Renewal & Expansion
In late 2020, Downtown San Francisco was at a tipping point. Offices were dark, streets were empty, and everyone was asking the same question: what's next for the city's core?
Five years later, our city's core is coming alive again. The Downtown SF Partnership, working hand in hand with our stakeholders, has reimagined what a downtown can be: vibrant public spaces, streets alive with art and activity, and businesses not just recovering, but thriving. From Let's Glow SF, the largest holiday light projection festival in the nation, to California's first Entertainment Zone, we have turned Downtown into a destination where bold, unforgettable experiences happen around every corner.
Our mission has always been bigger than clean and safe streets. We are building an environment where Downtown drives the city's economy, sparks connection, and fuels energy. Through our Public Realm Action Plan, underused spaces are transformed into experiences that make people want to be here again and again.
That is why DSFP is renewing the Downtown Community Benefit District a full 10 years early and expanding to the Embarcadero and Northern Waterfront. This renewal will sustain and grow the programs proven to make a difference, ensuring Downtown remains a hub where business, creativity, and community converge.
Downtown's future is ours to shape. Property owners, now is the moment to reaffirm your commitment. Together, we can create a stronger, more vibrant San Francisco today and for decades to come.
Chris Freise
REDCO Development, Co-Chair
Dan Kingsley
SF Recovery Fund, Co-Chair
Members of the Renewal Steering Committee, including representatives from:
- CBRE
- Cushman Wakefield
- Hines
- Hudson Pacific Properties
- JLL
- Presidio Bay Ventures
- SHVO
- Tishman Speyer
- Swig Company
- Tusker Corporation
- Vornado
(and others)
DSFP MILESTONES
“The Downtown SF Partnership is a key partner in delivering on our shared vision for a cleaner, safer, and more vibrant downtown. Their leadership is helping to accelerate San Francisco’s economic recovery and bring new life and optimism to the heart of our city.”
Mayor Daniel Lurie
Expansion and Early Renewal:
Positioning Downtown for Long-term Growth
DSFP is renewing the Downtown Community Benefit District 10 years ahead of schedule to accelerate San Francisco’s recovery and strengthen its economic core. This early renewal and planned expansion to the Embarcadero and Northern Waterfront will sustain investment in programs that enhance the downtown experience and support long-term business growth.
| 1 | Double the annual investment in safe and clean services, offering 24/7 coverage |
|---|---|
| 2 | Expand public realm improvements and activation |
| 3 | Create a new economic development program to support ground floor business attraction and retention |
| 4 | Optimize economic benefits from the renovation of Embarcadero Park |
| 5 | Sharpen Downtown San Francisco’s image, competitive edge and build on new momentum |
| 6 | Align the investment with other major North American downtowns |
SERVICE ZONE MAP
PROPOSED SERVICE ADJUSTMENTS
Cleaning & Safety
Clean & Safe increases by 100% and becomes 24/7. Funds three new programs, adding homeless outreach case workers, overnight safety patrols, and creating an integrated safety network
District Identity, Public Realm & Placemaking
Implements the Public Realm Action Plan, no longer reliant on city grants, provides a new baseline fund for programming improvements, and beautification
Economic Development & Advocacy
Accelerates downtown economic recovery through ground floor attraction and policy collaboration
Program Management
Right sizes the professionalism of the organization, capacity and resources
*swipe right to view additional columns
CURRENT |
ZONE 1 |
ZONE 2 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| CLEAN & SAFE | *Clean & Safe becomes 24/7 | *50% reduction compared to Zone 1 | |
| Clean Team Hours of Operation | 6 AM - 8 PM daily | 5 AM - 10 PM daily | 5 AM - 10 PM daily |
| Cleaning Team | 2 cleanings daily | 4 cleanings daily | 2 cleanings daily |
| Overnight Power Washing | 6-week rotation + spot cleaning | 4-week rotation, Market Street weekly + spot cleaning | 8-week rotation + spot cleaning |
| Safety Team | 2 visits daily | 4 visits daily | 2 visits daily |
| Hospitality | 2 support staff | 4 support staff | 2 support staff |
| Homeless Outreach | None | NEW program to fund (2) case workers + transportation to services offered in the city | |
| Overnight Patrols | None | NEW program to fund overnight safety patrols (a proactive service to deter crime in partnership with SFPD + building security) | |
| Security Camera Network | None | NEW program to create an integrated safety network | |
OTHER PROGRAMS & SERVICES |
|||
| District Identity (Marketing & Promotion) | Basic | Increases fund for district branding, destination advertising, small business promotion, and public relations | |
| Economic Development | Basic | NEW fund for ground floor business attraction and retention, permit technical assistance | |
| Advocacy | Basic | NEW fund to amplify the district on the local, state, and federal level, build coalitions, and influence policy | |
| Streetscape Improvements | Grant Funded | NEW fund to implement the Downtown SF Public Realm Action Plan and install flexible seating, lighting, plantings, public art, and other urbanism strategies in key public places | |
| Public Space Programming | Grant Funded | NEW fund to activate public spaces with regular programming such as Mechanics Monument Plaza, Landing at Leidesdorff, Downtown Gateway, and the Front Street Entertainment Zone and special events like Let's Glow SF | |
EMBARCADERO PARK
This project goes beyond revitalizing two parks — it’s a major investment in the future of Downtown San Francisco. By transforming Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park into vibrant waterfront hubs, this initiative replaces aging infrastructure with sustainable, engaging public spaces. This gateway project drives economic recovery by boosting foot traffic to local businesses while blending world-class recreation with environmental resilience to create a welcoming realm unlike anything in the city’s history.
HOW WE STACK UP
DSFP operates on a smaller budget than comparable downtown districts, yet delivers strong results in cleanliness, safety, and activation. Renewal and expansion will right-size resources to match the scale and importance of Downtown San Francisco. Increased investment will allow DSFP to maintain quality services, expand proven programs, and accelerate downtown recovery. By voting to renew now, property owners ensure DSFP can continue driving a clean, active, and economically strong downtown.
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| District | Assessment Budget | Appx District Sq.Ft. | $ per sq. ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Long Beach PBID (2025) | $ 4,330,000 | 22.7M | $0.19 |
| Downtown San Jose PBID (2024) | $ 4,622,000 | 21.9M | $0.21 |
Downtown SF Partnership CBD (2024) |
$ 4,862,000 |
39.1M |
$0.13 |
| Downtown Sacramento PBID (2025) | $ 5,921,000 | 25.2M | $0.23 |
| Downtown Denver BID (2023) | $ 7,289,000 | 38.4M | $0.19 |
| Union Square CBD (2024) | $ 7,800,000 | 17.3M | $0.45 |
| Downtown LA Downtown Center BID (2024) | $ 8,664,000 | 64.0M | $0.14 |
| Downtown DC BID (2024) | $ 10,654,000 | 58.5M | $0.18 |
| Downtown San Diego PBID (2024) | $ 12,144,000 | 52.3M | $0.23 |
| Houston Downtown Mgt District (2025) | $ 17,065,000 | 56.9M | $0.30 |
| Downtown Seattle MID (2024) | $ 19,306,000 | 80.7M | $0.24 |
| Alliance for Downtown New York (2024) | $ 20,400,000 | 82.9M | $0.25 |
Annual assessments in comparable downtown districts range from 0.18 to 0.25 cents per sq. ft.
OVERALL ASSESSMENT RATES
| Zone 1 Premium Service | Zone 2 Standard Service | Zone 3 Portside | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean, Safe and Placemaking | $0.16 per Building Sq. Ft | $0.08 per Building Sq. Ft | TBD |
| District Identity, Economic Development, Advocacy, Program Management | $0.07 per Building Sq. Ft | $0.07 per Building Sq. Ft | TBD |
Total Per Ft |
$0.23 |
$0.15 |
TBD |
*swipe right to view additional columns
PARK OVERLAY RATES
Creating a special park overlay assessment will establish a baseline budget between $2M – $2.5M to fund regular programming, special events and concerts, and supplemental cleaning and safety services. This overlay assessment will not be enacted until the park is significantly completed (established FY28 – FY29).
| Parcels | |
|---|---|
| Within 1/8th mi | $0.08 |
| Within 1/4th mi | $0.04 |
| Other district parcels | $0.02 |
RENEWAL TIMELINE
- July – November 2025
Conduct outreach to property owners and managers to develop a shared vision. Define district boundaries and assessment methodology - December 2025 – January 2026
Create new district management plan and assessment engineer’s report for City approval - February – March 2026
Petition Drive: A written petition must be signed by property owners who are responsible for paying more than 30% of the total proposed assessments - April 2026
Ballot voting: After the petition is approved, ballots are mailed to all property owners within the proposed district. A weighted majority of ballots (over 50%) is then required to approve the formation - July 2026
Resolution voted on by SF Board of Supervisors and signed by the Mayor - January 2027
Launch new district & rollout of new services
FAQs
Formed in 2019 and launched in January 2020, the Downtown SF Partnership (DSFP) dedicates over 78% of its operating budget to cleaning and safety services. However, the current management plan no longer aligns with downtown’s post-pandemic recovery needs or stakeholder expectations. Additionally, City grant funding has decreased by 70% in FY26 due to budget constraints. Early renewal and expansion will help right-size the organization to meet today’s needs and plan for future growth.
Commercial properties and condos are assessed at $0.13 per gross square foot (originally $0.10), with the Board of Directors able to increase rates up to 5% annually to match inflation and rising costs. The special assessment appears on property tax bills and is paid yearly to the City. These costs are often passed through as part of lease recoveries or real estate transactions.
Yes, the current district boundaries will be Zone 1 and receive a premium level of programs and services. Zone 2 comprises of the expansion area (landside) and will receive a standard level of services.
DSFP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit overseen by a Board of Directors made up primarily of property owners, along with business, nonprofit, and at-large representatives. Regular advisory committees collaborate on key program areas, while DSFP staff implement the strategic vision outlined in the Management Plan.
No. The City and County of San Francisco maintains baseline services, while DSFP provides supplemental and enhanced cleaning, safety, and beautification services to elevate the district experience.
The City provides 911 emergency and 311 non- emergency services. DSFP supplements these with faster, more responsive care — maintaining a 24-hour zero-tolerance graffiti policy and averaging a 4.25- hour response time via 311, compared to the City’s 781-hour average.
Yes. San Francisco is home to 16 community benefit districts (CBDs) that collaborate through the Special Benefit District Alliance on citywide recovery and advocacy efforts. Globally, there are over 4,000 similar assessment districts, and DSFP is an active member of the International Downtown Association.
No. All properties within the district receive fair and equitable service levels based on district-wide needs and priorities. A community survey will help determine service frequency and programs. All assessed stakeholders will have direct access to DSFP’s Dispatch Center daily for issue reporting and service requests.
Do you have questions or want to learn more about the Downtown SF Partnership's Renewal and Expansion? Please reach out!
Robbie Silver, President & CEO
rsilver@downtownsf.org