Who we are

San Jose Downtown Association

Downtown San Jose is our business

The San Jose Downtown Association represents more than 2,000 businesses, non-profits and property owners who work collaboratively to enhance the Downtown experience. We make downtown a better place.

How we do it

Our impact

1
visits Friday-Sunday in past year. Busiest Time: 8-10 p.m.
1
reach annually on social media
$ 0
in annual economic impact from 100+ days of event programming
1 lbs
debris and trash removed per year
1
graffiti abated per year
1
street trees planted
1
planters and hanging installed
1
murals curated
1
downtown doors with student artwork
1
visits Sept. 1, 2022 through Aug. 31, 2023

Our organization

Business and Property-based Improvement Districts

Business

Improvement District
The San Jose Downtown Association was founded through the creation of a Business Improvement District in 1986. Every business within the BID boundaries is a member of the Downtown Association.
 
The 501(c)6 non-profit corporation oversees events, marketing and advocacy services, and is governed by a Board of Directors representing businesses and residents.

Property-Based

Improvement District

Best known for its Groundwerx program, the PBID was established in 2007 and provides clean and safe services, small business and permitting assistance and beautification projects.  Property owners fund these service.

A group of property owners forms the Board of Directors, which governs the programs of the 501(c)6 non-profit organization.

Business Improvement District FAQ

BID stands for Business Improvement District. A BID is authorized by state law and created by the city council. Its purpose is to promote and improve a specific area for the benefit of businesses within the area. The BID fee a property assesment that pays for that work. In San Jose, the city assesses all business license holders a BID fee annually.

The San Jose Downtown BID is bounded roughly by Julian Street, Fourth Street and highways 280 and 87, where it jogs west to include the arena and the train station, and Coleman Loop area.

Every year since 1989, the San Jose Downtown Association (SJDA), a nonprofit organization, has been selected by the city council to manage the Downtown BID. Every business in the boundaries pays fees and is automatically a member of the Downtown Association. The members elect a board of directors to determine budgets and programs.

No. Since 1989, the BID has been raised three times: in 1994, when the BID boundaries extended to include the Arena area; in 2003 to include San Jose MarketCenter, and a modest rate adjustment in 2011.

BID fees represent about 25 percent of SJDA’s budget. The rest of SJDA revenue comes from earned income through events and sponsorships, plus contracts and fees for services. For every dollar the business community puts into the BID, four more dollars are leveraged by SJDA to improve Downtown. By state law, the BID money can only be used to support general business activities, promote public events, decorate public places and provide music and entertainment in the BID area. The Downtown Association uses its budget to promote downtown through stragetic marketing, by helping businesses navigate city hall and events including Music in the Park.

BID funds are spent on a variety of projects including advertising, marketing brochures, maps, websites, weekly e-letters, holiday lighting and events. SJDA advocates on behalf of BID members for a vital and vibrant Downtown for businesses, their clients, customers and employees. Association staff members are available to assist BID businesses and property owners and address their individual concerns. SJDA provides a strong voice for Downtown to the media, government officials and policy makers and manages the Groundwerx clean, safe and beautiful services.

San Jose Downtown Association

Board of Directors

Emily Ruvalcaba

Emily Ruvalcaba*
Chair
Bridge Bank

Adolfo Gomez

Adolfo Gomez*
Vice Chair
Mezcal Restaurant

Garrett Perez*

Garrett Perez*
Treasurer
Pinnacle Peak Advisors, LLC

Anjee Helstrup-Alvarez*

Anjee Helstrup-Alvarez*
Secretary
MACLA

Alan "Gumby" Marques*

Alan “Gumby” Marques*
Immediate Past Chair
Heroes Martial Arts

Andrew Jacobson*
Westbank Projects Corp 

Brendan Rawson*

Brendan Rawson*
San Jose Jazz

Chris Shay

Chris Shay*
Sharks Sports & Entertainment

David Mulvehill*
Nouveau Hospitality Group

Edwin Tan*

Edwin Tan*
San José State University

Indu Chakravarthy*

Indu Chakravarthy*
RMW Architecture Interiors

Nick Goddard*
Colliers International

Sanjeev Sethi*

Sanjeev Sethi*
Adobe

*Executive Committee Member

Blair Carson

Blair Carson
Pageboy

Cache Bouren
Cash Only Bar

Corinda Wong

Corinda Wong
Gensler

Dan Pulcrano

Dan Pulcrano
Metro Silcon Valley 

Dap Ashaolu
Nirvana Soul

Chien-Hale, Elizabeth

Elizabeth Chien-Hale
Appleton Luff

Eric Nielsen
55 South and SP2

Frank Nguyen

Frank Nguyen
Academic Coffee

Gino De Bernardo
Comerica Inc.

Joshua Melander

Joshua Melander
Provident Credit Union

Laura Riparbelli
Hoge, Fenton,
Jones & Appel, Inc.  

Leah Toeniskoetter
San Jose Chamber of Commerce

Maia Harris

Maia Harris
Jay Paul Company 

Stan Vuckovich
KBM-Hogue

Interested in joining the board? Contact us at sjda@sjdowntown.com

SJDA Financials

SJDA receives financial support from private sponsors and contributing members, the Business Improvement District, Knight Foundation and the City of San Jose.

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Love the Downtown Doors program showcasing student artists on utility doors and boxes? The San Jose Downtown Foundation is focused on enhancing the cultural, aesthetic and educational environment downtown. The foundation also funded murals and other projects. It is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization governed by a Board of Trustees.

The Downtown Community Development Corporation (DCDC)’s mission is to stimulate public and private investment, community partnerships and resources to support the revitalization of Downtown San Jose.

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