Meetings & Committees
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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.
Want to get involved? Email the contact of the committee below you are interested in joining.
The President of the Board of Directors chairs this 11-member committee. The immediate past president is 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
Chair: Alan “Gumby” Marques
Next Meeting: September 7, 8:30 a.m., Business Support Center,
16 N 3rd St.
(committee members only)
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
Board President: Alan “Gumby” Marques
Next Meeting: November 9, 8:30 a.m., Business Support Center, 16 N 3rd St.
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 met Oct. 14, 2022 and observed a presentation on potential future developments at San Jose State University.
Next meeting: TBD, via Zoom Conference Call
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: Frank Nguyen
Contact: Nanci Williams
Past Meeting: The committee will reconvene to discuss 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 campaign.
Next Meeting: TBD
This committee deals with neighborhood issues, markets events and more.
Chair: Kevin Wick and Dap Ashaolu
Contact: Juan Carlos Aguirre
Past Meeting: The SoFaC met on May 10. City of San José Department, OCA presented on “Make Music Day,” which is scheduled for June 21. City of San José Department, PRNS presented the on Viva Calle event and its impact on the Downtown Core (Santa Clara Street from Roosevelt Park to Market Street). The event is scheduled for June 11. SJDA staff discussed two upcoming programs: Starlight Cinemas and Dine Downtown, both starting in July 2023. During Public Comment, City of San José DOT mentioned that they would be happy to do a presentation at an upcoming meeting. MACLA announced their upcoming Latinx Art Exhibition, and the United LowRider Council discussed their upcoming Raza Unida event.
Next Meeting: November, TBD
Reviews and approves the SJDA budget.
Chair: Garrett Perez
Contact: Marie New
Past Meeting: The Finance Committee met on August 25. Draft June 2023 financial statements were presented.
Next Meeting: September 27, 2:00 p.m., via Zoom Conference Call
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.
Chair: David Buchholz
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.
Informational meetings for owners and managers of large downtown commercial properties. Meets on an ad hoc basis.
Contact: Chris Arkley
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
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: Debra Rossi
Past Meeting: The committee met on August 24. SJDA staff introduced Social Impact Team Manager, Debra Rossi. Rossi will be taking over as the point of contact for the Committee and that was relayed to the Committee Members. Social Impact Team updates were relayed as well. Currently, the SIT is nearly fully staffed with only one part-time position remaining.
Next Meeting: TBD
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 August 22 the PBID Board of Directors met to receive updates from the Comprehensive Lighting Plan, Social Impact Team and staff reports.
Next Meeting: November 14, 8:30 a.m., Business Support Center, 16 N 3rd St.
This committee deals with issues related to the park and activities in it. It also working with others on redesigning the park.
Contact: Sarah Billings
Past Meeting: The Advisory Committee met on July 28 to discuss progress on capital/design for park improvements and Levitt Pavilion, safety concerns, feeding, rodent abatement/trash receptacles, fall activations and maintenance.
Next Meeting: September 22, 9:00 a.m., via Zoom Conference Call
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: Nanci Williams
Next Meeting: September 14, 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.,
Location: Tabard Theatre
The event will feature SJDA CEO Alex Stettinski’s “State of Downtown” address, financial reports, election of board members and the popular two-minute committee summaries.
Next Meeting: October 13, 8:30 a.m. Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo De San Antonio
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 July 27 to discuss the recruitment process for the 2024-27 class of SJDA board members.
Next Meeting: September 22, 3 p.m., Business Support Center, 16 N 3rd St.
This public-private entity discusses downtown parking issues and budgets.
Chair: Charlie Faas
Contact: Rick Jensen
Past Meeting: The Downtown Parking Board met June 7, elected a chair for FY 23-24, and discussed the Downtown Board Work Plan for FY 2023-24. The board also heard the update on BART’s project through downtown and commented on placement of the entrances.
Next Meeting: September 6, 10:00 a.m., City Hall, Room 847 (City meetings are now in-person and recorded)
Deals with concerns regarding events, construction, safety and marketing of this downtown neighborhood.
Chair: Eric Nielsen
Contact: Juan Carlos Aguirre
Past Meeting: The HDC met on August 21, 2023. The meeting focused on the end of the Post Street Closure Pilot Program. The San José City Council originally authorized a temporary (1-Year), 4-Day weekend closure (Thursday-Monday) from August 2022–August 2023. With the pilot program coming to a close, the Office of Economic Development, San José Fire, and SJDA helped facilitate a conversation on Phase II of the street closure. The stakeholders decided to extend the pilot program for an additional calendar year using a special event permit through the Office of Cultural Affairs. The pilot extension will be tentatively put in place until the City Council can authorize next steps.
Next Meeting: TBD
The foundation hosts, organizes and fundraises for Downtown Doors and other art projects downtown. Visit the Foundation page on this website to learn more.
Board President: Ramona Snyder
Contact: Rick Jensen
Past Meeting: The Aug. 8 meeting was rescheduled to Aug. 29 due to a lack of quorum. At the Aug. 29 meeting, Board members spent the meeting discussing potential Bard members still to be approached and vetted; as well as discuss next steps in recruiting. Charlie McCollum resigned from the board so he can focus on a new assignment as Chair of the City of San Jose Arts Commission, and Board member Juan Borrelli is terming off in december. Discussion also began on a work plan for the remainder of FY 23-24.
SJDF seeks additional Board members.
Next Meeting: September 12, 12:00 p.m., Zoom Conference Call
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: Per City requirement, businesses on San Pedro Street are piloting the proposed long-term street closure. All al fresco dining on San Pedro Street has been removed to allow for a 20-foot-wide pedestrian walkway down the middle of San Pedro Street that can be utilized for Emergency Vehicle Access. Businesses can now utilize the sidewalks extending 20-feet from the face of their building towards the middle of the street for additional dining with a sidewalk seating permit from Public Works. Nate LeBlanc, SJDA’s Business Development Manager, is continuing to work with City staff and San Pedro businesses to help with the transition and permits.
Next Meeting: TBD
Alan “Gumby” Marques*
President
Heroes Martial Arts
Jeanne Serpa*
VP of Operations
Republic Services
Edwin Tan*
VP of Marketing:
San Jose State University
Garrett Perez*
Treasurer
Pinnacle Peak Advisors, LLC
Anjee Helstrup-Alvarez*
Secretary
MACLA
Katia McClain*
Immediate Past President
Steinberg Hart
Nick Goddard*
Colliers International
Adolfo Gomez*
Mezcal Restaurant
Chris Neale*
The Core Companies
Emily Ruvalcaba*
Bridge Bank
Neda Tabatabaie*
San Jose Sharks
Dap Ashaolu
Nirvana Soul
Cache Bouren
Cash Only Bar
Mason Case
Hines
Indu Chakravarthy
RMW Architecture Interiors
Elizabeth Chien-Hale
San Jose Downtown
Residents Association
Elizabeth Cirone
Hopkins & Carley
Gino De Bernardo
Comerica Inc.
Andrew Jacobson
Westbank Projects Corp
Joshua Melander
Provident Credit Union
Frank Nguyen
Academic Coffee
Eric Nielsen
55 South and SP2
Henry Phan
Hotel Clariana
Dan Pulcrano
Metro Silcon Valley
Laura Riparbelli
Hoge, Fenton, Jones & Appel, Inc.
Derrick Seaver
San Jose Chamber of Commerce
Stan Vuckovich
KBM-Hogue
Corinda Wong
Gensler
*Executive Committee Member
President
Chris Freise, REDCO Development
Vice President
Blage Zelalich, City of San Jose
Treasurer
Ted McMahon, Bayview Development
Secretary
Dan Phan, Original Gravity, Paper Plane and MINIBOSS (tenant representative)
Benjamin Egge, Essex Property Trust
Eric Kline, Adobe
Julie Garcia, Jay Paul
John Ristow, City of San Jose
Sara de la Riva, Rubicon Point Partners
Wolfram Schneider, Resident Representative
John Southwell, Marriott San Jose
Please let us know if you are interested in helping us with our events, art and street life activations or representing SJDA and downtown businesses at City Council or City Hall meetings.
Send a note with your volunteer interests to volunteer@sjdowntown.com.
28 N. First St., Suite 1000
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 279-1775