Meetings & Committees

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 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: October 5, 8:30 a.m., Business Support Center,
16 N 3rd St.
(committee members only)

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

Board President: Alan “Gumby” Marques

Next Meeting: November 9, 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 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:  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

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: 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

Finance Committee

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

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.

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.

Downtown Commercial Properties

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

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: 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

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 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.

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: 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

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: Nanci Williams

Next Meeting: September 14, 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.,
Location: Tabard Theatre

Annual Membership Meeting (Public & BOD)

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

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 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.

Downtown Parking Board

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)

Historic District

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

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.

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

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: 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

San Jose Downtown Association

Board of Directors

Officers

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

Members

Nick Goddard*
Colliers International

Adolfo Gomez*
Mezcal Restaurant

Chris Neale*
The Core Companies

Emily Ruvalcaba*
Bridge Bank

Neda Tabatabaie*
San Jose Sharks

Directors

Dap Ashaolu
Nirvana Soul

Cache Bouren
Cash Only Bar

Mason Case
Hines 

Indu Chakravarthy
RMW Architecture Interiors

Chien-Hale, Elizabeth

Elizabeth Chien-Hale
San Jose Downtown
Residents Association

Cirone-Elizabeth-150x150

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

Property-Based Improvement District (PBID)

Board of Directors

Executive Committee


President
Chris Freise, REDCO Development

Vice President
Blage Zelalich, City of San Jose

Treasurer
Ted McMahon, Bayview Development

Secretary
Dan Phan, Original GravityPaper Plane and MINIBOSS (tenant representative)

Board Members

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

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