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: Jan. 9, 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: Retreat – Jan. 17, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Adobe
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 Marketing 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.
We will be discussing all upcoming marketing projects in the new OED contract.
Next Meeting: Jan. 15, SJDA 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: Lou Jimenez
Past Meeting: Key community updates highlight plans for improved street closure notifications and parking updates, along with ongoing graffiti concerns at Botown and behind Guildhouse. Westbank’s absence at the meeting left members eager for project updates, while Nvidia’s upcoming March 2025 convention is expected to bring significant regional impact, with SoFA businesses hoping for involvement. Phantom Galleries is working to activate vacant storefronts with artwork, and restoration efforts for downtown historic signs are underway with support from Garden City Construction.
Next Meeting: Dec. 18, 3:30 p.m, 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 recent St. James Park update meeting highlighted progress across key focus areas. On capital improvements, staff reported that work on the 90% design set is underway, with completion expected by spring 2025, after which it will move to the Historical Landmark Commission and CEQA for alignment with the new phasing plan. The Levitt Fall Concert Series successfully concluded on October 20, with final discussions on the Levitt agreement anticipated to reach the City Council early next year. In operations and maintenance, efforts continue on installing new park features, including a swing set and trash receptacles, while repairs are planned for the vandalized Henry Naglee Monument. Activation updates included relocating a storage container to enhance event setup and the commissioning of a local artist to paint a mural. The meeting also addressed park safety, noting active walking beat officers and an engagement strategy to address neighborhood challenges. Lastly, pedestrian safety concerns were raised regarding traffic light synchronization, with staff committed to working with the Department of Transportation on adjustments.
Next Meeting: Dec. 20, 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 with Mayor Mahan on Oct. 10 and discussed the following issues : BART; Funding for the Arts; Unlicensed Vendors; and 2026 Event Planning. Committee members also attended the VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Phase II Oversight Committee Special Meeting on Oct. 31 to advocate for single bore construction downtown.
Next Meeting: TBD
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: 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 Nov. 8, to review our goals and current projects. We shared information about the Holiday Donation Drive project and ways to donate warm clothing to the Groundwerx location. Nicole B. from PATH presented information on Pacific Motor Inn (PMI) interim supportive housing. The committee also reviewed previous metrics and resources that our SIT team uses and that are available to the public.
Next Meeting: Jan. 10, 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: Nate LeBlanc
Past Meeting: On Nov. 19 the PBID Board of Directors met to discuss the progress for several beautification projects on Santa Clara Street, District 3 council vacancy, the new Block By Block clean and safe services contract, new lighting projects, unpermitted vendor issues and enforcement strategies, and BART construction impacts on Santa Clara Street.
Next Meeting: TBD, 8:30 a.m., SJDA 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: 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: January, 2025, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Location: 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 Nov. 13. Moveable presented San Pedro Saturdays, a new monthly activation on San Pedro Street. The first activation is a Holiday Market on Dec. 21. Updates were given on Reimagining the Civic Commons, the City’s curb management pilot program and Holiday San Jose campaign, as well as SJDA’s Shop Small Downtown promotion (Spend $150, get a $50 gift card). Information about opportunities to participate in Visit San Jose’s Show Your Badge program and special offers for SJSU and Notre Dame students was shared with businesses.
Next Meeting: 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: Alex Stettinski
Past Meeting: The Board Organizational Committee met on May 13 to discuss the election of new Board members.
Next Meeting: TBD
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 Sept. 4 Downtown Parking Board meeting was canceled due to lack of quorum. Elizabeth Chien-Hale will report on behalf of SJDA.
Next Meeting: TBD
Historic District
Deals with concerns regarding events, construction, safety and marketing of this downtown neighborhood.
Chair: Eric Nielsen
Contact: Chris Kendrix
Past Meeting: The HDC Committee met on October 23 at the SJDA’s Business Support Center. The committee reviewed the goals and projects from our last meeting. The Office of Economic Development (OED) invited Russell Joyce from the City of San Jose Environmental Services Department (ESD) to speak about issues regarding the management of dumpsters and public litter cans (PLCs). Russell shared ways to report issues and how ESD manages those complaints. OED also reviewed updates on unpermitted vendors for the upcoming holiday season. SJDA provided a presentation on our Santa Clara Corridor Project, highlighting our accomplishments and future projects that are still in progress. We reviewed the boundaries of the Historic District. The Committee decided on a boundary for SJDA to update the map that we created. SJDA staff will conduct outreach with businesses south of San Fernando to see if any are interested in being included.
Next Meeting: Dec. 10, 11 am – 12:30 pm, 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 held its monthly board meeting to discuss key organizational updates and initiatives. After approving the minutes from the Sept. 10 meeting, the Chair, Financial, and Committee reports were presented. Highlights included updates on the Downtown Doors 2025 project, with submissions now open, and a review of the Foundation’s bylaws. The board also addressed ongoing recruitment efforts and assigned sponsorship collection responsibilities to members. In new business, the board acknowledged the resignation of Katia McClain and discussed plans for filling the vacancy and reviewed our yearly survey questions that we hand out to students and teachers.
Next Meeting: Dec. 10, 12 p.m, via 3rd Street Conference Room – In person
Finance Committee
Reviews and approves the SJDA budget.
Chair: Garrett Perez
Contact: Marie New (Noble Accounting)
Past Meeting: On Dec. 2, the Finance Committee reviewed the September 2024 and October 2024 financial statement packages.
Next Meeting: Jan. 6, 8:30 a.m., via Zoom Conference Call
