HomeMy WebLinkAboutCED Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) Business Assessment Annual Renewal____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting: December 1, 2025
Disposition: Resolution 15481
Agenda Item No: 4.c
Meeting Date: December 1, 2025
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Community & Economic Development
Prepared by: Stacey Laumann
Sr. Management Analyst
City Manager Approval: ______________
TOPIC: DOWNTOWN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID) BUSINESS ASSESSMENT
ANNUAL RENEWAL
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION APPROVING THE DOWNTOWN SAN RAFAEL BUSINESS
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ANNUAL REPORT, DECLARING THE CITY COUNCIL’S
INTENTION TO LEVY AN ANNUAL ASSESSMENT FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2026 FOR
THE DOWNTOWN SAN RAFAEL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, AND
SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the resolution approving the San Rafael Business District
Annual Report, declaring the City Council’s intention to levy an annual assessment for calendar year
2026 for the Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District at a public hearing to be set on
December 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
BACKGROUND:
Section 36500 of the California Streets and Highways Code allows for the creation of a business
improvement district (BID) within a municipality, whereby businesses within the district self-assess an
annual fee to pay for improvements and activities that benefit the overall business district. The intent of
the state law is to provide a funding mechanism for business districts to promote economic vitality. The
City of San Rafael’s role is to levy and collect membership fees from businesses within the district.
In 1979, businesses in Downtown San Rafael established a BID. This original district included
approximately 125 businesses along Fourth Street between Lincoln Avenue and E Street. In 2013, the
City Council voted to replace it with a larger district of approximately 700 businesses along Fourth Street.
The expanded district includes the West End and some side streets, as well as non-ground floor tenants
and other tenants not included in the original BID. The year 2025 marks the second complete year of BID
administration by the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, a transition that started in September 2023.
The BID has achieved many notable accomplishments in 2025, as highlighted in its Annual Report
(Attachment 2), including two annual events reaching their second and fourth years of celebration, 35th
Annual May Madness, the expansion of its two volunteer-led beautification programs (mulching and
graffiti removal), and the featuring of its Annual Clean and Green Day on KTVU.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
ANALYSIS:
State law requires the BID to submit to the City Council an annual report for which assessments are to
be levied and collected to pay the costs of the improvements and activities described in the report. The
report may propose changes, including, but not limited to, the boundaries of the parking and business
improvement area or any benefit zones within the area, the basis and method of levying the assessments,
and any changes in the classification of businesses, if a classification is used.
Staff reviewed the San Rafael Downtown BID’s 2025 Annual Report and the BID's 2026 Budget & 2025
Financial Summary (Exhibit C) and found that they meet the required elements as follows:
1.There are no proposed changes in the boundaries of the BID.
2.The budget outlines the improvements and activities programmed for the calendar year 2026.
3. The budget outlines the estimated cost of improvement and activities outlined for the calendar
year 2026.
4.The budget outlines the surplus or deficit being carried over from the previous calendar year.
5.The budget outlines contributions anticipated from sources other than assessments, including
City funds.
For calendar year 2026, the annual assessment levy totaling an estimated $65,000 is proposed to be
assessed at the same rate as prior years. See Exhibit B to the Annual Report for the 2026 Assessment
Formula.
BID Renewal Process
Per state law, to renew the annual assessment, the City Council must first adopt a Resolution of Intention
to Levy an Annual Assessment and set a public hearing for a future date. In accordance with state law,
the annual renewal process for the BID assessment will take place at two City Council meetings as
follows:
Meeting #1 – December 1, 2025
Adopt a Resolution of Intention to Levy an Annual Assessment: The City Council will consider action to
accept the BID annual report and adopt the resolution of intention to levy an annual assessment for
calendar year 2026. The resolution sets a public hearing date of December 15th, 2025.
Meeting #2 – December 15, 2025
Public Hearing on Annual Assessment: The City Council will have the opportunity to receive additional
public input on the annual BID assessment and to confirm the levy of an assessment for the upcoming
calendar year 2026.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
The BID will notify its members of the annual renewal process through its member communications,
including the BID e-newsletter, notifications on the BID website, and through agenda items at the monthly
BID Board meeting. The City will also provide notice of the December 15, 2025, public hearing of the
annual assessment in the Marin Independent Journal.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The proposed BID assessment would generate an estimated $65,000 for 2026. Assessment revenues
collected by the City are passed on to the Chamber of Commerce, which administers the funding provided
to the BID by the annual assessment through a separate agreement. All administrative costs associated
with collecting the assessment are absorbed by the City’s General Fund.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3
OPTIONS:
The City Council has the following options to consider on this matter:
1. Accept the report and adopt the resolution as presented.
2. Accept the report and adopt the resolution with modifications.
3.Decline to accept the report and decline to adopt the resolution.
4.Take no action.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the resolution approving the San Rafael Business District
Annual Report, declaring the City Council’s intention to levy an annual assessment for calendar year
2026 for the Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District at a public hearing to be set on
December 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2.BID 2025 Annual Report, including:
A.Exhibit A: BID Map
B.Exhibit B: 2026 BID Assessment Formula
C.Exhibit C: BID 2026 Budget & 2025 Financial Summary
RESOLUTION NO. 15481
RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL APPROVING THE DOWNTOWN SAN
RAFAEL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ANNUAL REPORT, DECLARING THE CITY
COUNCIL’S INTENTION TO LEVY AN ANNUAL ASSESSMENT FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2026
FOR THE DOWNTOWN SAN RAFAEL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, AND SETTING
A PUBLIC HEARING
WHEREAS, California Streets and Highways Code Sections 36500 et seq. authorizes
cities to establish parking and business improvement areas for the purpose of promoting
economic revitalization and physical maintenance of business districts, in order to create jobs,
attract new businesses, and prevent erosion of business districts; and
WHEREAS, the Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District (“BID”) was
established in 2013 to amend the existing Parking and Business Improvements District instituted
in 1979 in the commercial area on and around the Fourth Street corridor in San Rafael; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to San Rafael Municipal Code Chapter 10.09 and California Streets
and Highways Code Section 36533, the Advisory Board of the BID shall prepare an annual report
for each calendar year in which assessments are to be levied, which the City Council shall review;
and
WHEREAS, the BID Advisory Board has prepared and filed with the City Clerk its “BID
2025 Annual Report” required by San Rafael Municipal Code Section 10.09.080;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of San Rafael as
follows:
1. The BID 2025 Annual Report is hereby received and approved.
2. There are no proposed changes to the boundaries of the parking and business, and
improvement area.
3. The City Council intends to levy and collect an annual benefit assessment for calendar
year 2026 on businesses in the Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District.
4. The proposed assessments are to pay for the improvements as set forth in San Rafael
Municipal Code Section 10.09.060, and no changes are proposed.
5. The proposed assessments are to be levied in the Downtown San Rafael Business
Improvement District, which is in the area described by San Rafael Municipal Code Section
10.09.040.
6. The BID 2025 Annual Report, which is on file with the City Clerk, includes a detailed
description of the improvements and activities to be provided for that fiscal year, the boundaries
of the area and the benefit zones within the area, and the proposed assessments to be levied
upon the businesses within the area for that fiscal year.
7. New businesses shall not be exempt from payment of the fee.
8. A public hearing to consider the levy of the BID assessment shall be held before the City
Council on December 15, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 1400 Fifth Avenue, San
Rafael, California or by teleconference by visiting
https://www.cityofsanrafael.org/departments/public-meetings/ for the call-in phone number and
meeting ID listed on the agenda (or using the Zoom app to connect to this meeting ID).
At the public hearing, the testimony of all interested persons, for or against the levy of the
BID assessment or on any of the matters included in the assessment, will be heard and all protests
collected.
9. A protest against the assessment of the BID, or any aspect of the assessment, may be
made in writing or orally at the public hearing. To be counted as a part of a majority protest against
the assessment of the BID, a protest must be in writing and from a business in the BID. A written
protest may be withdrawn from the record at any time before the conclusion of the public hearing.
Each written protest shall contain a written description of the business in which the person signing
the protest is interested, sufficient to identify the business, and its address. If the person signing
the protest is not shown on the official records of the City of San Rafael as the owner of the
business, then the protest shall contain or be accompanied by written evidence that the person is
the owner of the business. Any written protest of the regularity of the proceedings shall be in
writing and clearly state the irregularity or defect to which objection is made.
10. If at the conclusion of the public hearing on December 15, 2025 there is a record of written
protests by business owners within the BID who will pay fifty percent (50%) or more of the total
assessments of the entire BID, no further proceedings to levy the proposed assessment shall
occur for a period of at least one year from the date of the finding of the majority written protest
by the City Council. If the majority written protest is against the furnishing of a specified type or
types of improvement or activity within the area, those types of improvements or activities shall
be eliminated.
11. Further information regarding the Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District
may be obtained from the Economic Development Division at 1400 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA
94901.
12. The City Clerk is directed to give notice of said public hearing by publishing this resolution
of intention once in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of San Rafael, at least seven
days before the hearing; and by mailing a complete copy of this Resolution of Intention to those
interested parties who have filed a written request with the local agency for mailed notice of public
meetings or hearings on new or increased general taxes.
I, LINDSAY LARA, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing
Resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council
of the City of San Rafael, held on December 1, 2025, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Bushey, Hill, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Mayor Kate
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
Lindsay Lara, City Clerk
2025
ANNUAL REPORT
DowntownSanRafael.org ~ 415-849-1874 ~ Info@SRBID.org
Downtown San Rafael Business
Improvement District& 2026 PLAN
THE BID MISSION IN ACTION
DowntownSanRafael.org ~ 415-849-1874 ~ Info@SRBID.org
Dear fellow BID Members,
I would like to thank all
of the BID members for
their continued support.
You are the reason why we continuously
look for ways to bring more foot traffic
downtown.Why we look for new ways to
beautify Downtown.Why we look for ways
to keep Downtown businesses and visitors
safe.We are committed to you and the
vibrancy of Downtown San Rafael.2025
has been a year of growth.We have had
growth in our BID Memberships,growth in
our event participation and revenue,we
hope this results in growth walking into
your business.2025 has also been a year
of change.We have started the ball rolling
on exploring the opportunity to become a
Community Based District(CBID).This
could allow us to do more when it comes
to our main pillars of Beautification,
Cleanliness,Safety and Events for
Downtown.What is not changing is our
commitment to you and Downtown.We
will share information with you as we get
them as we are all in this together.
Respectfully,Terrance Thornton
President,Business Improvement District
Owner,San Rafael Marial Arts
LETTER FROM
THE PRESIDENT
ADVISORY BOARD & STAFF 2025-26
The Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District (BID)began as a 501 C(6)nonprofit corporation established in 1979 to
revitalize the downtown corridor and promote the common interests of Downtown businesses.Through attention to streetscape,
marketing and promotions,special events,and advocating on issues of safety,public parking,and other factors affecting the
economic vitality of the downtown district,the BID fulfills its mission.The BID is a special assessment district formed to fund
services,activities,and programs above and beyond services provided by the City,for the purpose of improving the common areas
and strengthening businesses within the district.
Join our team &
become a board
member!
Karen Strolia
President & CEO, San
Rafael Chamber of
Commerce
BID PURPOSE & HISTORY:
BID PROGRAM OVERVIEW 2025
DowntownSanRafael.org ~ 415-849-1874 ~ Info@SRBID.org
IN 2025, THE BID MANAGED 25 DIFFERENT MARKETING
PROGRAMS, PROJECTS, AND EVENTS
The Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District manages 25 programs and projects designed to
promote downtown businesses, foster community, and help beautify. These initiatives are organized into
seven categories: Promotion & Marketing, Beautification, Business Engagement, Arts, Fundraising
Events, Community & Art Events, and Holiday Promotions.
Below is the program overview. The rest of this report will provide details, images, and statistics for each
program.
1. Promotion & Marketing:
•Social Media Programming
•Weekly IJ Ads & Promotions
•Downtown Business Event Calendar
•3rd Annual Fe-BREW-ary
•Juneteenth Promo
•Website Management
2. Beautification:
•Intersection Mulching Project
•Graffiti Removal Funding
•Clean & Green Day on Earth Day
3. Business Engagement:
•Mixers (Baseball, Fall & Holiday)
•Monthly Newsletters
4. Arts Programming (via DSRAD):
•Art Programming Support
•Utility Box Art Program (coming soon)
5. Fundraising Events:
•35th Annual May Madness Car Show
•2nd Annual Dancing Under the Lights
•5th Annual Hops & Vines Stroll
6. Community & Art Events:
•2nd Annual Lunar New Year Art Walk
•2nd Annual Pride Art Walk
•Trick or Treat on Fourth
•4th Annual Elf Hunt
•4th Annual Menorah Lighting
7. Holiday Promotions:
•Holiday Window Contest
•Shop Small Saturday
•Downtown San Rafael Holiday Gift Guide
•West End Holiday Ads
Dear Friends of Downtown San Rafael,
As a 3rd-generation Marinite,passionate supporter of the arts,and
San Rafael resident,I am honored to continue to serve as Director of
our Business Improvement District.
Wrapping up my fourth year,I’m proud to finally see this work mature
and settle across seven key focus areas:Promotion &Marketing,
Beautification,Business Engagement,Arts,Fundraising Events,
Community &Art Events,and Holiday Promotions.
In 2025,the BID had roughly $60k in assessments and allocated about
$60k for core operations like payroll,insurance,and technology.So,to
make our marketing programs possible,I remained committed to
producing events and promotions that either raise funds or pay for
themselves to ensure that our downtown enjoys a full calendar of
activity and promotion year-round.
This year,I saw a few of our “first annuals”grow into second and
fourth annual traditions.Our two volunteer-led beautification
programs (mulching and graffiti removal)helped keep downtown
looking clean.Our Annual Clean &Green Day on Earth Day was even
featured live on KTVU with an interview by our BID Secretary!
Looking ahead to 2026,my priorities are to strengthen our existing
programs and expand fundraising to grow our beautification budget.
DSRAD’s public art projects will come to life in June,making Downtown
San Rafael look more like the Arts hub it is celebrated as.Our social
media contractor will continue to shine a spotlight on downtown
businesses.Our website will stay up to date to keep the community
informed with its event calendar and news section.
A giant thank you to Karen Strolia,CEO of the San Rafael Chamber,for
a fabulous,fun,and productive year of partnership.Also,to the City of
San Rafael staff for their excellent support this past year.And last but
not least,to our President Terrance and the BID Advisory Board for
their dedication,volunteerism,and passion for our awesome
Downtown!
All the Best,
Sarah Tipple, Director
BID PROMOTION/MARKETING 2025
DowntownSanRafael.org ~ 415-849-1874 ~ Info@SRBID.org
Promotion & Marketing:
•Social Media Programming –Our professional
contractor highlights our downtown businesses to
thousands of followers,ensuring Downtown San
Rafael is top-of-mind for shopping,dining,and
entertainment.With over 8k followers on both,IG
increased by 450 and 200 on Facebook this past year.
•Weekly IJ Ads &Promotions –We invest in recurring
ads with the Marin IJ Entertainment weekly email blast
to spotlight downtown as a destination,helping
businesses gain visibility to our community.
•Downtown Business Event Calendar –An online hub
where businesses can post events,from art openings
to live music.This tool centralizes promotions.
•Fe-BREW-ary –In partnership with SMART,this winter
promotion was designed to spotlight local breweries,
taprooms,and restaurants,encouraging customers to
“sip and stroll”downtown during the slower season.
•Juneteenth Promo –Through a special happenings
page and collaborations with local organizations,we
honor Juneteenth with visibility for events and history.
•Website Management –Since 2023,the BID has
managed DowntownSanRafael.org,saving $1,440
annually.The site provides clear,timely information on
promotions,events,news,shopping,dining,and more.
•Intersection Mulching Project –Volunteers,led
by BID Board members,refresh downtown
intersections with mulch three times a year.Plans
for 2026 include adding greenery and launching
an “Adopt an Intersection”program.
•Graffiti Removal –The BID invests $2,000
annually in supplies for longtime volunteer Tom
Harrison,whose efforts keep 4th Street clean,
welcoming,and graffiti-free.
•Clean &Green Day –Each Earth Day,volunteers,
businesses,and community groups join forces to
mulch,pick up litter,and remove graffiti to help
keep downtown clean.In 2025,our efforts were
even featured live on TV!
Beautification:
Business Engagement:
•Mixers (Pacifics Game, Fall, & Holiday)–We host 3
seasonal gatherings to connect people, share
updates, and strengthen business ties.
•Monthly Newsletters –Keep members informed on
promotions, city updates, grants, events, and news.
Facebook Annual Insight:
Instagram 90 days:
BID ARTS PROGRAMMING 2025
DowntownSanRafael.org ~ 415-849-1874 ~ Info@SRBID.org
BID SUPPORT FOR OUR DOWNTOWN SAN RAFAEL ARTS DISTRICT’S
(DSRAD) PROMOTIONS AND PROJECTS
•Art Programming Support -The BID Director
serves on the DSRAD Steering Committee,attending
monthly meetings to ensure alignment between BID
goals and arts initiatives,while providing leadership
in planning and decision-making.
•Website Management –The BID helps manage and
promote the DSRAD website,ensuring the business
community has access to updated information about
projects,events,and artist opportunities.
•Public Art Project Support –The BID supports the
DSRAD committee to help advance large-scale
public art projects that will bring vibrancy and
visibility to our Downtown.5 pieces will be
completed June 2026 -3 murals and 2 sculptures.
•Helped launch a $4k Matching Grant Art
Program –The BID created and supported the City
to fullfill a matching grant program that supports
downtown businesses in adding art and
beautification projects to their buildings.3 new
murals will be completed by June 2026.•Utility Box Art Program (Coming Soon)–The BID
hopes to finalize the details to create a permanent
art program that will transform utility boxes across
downtown into vibrant works of public art,adding
to the art in our Downtown.
•Ongoing Partnerships –DSRAD has supported a
wide range of art projects and events over the past
few years,including PorchFest,Dancing Under the
Lights,Pride Art Walk,Lunar New Year
celebrations,chalk murals,film festivals,and
murals with schools and community partners.(See
full programming portfolio at dsrad.org/programs •BID Support with Strategic Planning &Committee
Growth –DSRAD is trying to shape a long-term
vision that aligns arts initiatives with downtown
vitality and placemaking.We also created an
application process to bring on new members.
•Project &Grant Approval –A process was created
this year for new grant proposals to be reviewed
against mission,impact,and funding criteria,then
advanced through the Steering Committee,Public
Art Review Board,and City Council as needed.
•What is DSRAD?The Downtown San Rafael Arts
District (DSRAD)is one of only 14 certified Cultural
Arts Districts in California,recognized by the
California Arts Council (CAC).As an active
stakeholder,the BID advises that these funds go
directly into downtown businesses and into
downtown projects and events that beautify and
revitalize.
BID FUNDAISING EVENTS 2025
DowntownSanRafael.org ~ 415-849-1874 ~ Info@SRBID.org
SIGNATURE FUNDRAISING EVENTS
5th Annual Hops &Vines Stroll (Sept 27)–The
Annual Hops &Vines Stroll brought nearly 300
people INTO Downtown Businesses for an
afternoon of craft beer,wine and spirit tastings,and
local camaraderie.
•Total Expenses = $7,271.42
•Total Income = $10,855.00
•Net Profit for BID = $3,583.58
2nd Annual Dancing Under The Lights (Aug 1)
–Originally a pivot from Dining Under the
Lights,this event is now an annual celebration
in Downtown San Rafael that brings together
music,dancing,art,and local businesses for an
evening of community connection.The first
annual event broke even,and the 2nd annual
turned a profit.This profit will help fund our
promotions and beautification programming.
•Total Expenses =$20,357.27
•Total Income =$22,372.98
•Net Profit for BID =$2,015.71
35th Annual May Madness (May 10)–This
Annual event produced by Rick Lewis,the
volunteer BID Event Committee,and the Director
of the BID brought roughly 5,000 people to
Downtown.We raised over $25k to be split
between the BID,other local non-profits,and
Downtown beautification projects.
•Total Expenses = $17,047.04
•Total Income = $42,530.15
•Event Net Profit = $25,483.12
•Net Profit for BID = $12,741.56
The BID produces three major fundraising events each year -May Madness Car Show,Dancing
Under the Lights,and the Hops &Vines Stroll.These events not only bring thousands of people
downtown to celebrate and support local businesses,but they also generate critical funds.With this
revenue,the BID covers the cost of our social media contractor,supports graffiti removal,invests in
advertising,and funds other promotions that keep downtown thriving.
DowntownSanRafael.org ~ 415-849-1874 ~ Info@SRBID.org
WE BRING FEET TO THE STREET, SUPPORT THE ARTS, CELEBRATE
DIVERSITY, & PROMOTE THE HOLIDAYS!
BID ECONOMIC DRIVERS 2025
•2ND Annual Lunar New Year Art Walk –Downtown
storefronts feature vibrant art installations and
decorations celebrating Lunar New Year,showcasing
local artists while honoring cultural traditions.
•2nd Annual Pride Art Walk –In partnership with
DSRAD,artists,and businesses,downtown windows
transform with Pride-inspired art each June,
celebrating inclusivity and community pride.
•37th Annual Trick or Treat on Fourth –For decades,
the BID hosts this family-friendly Halloween tradition
where merchants hand out candy and downtown
comes alive with costumes,decorations,and
community spirit.
•4th Annual Elf Hunt –Once a new idea,now a holiday
tradition!Families search for elves in downtown shops,
bringing fun to kids and foot traffic to businesses.
•4th Annual Menorah Lighting –A growing downtown
tradition that brings the community together each
December with music,treats,and the celebration of
Hanukkah.
Celebrating Diversity, Art, & Scavenger Hunts:
Holiday Promotions:
•Annual Holiday Window Contest –Downtown
businesses deck their storefronts in creative holiday
displays,boosting festive spirit and encouraging
shoppers to explore local stores.
•Shop Small Saturday –Part of the national
movement,this campaign highlights the importance
of supporting small businesses during the holiday
season,driving customers into local shops and
restaurants.
•Downtown San Rafael Holiday Gift Guide –A
curated guide showcasing unique gift ideas from
downtown merchants,making it easy for shoppers
to keep their holiday spending local.
•West End Holiday Ads –Special advertising
campaigns spotlight West End businesses,ensuring
this vibrant part of Fourth Street shines during the
holiday season.
BID COMMUNITY EVENT PROMO 2025
DowntownSanRafael.org ~ 415-849-1874 ~ Info@SRBID.org
THE BID SUPPORTED & PROMOTED PARTNER EVENTS
In addition to producing our own events,the BID also helps promote large community events
organized by partner groups on our Downtown Events page on our website.These include major
annual traditions and events with street closures or bring a large amount of foot traffic to Downtown
Business,such as the Mill Valley Film Festival,Dia de los Muertos,the Holiday of Lights &Winter
Wonderland,the San Rafael Lighted Boat Parade,Youth in Arts C Street Celebration,PorchFest,the
West End Block Party,and many others.While the BID doesn’t produce these events,we promote
them to alert the community and highlight the increased traffic they bring to downtown businesses.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026
DowntownSanRafael.org ~ 415-849-1874 ~ Info@SRBID.org
FUTURE MARKETING, PROGRAMMING, EVENTS, & OPERATIONS
The Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District is proud to have managed 25 programs
across seven categories in 2025,each designed to promote our businesses,gather the community,and
help beautify our city.From marketing initiatives and business engagement to holiday promotions,
fundraisers,and cultural celebrations,these programs helped create an active downtown in 2025.
As we look toward 2026,our focus is on continuing and strengthening these programs while welcoming
new opportunities.Most exciting is the arrival of the unveiling of the major public art projects in June
2026,made possible through our partnership and funding from the Downtown San Rafael Arts District.
These installations will help create an artistic and lasting vibe for our Downtown.
Our 2026 Focus:
•Strengthening and sustaining our 25 promotional programs (see page 3).
•Expanding public art installation support,with projects being unveiled in June 2026.
•Growing beautification efforts,including mulching,graffiti removal,and intersection beautification.
•Plaza improvements,to potentially include furniture upgrades,lighting,etc.
•Increasing fundraising to support promotional and beautification programs.
•Continuing to promote downtown businesses through marketing,social media,and advertising.
•Building community through events,scavenger hunts,and holiday traditions.
•Connect potential new businesses with the City resources to fill vacancies.
•Work with the City to ensure there is a power washing schedule to keep sidewalks clean.
The BID is excited to make 2026 another year of growth,
creativity, and community in Downtown San Rafael!
BID ADVISORY REPORT
DowntownSanRafael.org ~ 415-849-1874 ~ Info@SRBID.org
BID BOUNDARY MAP & FEE STRUCTURE
585 Businesses in Downtown San Rafael
–as of 10.2025 report from City Licensing Dept
2025 and 2026 BID Assessment Formula:
BID ADVISORY REPORT
DowntownSanRafael.org ~ 415-849-1874 ~ Info@SRBID.org
BUDGET