Renewal & Expansion
Downtown SF Partnership Renewal & Expansion Approved
Established in 2020, the Downtown SF Partnership was created during a pivotal moment for Downtown San Francisco. Since then, DSFP has worked alongside property owners, businesses, community partners, and city agencies to address Downtown’s challenges and drive progress through enhanced clean & safe services, public realm investments, placemaking, marketing, and economic development initiatives.
Building on this success, property owners approved DSFP’s early renewal and expansion in July 2026, renewing the Downtown Community Benefit District 10 years ahead of schedule and expanding the district to include additional areas of downtown, including the Embarcadero and Northern Waterfront.
With 85.15% of weighted ballots supporting renewal and expansion, the vote reflected strong confidence in DSFP’s work and a shared commitment to continued investment in a cleaner, safer, more vibrant, and more connected downtown. The renewal and expansion then received unanimous approval from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and was signed into action by Mayor Daniel Lurie in July 2026.
The expanded district creates new opportunities to invest in Downtown’s future, including supporting the long-term stewardship of future public spaces such as Embarcadero Park. Through the renewed District Management Plan, DSFP has established a long-term framework to support the continued success of this important waterfront destination, helping ensure it becomes a vibrant and welcoming space for the community.
Expanded services will begin rolling out in 2027, building on DSFP’s proven programs while introducing new investments in Clean & Safe services, public realm improvements, economic development, and advocacy. A strategic planning process will guide implementation, aligning resources with stakeholder priorities and the long-term needs of downtown.
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
Goals of Early Renewal and Expansion
The Downtown SF Partnership (DSFP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit placemaking organization overseeing a 43-block community benefit district across the Financial District and Jackson Square. Established in 2019 to ensure clean, safe streets and a thriving public realm, DSFP has since become a leader in urban innovation and Downtown revitalization.
To build on this momentum, DSFP is renewing the district 10 years ahead of schedule and expanding its district footprint to accelerate San Francisco’s economic recovery. This proactive renewal ensures sustained investment in programs that enhance the city's core and support long-term business growth.
| 1 | Competitive Edge: Sharpen Downtown San Francisco’s image, competitive edge and build on new momentum and market optimism |
|---|---|
| 2 | Strategic Alignment: Align the investment in with other major North American downtowns post-pandemic |
| 3 | Advocacy & Investment: Serve as the unified voice of Downtown to shape policy, secure public and private investment, and advance bold solutions that strengthen economic competitiveness and long-term growth |
| 4 | Program & Service Delivery: Provide operational excellence in Clean & Safe, market vitality in economic development, and high-impact placemaking |
| 5 | Embarcadero Park: Secure sustainable funding for ongoing programming and services for Downtown SF’s newest public realm capital project |
SERVICE ZONE MAP
*Not finalized. Subject to change.
PROPOSED SERVICE ADJUSTMENTS
Cleaning & Safety
Services increase by 100%, becoming 24/7. Funding 3 new programs, adding homeless outreach case workers, overnight safety patrols, and integrated safety network.
Placemaking
Implementation of the award-winning Downtown SF Public Realm Action Plan - increasing improvements and activations.
Economic Development & Advocacy
Accelerate downtown economic recovery through ground floor business attraction and policy collaboration.
Program Management
Ensure appropriate support of organizational capacity and resources meeting urban place management industry standards.
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*Not finalized. Subject to change.
CURRENT |
PROPOSED SERVICES |
|
|---|---|---|
| CLEAN & SAFE | *Clean & Safe becomes 24/7 | |
| Clean Team Hours of Operation | 6 AM - 8 PM daily | 5 AM - 10 PM daily |
| Cleaning Team | 2 cleanings daily | Properties will receive 4 cleanings daily (manual and mechanical sidewalk and curbline sweeping, trash and debris removal, graffiti abatement, and address other cleaning needs in the public right-of-way). |
| Overnight Power Washing | 6 - 8 week rotation + spot cleaning | 4 - 6 week rotation, Market Street weekly + spot cleaning |
| Safety Team | 2 visits daily | Trained, uniformed, and guard carded ambassadors will visit properties 4 times daily (address quality of life issues, de-escalate negative street behavior, and report crimes to SFPD). |
| Hospitality | 2 support staff | 4 support staff. Members will interact with the public to provide directions, staff information kiosks near public spaces and transit portals, and assist with district activations. |
| 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 |
OVERALL ASSESSMENT RATES
| Zone 1: Financial District & Jackson Square | Zone 2: Embarcadero | Zone 3: Port | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean, Safe, & Placemaking | $0.1569 Per Building Sq. Ft. | $0.0785 Per Building Sq. Ft. | $163.09 Per Linear Ft. |
| District Identity, Economic Development, Advocacy, Admin & Management, Contingency | $0.0667 Per Building Sq. Ft. | $0.0667 Per Building Sq. Ft. | $110.23 Per Linear Ft. |
Total |
$0.2236 |
$0.1452 |
$273.32 |
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*Not finalized. Subject to change.
MANAGEMENT PLAN BUDGET
Annual assessments are based upon an allocation of program and activity costs. The emphasis is based on the proposed service levels by zone as described above. These percentages are subject to change.
REIMAGINING THE WATERFRONT
More than a revitalization of two public spaces, the transformation of Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park represents a generational investment in the future of downtown San Francisco. As part of the renewed and expanded district, DSFP’s District Management Plan includes support for the long-term stewardship of this future waterfront destinations.
This landmark project will reimagine Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park as vibrant, welcoming spaces that bring people together, support recreation and community connection, and strengthen the relationship between downtown and the waterfront.
PARK OVERLAY RATES
Renovating and maintaining Embarcadero Park will deliver district-wide benefits. An economic impact analysis commissioned for the Downtown SF Partnership renewal highlights the tremendous success of vibrant urban parks across cities like New York, Chicago, Detroit, and Houston. These spaces consistently increase property values while boosting foot traffic and leasing activity throughout office, residential, and retail sectors. The study confirms these impacts extend from the immediate quarter-mile radius to create positive economic ripples throughout the entire district.
Creating a special park overlay assessment will establish a baseline budget between $1.8 – $2.5M to fund regular programming, special events and concerts, and enhanced cleaning and safety services. This overlay assessment will not be enacted until the park is significantly completed (estimated FY28 – FY29).
Properties outside of the district boundaries will also receive "general" benefits but cannot be subject to the park overlay assessment. DSFP will fundraise through other sources such as sponsorships, philanthropy, in-kind services, and other revenue generation.
| Parcels | |
|---|---|
| Within 1/8th mi | $0.08 |
| Within 1/4th mi | $0.04 |
| Other district parcels | $0.02 |
HOW WE STACK UP
Despite operating with a smaller budget than many comparable downtown districts, the Downtown SF Partnership has delivered measurable results in cleanliness, safety, placemaking, and economic development. Through the successful renewal and expansion of the Downtown Community Benefit District, property owners voted to right-size investment to better reflect the scale, importance, and needs of Downtown San Francisco. The renewed district will provide the resources needed to sustain proven programs, expand services, and continue building on Downtown's momentum.
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| District | Assessment Budget | Appx District Sq.Ft. | $ per sq. ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance for Downtown New York (2024) | $ 20,400,000 | 82.9M | $0.25 |
| Downtown Seattle MID (2024) | $ 19,306,000 | 80.7M | $0.24 |
| Houston Downtown Mgt District (2025) | $ 17,065,000 | 56.9M | $0.30 |
| Downtown San Diego PBID (2024) | $ 12,144,000 | 52.3M | $0.23 |
| Downtown DC BID (2024) | $ 10,654,000 | 58.5M | $0.18 |
| Downtown LA Downtown Center BID (2024) | $ 8,664,000 | 64.0M | $0.14 |
| Union Square CBD (2024) | $ 7,800,000 | 17.3M | $0.45 |
| Downtown Denver BID (2023) | $ 7,289,000 | 38.4M | $0.19 |
| Downtown Sacramento PBID (2025) | $ 5,921,000 | 25.2M | $0.23 |
Downtown SF Partnership CBD (2024) |
$ 4,862,000 |
39.1M |
$0.13 |
| Downtown San Jose PBID (2024) | $ 4,622,000 | 21.9M | $0.21 |
| Downtown Long Beach PBID (2025) | $ 4,330,000 | 22.7M | $0.19 |
Annual assessments in comparable downtown districts range from 0.18 to 0.25 cents per sq. ft.
RENEWAL TIMELINE
- JUL – NOV 2025
Complete: Conducted outreach with property owners and managers to develop a shared vision, define district boundaries, and establish the proposed assessment methodology. - DEC 2025 – JAN 2026
Complete: Developed the proposed District Management Plan and Engineer's Report for City review. - MAR – APR 2026
Complete: Successfully completed the petition drive, securing signed petitions from property owners representing 43% of the proposed assessments, exceeding the 30% threshold required to move forward - MAY 2026
Complete: The San Francisco Board of Supervisors' Land Use and Transportation Committee approved the Resolution of Intention to renew and expand the Downtown SF Partnership district. - MAY 2026
Complete: The Port Commission approved the proposed district expansion, including Port-owned properties within the renewal process. - JUN 2026
Complete: The Government Audit and Oversight (GAO) Committee approved the resolution authorizing the Mayor to cast assessment ballots on behalf of City-owned properties. - JUL 2026
Complete: Property owners approved the early renewal and expansion of the Downtown Community Benefit District, with 85.15% of weighted assessment ballots cast in support.
Complete: The San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the renewed and expanded district, and Mayor Daniel Lurie signed the legislation, formally establishing the renewed Downtown Community Benefit District. - JAN 2027
Launch: The renewed and expanded Downtown SF Partnership district begins operations, with expanded services rolling out in phases throughout the year.
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 Downtown, Jackson Square, and the Embarcadero 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 organization is increasing street services along with placemaking and economic development programs. Proposed assessment rates are located above.
DSFP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization overseen by a Board of Directors comprised of property & condo owner representation and businesses/tenants operating within the district boundaries. Board members support the mission of DSFP, fundraise for key initiatives, and provide strategic direction over financials and service delivery.
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.
Management Plan & Engineers Report
Click below to view the Downtown San Francisco Partnership Management District Plan and Engineers Report. For questions or to learn more about our renewal and expansion, please contact us at info@downtownsf.org.