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San Jose Downtown Association (SJDA)
About
SJDA is a non-profit, membership-based organization founded in 1986 to represent business and property owners. We make downtown a better place for business, residents and visitors through events, advocacy, marketing and more.
The best way to get involved is to come to a meeting. Our various committees our summarized below and meet regularly.
Committees
Want to get involved? Email the contact of the committee below you are interested in joining.
Executive Committee
The Chair of the Board of Directors chairs this 13-member committee. The immediate past chair is an ex-officio member. This committee manages the activities and affairs of the association and exercises all powers granted to the Board by the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws. Makes policy, advocacy and program recommendations to the Board of Directors.
Chair: Emily Ruvalcaba
Next Meeting: April 3, 8:30 a.m., SJDA Business Support Center, 16 N 3rd St.
SJDA Board of Directors
The San Jose Downtown Association represents more than 2,100 businesses, non-profits and property owners who work collaboratively to enhance the Downtown experience. We make downtown a better place.
Click here to meet our Board
Chair: Emily Ruvalcaba
Next Meeting: March 13, 8:30 a.m., SJDA Business Support Center, 16 N 3rd St.
Downtown Design Committee
Consists of architects, designers, and urbanists advocating for design excellence in the downtown core using. The committee honors outstanding projects with Golden Nail awards.
Chair: Brian Corbett
Contact: Nate LeBlanc
Past Meeting: The committee last met Oct. 14, 2022, and observed a presentation on potential future developments at San Jose State University.
Next meeting: TBD, via Zoom Conference Call
Marketing
Provides oversight and makes recommendations on SJDA’s long-term and short-term goals involving branding, marketing efforts, and promotions. Ensures that a consistent, positive message is being delivered to the public about Downtown San Jose and SJDA. Meets as needed.
Chair: Alan “Gumby” Marquez
Contact: TBD
Past Meeting: This will be re-started with a new Head of Marketing and Communications and chair Gumby.
Next Meeting: TBD
SoFAC (South First Area Committee)
This committee deals with neighborhood issues, markets events and more.
Chair: Kevin Wick and Dap Ashaolu
Contact: Brenda Zendejas
Past Meeting: SoFAC met on Feb. 26. There were introductions to key partners like Social Impact Team Manager Deborah Rosi. An introduction to the marketing inventors, highlighting their key role in strategizing and implementing innovative marketing campaigns that engage audiences effectively. They shared insights into their approach and asked if anyone needed a video or has not been marketed by them to let them know. Unzipped Garden Update by Rick Garcia. Rick is the manager and he provided an update on the project and upcoming collaboration with the small businesses catering at the UnZipped garden. It is a pop-up skate rink. This installation, designed to merge art and recreation, is expected to be a successful activation. Lauren from SJDA shared exciting details about the “Lucky Campaign” for March, which is designed to support small businesses in the community. This campaign will provide visibility and promotional opportunities for our small business by also helping drive foot traffic as people look for Lucky. SJDA will be giving $25.00 gift cards every day until the campaign ends. The meeting was productive, with informational event updates discussed. We also discussed a $3,500 budget. They will discuss what to use as a committee and Kevinf stepped down and will no longer be co-chair as he is moving to San Diego. There was a call for a co chair and next meeting that role will be discussed and who is interested in being co chair.
Next Meeting: March 26, TBD
St. James Park Advisory Committee
This committee deals with issues related to the park and activities in it. It also working with others on redesigning the park.
Contact: Lou Jimenez
Past Meeting: The meeting covered several focus topics, including updates on capital improvements, operations, and maintenance efforts in St. James Park. The Activation Team provided updates on events like placemaking and OCA/SPU, while discussions on park safety and enforcement strategies were led by various city departments and stakeholders to address challenges in the downtown area.
Next Meeting: March 28, 9 a.m., via Google Meet.
Advocacy Committee
Represents downtown business and property owner to government and elected officials. Develops recommendations on policies impacting downtown. Supports other committees including parking and BART. Sets SJDA’s positions on specific issues including housing, retail, crime, cleanliness and shuttles. Meets as needed.
Contact: Alex Stettinski
Past Meeting: The Advocacy Committee met on Feb. 21 and discussed the following issues : SJDA Contract Development; D3 Candidate Forum recap; Support for Levitt Pavilion; Digital Signage; Arp and Placemaking for Summer 2025.
Chair: Chris Shay
Co-Chair: Anjee Helstrup-Alvarez
Next Meeting: March 21, 9 a.m., via Zoom Conference Call
Downtown Commercial Properties
Informational meetings for owners and managers of large downtown commercial properties. Meets on an ad hoc basis.
Contact: Chris Kendrix
Past Meeting: The DCP Committee met on January 27 to review the results of the workshop exercise we conducted in October. During that meeting, it was requested to bring information regarding the permitting processes for tenant improvements in property spaces. Nate Leblanc from SJDA and Lisa Joiner from CSJ presented information and tips on obtaining permits. Kendrix reviewed new initiatives that the Groundwerx program is working on with SJPD regarding graffiti enforcement. The next meeting will focus on unhoused issues and vibrancy projects that SJDA is working on in the downtown area.
Next Meeting: April 28, 10 a.m., 99 S Almaden Blvd suite 150, San Jose, CA 95110
Social Impact Committee
The Social Impact Committee’s goals are to use advocacy, education and partnerships to mitigate the impact of homelessness for Downtown business and property owners, residents, visitors and unhoused individuals.
The impacts of homelessness include the overall health and well-being of all San Jose residents, a lack of adequate shelter and services, the overall cleanliness of public and private spaces, and the perception of safety in downtown.
Contact: Chris Kendrix
Past Meeting: The Social Impact Committee met on Jan. 10 to review updates and metrics. Chris Kendrix shared staffing updates on the SIT program, reporting that Emily Ferry resigned over the holidays. SJDA and Block by Block have hired Debra Rossi, who was the manager prior to Emily. We reported on the successes of the Holiday Donation Drive, which the committee worked on over the past few months. We were able to donate essential items to PATH, a local outreach organization providing assistance to the unhoused at their transitional housing units in the downtown area. Janice Bonello presented information about the Downtown Youth Wellness Center (DYWC) located at Santa Clara and 16th Street. Chris Kendrix reviewed metrics from the 2024 calendar year, highlighting the effectiveness of the Social Impact Team. The committee concluded the meeting with a brainstorming session to create goals for 2025.
Next Meeting: March 14, 9 a.m., SJDA Business Support Center, 16 N. 3rd St.
PBID Board of Directors
The directors oversee management and finances of the property-based improvement district. It’s meeting notices, minutes and agendas are on the PBID pages of this website.
Board President: Chris Freise
Contact: Dennis Yu
Past Meeting: On Jan. 28 the PBID Board of Directors met to discuss the progress of SJDA’s BART advocacy, the outcome of the board retreat, invitations to the District 3 Candidate Forum, and updates to the Santa Clara Corridor Project. The board discussed new projects to take on for the Santa Clara corridor, and debriefed on the success of the Western Dental Building revitalization.
Next Meeting: Mar. 25, 8:30 a.m., SJDA Business Support Center, 16 N 3rd St.
San Pedro Square Committee
This committee works on marketing, events, safety and other issues in the San Pedro Square neighborhood.
Co- Chair: David Mulvehill and Randy Musterer
Contact: Julie Carlson
Past Meeting: The committee meets quarterly and last met on Feb. 11. Moveable gave an update on the second San Pedro Saturdays activation, Pawlentine’s Day, on Feb.15. More than 20 vendors are participating, with an expected turnout of 700-1,000 attendees. Following up on the Reimagining the Civic Commons update from the previous meeting, businesses received a handout featuring photos of potential outdoor furniture options and suggested placement locations for their feedback. Information was also provided about the upcoming NVIDIA GTC Conference scheduled for March 17-21, along with an invitation to participate in Visit San Jose’s Show Your Badge program. Updates included details about SJDA’s #DTSJ Leprechaunt Hunt & Bar Weekend running from March 7-17, the Shamrock Run on March 15, and Viva Calle in April.
Next Meeting: TBD May
Board Organizational Committee
The Board Organizational Committee looks at all aspects of Board relations, certain organizational process improvements, Board of Directors election process, recruitment and membership for the Board, and enhancing camaraderie for Board and staff.
Marques would like the Committee to also focus on research, such as reviewing the bylaw; writing a CEO job description; creating a recruitment matrix for the Boards (SJDA, Foundation, PBID).
The Committee can be comprised of two co-chairs, and a minimum of 3 at large members.
Contact: Alex Stettinski
Past Meeting: The Board Organizational Committee met on March 10 to review committees and structure, continue review of materials, plan a Board orientation, and discuss recruitment and engagement for 2025.
Next Meeting: TBD, SJDA Business Support Center, 16 N 3rd St.
Downtown Parking Board
This public-private entity discusses downtown parking issues and budgets.
Chair: Dave Heindel
Vice Chair: Tamiko Rast
Contact: Alex Stettinski
Past Meeting: The March 4 Downtown Parking Board meeting was canceled due to lack of quorum.
Next Meeting: June 4
Historic District
Deals with concerns regarding events, construction, safety and marketing of this downtown neighborhood.
Chair: Eric Nielsen & Blair Carson
Contact: Chris Kendrix
Past Meeting: The HDC Committee convened on Feb. 11. During our December Historic District Committee meeting, a member asked about the process for obtaining permits for outdoor events, such as those on Post Street. Kendrix invited Leonela “Nelly” Torres from the Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) to discuss the process and answer questions. Chris Arkley provided updates on the Post Street Pedestrian Mall closure, a process that began on Nov. 5. The City Council will hold a final vote on Feb. 25 to either implement the Pedestrian Mall on Post Street from First Street to Lightston Alley. Chris Kendrix gave a presentation on the Santa Clara Corridor Project. Kendrix provided an update on the PBID team’s work over the past few months since the previous meeting. The Historic District Committee was given information regarding enhanced marketing and promotional strategies for the Historic District. A budget of up to $3,500 will be allocated to encourage members to collaborate on a neighborhood project for the year.
Next Meeting: April 23, 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., 55 South, 55 S First Street
San Jose Downtown Foundation
The foundation hosts, organizes and fundraises for Downtown Doors and other art projects downtown. Visit the Foundation page on this website to learn more.
Contact: Lou Jimenez
Past Meeting: The San Jose Downtown Foundation (SJDF) Board Meeting held on Feb. 11 discussed various administrative updates, including the approval of January’s minutes and preparations for upcoming events like the SJMA Reception on May 15, 2025. The board addressed ongoing initiatives such as finalizing an Adobe grant, enhancing sponsorship templates, and focusing on fundraising efforts with a goal of $10,000 per board member, alongside planning future meetings and projects.
Next Meeting: March 11, 12 p.m, via Google Meet
Finance Committee
Reviews and approves the SJDA budget.
Chair: Garrett Perez
Contact: Marie New (Noble Accounting)
Past Meeting: On March 3 the Finance Committee reviewed the FY 2024-25 financial statement packages and proposed to raise the second signer limit.
Next Meeting: March 31, 8:30 a.m., via Zoom Conference Call
Town Hall Meeting
Learn more about SJDA and PBID activities in the downtown area in a Town Hall setting. Each quarterly meeting focuses on a different topic.
Contact: TBD
Past Meeting: Join us for an engaging discussion on how integrating arts and sports can enhance the vibrancy of downtown San Jose. Hear insights from distinguished panelists and contribute to the community conversation. Don’t miss this chance to be a part of shaping our downtown’s future! Please see link here to view the invite.
Next Meeting: TBD
