Union Square Business Improvement District wins renewal with 84.9% support; board adopts extension

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors, sitting as a committee of the whole on July 9, adopted a resolution renewing and expanding the Union Square Business Improvement District (BID) for another 10 years after the Department of Elections reported weighted-ballot support of 84.87% in favor.

The renewal would expand services and increase the BID's budget from roughly $3.7 million to about $6 million in the first year, with additional private fundraising expected to bring the first-year total to approximately $6.5 million. The plan calls for higher wages for the BID's clean-and-safe staff, more daytime and evening cleaning, expanded security and camera coverage in the core, and increased placemaking and marketing.

Hearing and board action Board members opened a public hearing that included a presentation from Karen Flood, executive director of the Union Square BID, and a short statement from Chris Korgas of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development explaining the renewal and expansion proposal. Business owners, hotel managers, service partners and nonprofit partners testified in support, including the Downtown Streets Team and Miracle Messages.

What the BID will change - Budget: Proposed increase from about $3,700,000 to roughly $6,000,000 of assessments; additional fundraising to $6.5M projected in year one. - Services: Increased cleaning frequency (including sidewalk sweeping and more pressure washing), extended safety hours, a second 10B officer for the core area and an overnight security patrol, and expansion of a private camera network. - Assessment method: The BID uses a benefit-based point system (primarily sidewalk frontage, building size and lot size) with differential rates by land-use type and two service zones (core Zone 1 with greater service intensity and surrounding Zone 2).

Public testimony and partnerships Supporters included hoteliers, Westfield San Francisco Centre, Recology, downtown merchants and advocates who said BID services reduce litter, graffiti and needles and help coordinate outreach and workforce programs. Downtown Streets Team representatives described employment and housing outcomes for team members who worked in Union Square under BID partnerships.

Vote and outcome After the Department of Elections tabulated ballots, the board found no majority protest and voted to adopt the renewal and expansion; the returned weighted ballots were 84.87% in favor and 15.13% opposed. The board then passed the resolution unanimously.

Provenance: The record of the hearing, presentation and ballot tabulation is in the July 9 transcript; the Department of Elections returned weighted-ballot results and the Board adopted the renewal on the record.