For Businesses

Welcome to the Downtown Alameda Business Association! We are thrilled to have you and your business as a new member of our community.

As a retail, professional, or service business located within the designated Park Street Business Improvement Area (BIA), you are automatically a member of the Downtown Association with payment of BIA dues as set forth by the City ordinance. The BIA fee is paid in conjunction with your business license each year. (Members outside the BIA boundaries may join as an Associate Member.)

Member fees are vital  to maintaining and decorating public areas in the downtown district, supporting committee efforts to create a desirable business climate, contributing to the operational costs of the Downtown Association, as well as promoting the downtown district to a wide audience.

While you become more familiar with the downtown district, we look forward to assisting you with the many member-focused opportunities provided by our association. We're also excited to help you engage with local customers by showcasing your business online and through other marketing channels.

We hope the information compiled on this page will be beneficial as you get your business up and running.

Sincerely,

The Downtown Alameda Business Association's Board of Directors and Staff

The Downtown Alameda Business Association is hard at work year-round with our members in mind. The goal of our organization is to help businesses thrive while improving our historic downtown and maintaining an economically prosperous district that is  family-friendly, clean, green, and safe. 

Here are some of the things we do for our Downtown Alameda businesses:

ADVERTISING/MARKETING

• Coordinate both both on- and off-island promotions to attract visitors to the downtown district
• Publicize member events, promotions, and fundraisers through our online channels and local media contacts
• Host networking opportunities to increase awareness of local businesses to other downtown business owners and managers

DOWNTOWN EVENTS

• Produce long-standing annual events that bring thousands of visitors to the district 
• Activate local areas during street closure events to bring local businesses to the forefront
• Create innovative events such as Downtown Strolls to drive traffic into your business
• Coordinate effective district-wide seasonal marketing campaigns to drive traffic into your business

DISTRICT MAINTENANCE & SAFETY

• Monitor street maintenance and trash collection ensuring service is provided as scheduled
• Work with the City to install additional recycle/compost stations in the district
• Maintain our Clean, Green & Safe Fund to provide resources for the beautification of our historic district
• Work diligently with the Alameda Police Department to stay on top of any safety issues in our downtown district 

ADVOCACY & MEMBER SUPPORT 

• Advocate on behalf of member businesses regarding municipal issues, ordinances, and new projects
• Work with members to access grant funding opportunities as they become available
• Communicate district news, activities, and business opportunities via association newsletters and online forums
• Support in a variety of capacities through personal visits 
• Provide discounted monthly parking passes available for two Municipal Lots 
• Host complimentary member events including mixers, workshops, and our annual holiday party

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

• Collaborate with community organizations to create a positive image of the downtown district and promote community-focused events.
• Support local art programs including 2nd Friday ArtWalks
• Our staff and Board members sit on multiple committees in the interest and betterment of downtown including: Coalition of Alameda Business Associations, City’s Economic Task Force, Facade Grant Committee, Government Relations & Economic Development Committee, Carnegie Restoration Project, Homeless Outreach Team, Climate Action Plan, and IntraCity Shuttle Project

Promoting a healthy retail/service climate in our downtown district benefits the entire community. Membership fees are vital  to maintaining and decorating public areas in the downtown district, supporting committee efforts to create a desirable business climate, contributing to the operational costs of the Downtown Association, as well as promoting the downtown district to a wide audience. 

Retail, professional, and service businesses located within the designated Park Street Business Improvement Area (BIA) are automatically a General Member of the Downtown Alameda Business Association with payment of BIA dues as set forth by City ordinance. 

Businesses located outside the BIA boundaries may become Associate Members with payment of annual dues. Our Associate Membership program allows businesses operating in other parts of Alameda to support our mission while taking advantage of member benefits and a variety of marketing opportunities. 

View member benefits: www.DowntownAlameda.com/about/membership/

Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) are used extensively throughout California to promote a healthy retail/service climate as well as a district that is aesthetically pleasing and clean. Perhaps the biggest advantage to being in a Business Improvement Area is the knowledge that the welfare of the district is being actively pursued by both hired staff and civic-minded volunteers.

The Park Street Business Improvement Area (BIA) was formed in 1989 and codified in the Alameda Municipal Code (AMC), Section 6-7. Each year, the City Council re-confirms the Park Street BIA and sets the levy that becomes "dues" for businesses located within the designated improvement area.

Revenues from the BIA directly benefit businesses located in Downtown Alameda through the general promotion of business activities and public events, beautification and ambiance, construction and maintenance of parking facilities, and special projects benefiting the business area.

The Park Street BIA includes the "Theatre District" (Zone A) and the surrounding downtown business area (Zone B), including the newly added Park Street Landing.

The Park Street BIA is managed by the Downtown Alameda Business Association (formerly known as the Park Street Business Association). 

View background info for fiscal year 2019/2020 (boundaries map and address list, BIA fee schedule, Downtown Association work plan): City Council agenda item (May 7, 2019)

Additional information about the City of Alameda's Business Improvement Areas (BIA's) is available on the city website:
www.alamedaca.gov/Business/Business-Associations-Improvement-Areas

Businesses located in and around Park Street are encouraged to contact the Downtown Alameda Business Association for further details.

Your business and our district depend on how proactive business owners and managers like you are throughout the year. There is always a way for you to make a difference that can benefit you, your staff, your business, and our entire historic downtown district.

Join a committee

Sit on one of our four standing committees or join a subcommittee.

Become a block captain

Our block captains help to welcome new businesses and distribute important announcements within an assigned area.

Volunteer to help with district events

Assist in producing one of our exciting downtown events.

Attend monthly mixers

Our downtown business mixers are usually held on the third Wednesday of the month. Join the conversation at a mixer or other special meeting. Maybe even host a mixer.

Speak up at a City Council

Your opinion matters. We'll notify you when an important topic affecting downtown businesses is scheduled to be heard at City Council.

Write an article for our monthly newsletter

Share your business tips.

Promote the downtown district in your emails and on social media

Help us spread the word about how great it is to live, work, shop, dine, and do business in Downtown Alameda! Tag your social posts with #DowntownAlameda

Participate in an online discussion group

Join a private GOOGLE GROUP or FACEBOOK GROUP to communicate directly with other merchants in our downtown district!

Send alerts

Ask for advice

Recommend a service

Share good news

To join one or both groups, send a request to: office@downtownalameda.com

Having your business listed on the Downtown Alameda website is a member benefit we provide to help you gain more exposure. Our website gets lots of traffic each month as thousands of visitors search for information on events, current news, and businesses located in the downtown district. 

The online directory includes custom pages for each of our member businesses. Each business page includes business description, location info and map, link to your official website, and a business profile image. Additionally, to help visitors identify your type of business, businesses can be listed in one or two subcategories -- for example, maybe you offer Home Services and Design Services.

Take a moment to look for your business on our website: www.DowntownAlameda.com/Merchant-Directory

If you cannot find your business or would like to make changes to your business listing, please email office@downtownalameda.com.

The Downtown Association’s website includes a page for posting events happening in the district. Anybody can post events. There is no need to log in. 

After an event is submitted, it is reviewed by an administrator to ensure the event takes place at a member business within the district. Approval can sometimes take up to 2 days so be sure to submit your event well in advance.

Submit your event here: www.DowntownAlameda.com/calendar/

(Look for the blue "Submit An Event" button.)

Our online resources can help you to successfully start and operate a business in Alameda. Topics include:

Starting a Business in Alameda

Business Improvement Grants

Permit Applications (new, remodel, signs, special events)

Alameda's Green Ordinances (recycling & composting, plastic bags, foodware, straws)

Smoking and Tobacco Ordinances

Temporary Sign Guidelines

Minimum Wage Official Notice

SeeClickFix (report graffiti and city maintenance issues)

Important Phone Numbers

Learn more about each topic and access links to the city's website: www.DowntownAlameda.com/doing-business/

The Downtown Alameda Business Association’s Board of Directors,
committees, and staff work year-round in collaboration with the City of
Alameda, community organizations, association stakeholders, and all of
you to focus on important issues and activities that keep our downtown
vital, clean, green, and safe.

View the current Board of Directors roster and staff listing: www.DowntownAlameda.com/about/leadership/

The Park Street Business Association (dba Downtown Alameda Business Association) is a 501(c)6 organization. The association was first formed in 1981 by community leaders and downtown business owners. The association acts as the advisory board for the Park Street Business Improvement Area which was codified in 1989.

By-Laws:

Association By-Laws; revised 8/8/18

Policies:

Operating Reserve; adopted 1/30/19

Document Retention; adopted 1/30/19

Transparency; adopted 1/30/19

Procurement & Purchasing; adopted 2/27/19

Financial Reports:

FY17/18 Tax Return (most current report filed)

Work Plans:

FY2019/2020 Budget

FY2019/2020 Work Plan