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: Aug. 1, 8:30 a.m., 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: Aug. 8, 8:30 a.m., 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: Robert Robledo
Past Meeting: The committee oversees and adds value to current and future marketing activities, aligned with the SJDA Strategic Plan. Marketing professionals are urged to join this committee to lend your talents to providing strategic direction to the next project.
On May 15 the Marketing Committee discussed ideas around the four Starlight Cinema movies (July 6-Barbie, July 20-Kicking and Screaming, Aug. 3-The Goonies, Aug. 17-To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar). We also discussed outreach for Dine Downtown event (July 11-21) as well as the VIP reception to be held on July 10 for restaurants to showcase their food to reporters, social media foodies, and elected officials.
Next Meeting: June 19, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., Business Support Center, 16 N 3rd St.
SoFAC (South First Area Committee)
This committee deals with neighborhood issues, markets events and more.
Chair: Kevin Wick and Dap Ashaolu
Contact: Juan Carlos Aguirre
Past Meeting: Attendees and members of SoFaC vocalized a desire for a new format of the regular neighborhood committees. So, before the next committee meeting Co-Chairs Kevin and Dap will meet with SJDA staff to brainstorm how to take the feedback and apply it to future meetings.
Next Meeting: June 26, 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 pm, MACLA, 510 S First Street
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: During the meeting with the Advisory Committee, updates were provided on the capital improvement process including the Levitt project, the current status of operations and maintenance in St. James Park, upcoming Activation events, and a newly developed engagement strategy to address park safety and challenges related to food and clothing distribution.
Next Meeting: June 28, TBD
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: Nate LeBlanc
Past Meeting: The Advocacy Committee met on June 21. The committee discussed the recently-approved City budget and heard an update from VTA staff on BART Phase II.
Next Meeting: TBD, Business Support Center, 16 N 3rd St.
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 committee met Feb. 22 to discuss PBID expansion updates. Staffing increases with Groundwerx were also discussed. The Street Life Lighting Plan was also shared by Sarah Billings.
Next Meeting: Oct. 28, 10 a.m., Location TBD
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 committee met on March 28. Details coming soon.
Next Meeting: July 12, 9 a.m. Location TBD
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: Chloe Shipp
Past Meeting: On May 21 the PBID Board of Directors met to discuss the goals for a focused beautification project on Santa Clara Street and receive staff updates.
Next Meeting: Aug. 20, 8:30 a.m., Business Support Center, 16 N 3rd St.
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: Robert Robledo
Past 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, such as clean and safe initiatives, addressing homelessness, and business retention.
Next Meeting: August TBD
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 met on April 4. An update was given on the San Pedro Street Pedestrian Mall. OCA introduced the Market/San Pedro Garage Facade Improvement project which was followed by a presentation by the artist. SJDA and Local Color shared the San Pedro Street Painting Beautification Mural Project. Between May 27-31, more than 1200 volunteers painted the mural “Threads Woven” on more than 12,000 square feet of San Pedro Street, in a paint-by-numbers style under the guidance of artist and graphic designer Jim Fonseca.
Next Meeting: July TBD
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: Chloe Shipp
Past Meeting: The Board Organizational Committee met on Sept. 22 to discuss the following changes to the by-laws: replace “Executive Director” with “CEO” and “President of the Board” with “Chair of the Board; delete offices of Vice-President of Operations and Vice-President of Marketing” and add the office of “Vice-Chair”
Next Meeting: TBD
Downtown Parking Board
This public-private entity discusses downtown parking issues and budgets.
Chair: Dave Heindel
Vice Chair: Tamiko Rast
Contact: Robert Robledo
Past Meeting: The Downtown Parking Board last met March 6 and approved the FY 2024-25 annual financial and activity. Staff gave a presentation on the SMART grant update of $ 2 million.
Next Meeting: June date TBD, 10:00 a.m., City Hall, Room 847 (City meetings are now in-person and on live video)
Historic District
Deals with concerns regarding events, construction, safety and marketing of this downtown neighborhood.
Chair: Eric Nielsen
Contact: Juan Carlos Aguirre
Past Meeting: For the last few months, business owners within the Historic Neighborhood, primarily on Post Street, have been focused on the Post Street Temporary Closure Program. Back in August, the majority of business owners voted to extend the street closure program into 2024. Subsequently, the San José City Council granted the program to continue, at least until December 2024.
The committee reviewing the progress of the street closure program last met on Monday March 4 at Mac’s Club. Overall, business sentiment remains the same; the retail businesses oppose the idea of a permanent street closure, meanwhile the remaining business would like to see Post Street permanently closed. Permanently closing Post Street is also supported by eighty-seven percent of respondents via pedestrian survey data. City of San José Office of Economic Development staff are in the process of building toward utilizing the Pedestrian Mall Act to accomplish the long-term goal of closing one block of Post, a similar strategy utilized to permanently close San Pedro Street earlier this year.
Next Meeting: TBD
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: Chloe Shipp
Past Meeting: The Board met on April 16 to receive a staff report about the Spring 2024 Downtown Doors competition, exhibition and reception.
Next Meeting: June 11, 12 p.m., via Zoom Conference Call
Finance Committee
Reviews and approves the SJDA budget.
Chair: Garrett Perez
Contact: Marie New
Past Meeting: On April 1, the Finance Committee reviewed February financials and budget vs. actuals.
Next Meeting: TBD
