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Downtown Hayward group reports $806,000 budget, outlines cleaning, events and vacancy plans
Summary
The Downtown Hayward Improvement Association told council it runs daily sidewalk operations, has an $806,000 budget, and plans events and placemaking to boost downtown activity; council members pressed on parking, vacant properties and event leadership.
The Downtown Hayward Improvement Association (DHIA) presented its annual report to the Hayward City Council on March 17, describing how the community‑benefit district manages downtown maintenance, events and marketing and seeking tighter coordination with city staff.
Executive director Marco Lemandri said the district’s total operating budget is $806,000 for the year and highlighted three advisory committees that guide sidewalk operations, district identity and land‑use/project review. He said sidewalk operations represent the largest single expense (about $400,000) and that DHIA now employs a seven‑person in‑house maintenance crew wearing green jackets to sweep and clean seven days a week.
Nicholas Yu, assistant district manager, said the district is pursuing place‑making and events (Juneteenth, Taste of Hayward, a Latin Jazz festival and potential night markets), supports 280 businesses in the district and has seen about 11 new businesses open in the last six months. The DHIA reported 13,000 Instagram followers and substantial local media coverage of downtown activities.
Council members raised recurring concerns about long‑term property vacancies on B Street and suggested options from public art to managing paid parking to incentives for property owners. DHIA said it regularly notifies property owners and that some policy tools (such as a vacancy ordinance) would be a city decision. Council members also asked whether DHIA can do more event planning; DHIA said it sponsors and promotes many events but does not operate as a full event‑planner and is discussing partnerships with community organizers.
Council and DHIA discussed potential quick wins including activating Heritage Park for events rather than relying solely on street closures, piloting managed parking (two‑hour limits with enforcement) and adding signage or wayfinding to help visitors navigate downtown. DHIA said it is exploring movable tables and chairs, artist wraps for trash/receptacle covers, and a roster of community festivals to drive foot traffic while remaining mindful of impacts on small, independently owned businesses.
The council thanked DHIA and emphasized a shared goal of growing daytime population and supporting local businesses.
Next steps: staff and DHIA will continue coordination on parking management plans, use of surplus city parcels for development, and options for wayfinding and public art.
