Click here for a copy of the Association's BID Petition.

The East Village Association is a non-profit organization of residents, merchants and property owners dedicated to promoting the renaissance of Downtown San Diego’s East Village neighborhood. Our Association is working together to form a Business Improvement District (BID) and would like your input and involvement.

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are a type of assessment district in which business owners choose to be assessed a fee, which is collected on their behalf by the City, for use in promoting and improving the business area. Today there are approximately 200 BIDs in the State of California. Some neighboring BIDs in the City of San Diego include the Downtown, Gaslamp Quarter and Little Italy BIDs.

• Present a unified voice for East Village businesses
• Create and implement a marketing plan for East Village
• Negotiate cost-effective advertising campaigns
• Advocate for public improvements and beautification efforts
• Advocate for additional City and CCDC resources for East Village
• Participate in a coalition of other local BIDs
• Work together with East Village merchants to plan special events that would benefit East Village such as music and arts festivals and extended hours business events.

1. What is a Business Improvement District (BID)?
   BIDs are a type of assessment district in which business owners choose to be assessed a fee, which is collected on their behalf by the City of San Diego with their Business Tax Certificate annual renewal. The assessments are used to promote and improve the business area.


2. How will the BID benefit my business?
   The BID would benefit businesses through marketing and advertising plans specifically tailored for East Village and planning special events like music and arts festivals and extended hours events. Additionally, the BID would advocate for public improvements and beautification efforts and review and comment on redevelopment projects in East Village.


3. How much would I be expected to pay and how would the fees be assessed?
   Businesses with 12 or fewer employees would pay $250 per year. A business with 13 or more employees would pay $350, plus $5 for each additional employee, not to exceed $600 per year. The annual BID assessment would be attached to the City of San Diego Business Tax Certificate renewal fee.


4. What would prevent my fees from going up every year and becoming exorbitant?
   The BID fees cannot be raised without the approval of East Village Business License holders and a formal vote of the City Council.


5. Once the BID has been created, can the boundaries be changed?
   The BID boundaries can only be changed if the request is approved by the businesses and a formal vote of the City Council.


6. Who gets to vote and how is my vote counted?
   All business license holders in the proposed East Village BID boundary will have an opportunity to vote in the mail-ballot election following the petition process. Ballots are weighed on assessed value, and by the number of businesses voting in the proposed district. To go forward with the BID process, the ballots in favor must represent at least 50% of the value of proposed BID assessments of the businesses and 50% of the number of businesses that respond to the ballot.


7. What will my role be once the BID is created? Will I have any say in the BID management?
   All eligible East Village Business License holders would be encouraged to contribute their energy and ideas so that the BID truly represents all East Village stakeholders. A Board of Directors will be elected to implement the articles of incorporation, make policy and planning decisions and vote on the expenditure of funds for the BID.