Downtown Berkeley Business Improvement District Renewal

At a glance

What: Re-establishment of the Downtown Berkeley Property Based Business Improvement District (DPBID) for ten years, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2036 (operations January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2036), with assessments levied on district properties for Fiscal Year 2027, plus a sole-source pass-through contract with the Downtown Berkeley Association (DBA) for an anticipated $33,558,899 over FYs 27 to 36.
Where it stands: Adopted May 19, 2026 after a public hearing: Resolution No. 72,285-N.S. (re-establishing the DPBID) and Resolution No. 72,286-N.S. (contract with the DBA), motion (Tregub/Kesarwani), all ayes.
Next: District operations begin January 1, 2027. Any funds received above the anticipated amount (Fund 786) are also to be paid to the DBA.

Action Calendar public hearing item 20, from the City Manager; contact Eleanor Hollander, Economic Development. Adoption depended on no majority protest after tabulation of assessment ballots.
5 speakers at the hearing. Motion to close the hearing (Taplin/Humbert): Ayes Kesarwani, Taplin, Tregub, O'Keefe, Blackaby, Lunaparra, Humbert, Ishii; Absent Bartlett. The adoption vote is recorded as all ayes.
A supplemental letter on the item came from one resident (Supplemental Communications 2); the minutes do not state a position.
Related: the DBA also appears in Council Discretionary Fund Grants and the budget allocations in Biennial Budget Adoption.

City Council regular meeting minutes, May 19, 2026 (approved minutes batch): https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas

Hearing held (5 speakers) and both resolutions (72,285 and 72,286) adopted, all ayes.