from the regulation. The ordinance is scheduled for Council approval on April 22. Stakeholder focus groups are being held in March and April to discuss the future integration of entertainment uses in the core. A schedule of meetings can be found on sjdowntown.com.

Fountain Alley Development 

The developer’s rights to the Fountain Alley lot expired in February and the RDA took control of the lot.  Upgrades to the lot are now planned.  Discussions continue with the developer, RDA and the historic preservation community about the appropriate scale for buildings on the site.

Marketing Arts & Dining

The group meets quarterly and did not meet in March. SJDA hosted a meeting on March 6 at Gordon Biersch with downtown restaurants. The group reviewed current marketing projects, provided feedback and discussed ideas for new marketing promotions and advertising
opportunities.

San Pedro Square Committee

Margaret Handyside, owner of Britannia Arms has agreed to take over as chairperson. The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for April
16.

Historic District

The Historic District Committee last met on February 27, and at that meeting learned about upcoming improvements for Fountain Alley and potential plans for a new building on the Porter-Stock and adjacent parcels. The next meeting will be on April 23; all businesses within the district are encouraged to attend to give ideas for streetscape improvements within the district.

Finance Committee 

March 26 meeting was cancelled. Next meeting is April 23.

SOFA (South First Area) Committee

SoFA met March 26. Original Joe's and Café Trieste have committed to the "small wonder" demonstration project. 1stACT is creating a funding mechanism to assist businesses with outdoor street activation with sidewalk cafes or other creative methods. Plans are being developed to renovate Gore Park. New parking wayfiner signs are in the works. Work continues to minimize the impact on large events at the Convention Center on SoFA. Momentum is building on a smarter annual arts-meets technology event that will replace the old SoFA Festival. Next meeting is April 22.

Downtown Parking Board/Parking Committee

The new $2 evening rate went into effect January 2, with little negative feedback. Parking Board met April 2 and continues to monitor Greyhound site acquisition and 3rd Street Garage status.

San Jose Downtown Foundation  

Current acting Trustees Jane Przybysz and Alex Stuart presented historical background and future goals for the Downtown Foundation at the March 14 SJDA board-only meeting to gauge the board’s interest in continuing and growing the Foundation. Three SJDA board members agreed to step up and work on the future structure and mission of the Foundation. This group plans to bring a recommendation on moving the Foundation forward at the next SJDA board-only meeting on May 9.

For updates, please view: www.sjdowntown.com/downtowndoors/index 

PBID Board of Directors

Members met March 18 and the Capital Improvement Subcommittee met on March 11 and March 17. The Finance Committee met February 29 to finalize current year and draft FY 08-09 budgets. The board’s next meeting is April 15.

Bart Ad-hoc 

Staff met with VTA’s new BART project manager Carolyn Godnot and consultant Eileen Goodwin on February 13 for a preliminary discussion on VTA’s BART construction education plan. VTA has nearly completed 65% engineering for the project and should schedule a meeting with SJDA’s BART ad-hoc committee within the next month to discuss project updates. The City’s Transportation and Environmental Committee recommended March 3 that the B of A station as a portal to be placed on hold.

Money Makers Committee

The committee reviewed the list of Music in the Other Park/Music in the Park sponsors/partners, pitching materials as well as the lead list for bannercade advertising, VIP hospitality tents and Lounge in the Park.  Additionally, the committee brainstormed on new leads and/or contacts.  

(Last update April 7, 2008)