Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Neighborhood Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Castro Community Benefit District wins renewal and slight expansion after public hearing
Summary
After a remote public hearing and public testimony from dozens of local property owners and business operators, the Department of Elections reported a weighted ballot result showing no majority protest and the Board moved to renew and slightly expand the Castro Community Benefit District for 15 years.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors convened a public hearing July 14 to consider renewal and a modest expansion of the Castro Community Benefit District (CBD). After public testimony and ballot tabulation, the Department of Elections reported that the returned weighted ballots did not show a majority protest, enabling the board to adopt the renewal resolution.
Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, sponsor of the renewal hearing, underscored the CBD’s role in cleaning, public‑space activation and support for small businesses, and asked the board to support another 15‑year term for the district. “The condition of the neighborhood would be much, much worse if not for the work the CBD does every day,” Mandelman said.
What the district will do The management plan presented at the hearing described the Castro CBD’s services: daily cleaning and trash removal, rapid graffiti abatement, a patrol program focused on quality‑of‑life issues, public‑space activation at Jane Warner Plaza, and marketing efforts to attract visitors and support merchants. The proposed renewal starts in fiscal year 2021 and includes a three‑zone assessment structure with higher assessments in the business core and reduced rates in peripheral zones.
Budget and finances The CBD’s year‑one budget presented at the hearing showed an estimated assessment revenue of about $819,403 and total year‑one revenue of roughly $1,141,000 when general‑benefit (non‑assessment) funds are added. The district said it also has a track record of raising grants and donations to augment assessment revenue.
Public comments Dozens of property owners, small business operators and district supporters phoned in during the hearing. Multiple speakers cited daily cleaning, needle and human‑waste removal, and ambassador and patrol services as reasons to renew. Andrea Aiello, the district’s executive director, outlined services and thanked property owners and OEWD for support.
Ballot tabulation and board action The Department of Elections reported returned weighted ballots with 28.48% voting against the renewal and no majority protest. With no majority protest, the board adopted the resolution renewing and slightly expanding the district for 15 years by unanimous roll call.
What happens next The board adopted the resolution and the district will implement the renewal according to the management plan. The district said it will continue cleaning, public‑space activation, and stewardship work and will coordinate with OEWD and city departments on implementation and oversight.
