About the DBA
We create a welcoming, vibrant, and prosperous city center.
The Downtown Berkeley Association is an independent nonprofit, funded by Downtown property owners, delivering clean, safe, and vibrant streets โ and the marketing, advocacy and support that help local businesses thrive.
187
PROPERTY OWNERS
~680
MERCHANTS & BUSINESSES
1989
FOUNDED
81.5%
PBID RENEWAL VOTE (2025)
OUR MISSION
The Downtown Berkeley Association provides leadership and enhanced services to create and sustain a clean, safe, welcoming, and prosperous Downtown.
OUR VISION
Downtown Berkeley is the heart of the community, offering a dynamic mix of living, learning, working, shopping, dining, cultural, and entertainment experiences.
Community. Culture. Berkeley.
Clean, Safe & Welcoming
A consistently clean, safe, and welcoming Downtown, supported by our Ambassadors and strong partnerships with our civic and community leaders.
Locally Owned & Creative
Attracting, retaining, and supporting the locally owned, creative, and innovative businesses and nonprofits that give Downtown its character.
A Place to Gather
Bringing residents and visitors Downtown to enjoy our businesses, nonprofits, and the arts through events, promotions, and experiences.
Convener & Advocate
Leading the conversation for Downtown Berkeley by working with civic, institutional, and nonprofit partners on policies and investments that shape its future.
Where culture, community, innovation, and local businesses come together to create a downtown thatโs unmistakably Berkeley.
WHAT WE DO
Two kinds of service, one purpose
Environmental Enhancements: Clean, Safe, and Beautiful Services
Cleaning & beautification
Hospitality & safety escorts
Outreach & social services
Downtown Ambassadors on the street
Safety Ambassador Program
Economic Enhancements: Marketing, Vitality, and Economic Development
Marketing & communications
Events & activations
Business support
Vacant storefront economic development services
Over three decades of stewardship
OUR STORY
Main Street Project
The DBA was originally formed as a Main Street project with voluntary dues.
Business Improvement District
Became a BID funded by a surcharge on all business licenses.
The PBID
The PBID replaces the BID โ formed by a 71% vote of property owners โ bringing sufficient funding and focus to key strategic issues.
PBID renewal
The PBID was renewed with a 81.5% vote. The significant program addition was the safety ambassador program, launching in 2027.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Ensure Downtown is consistently safe and clean.
Fill and activate vacant storefronts and support existing small businesses.
Create a more cohesive Downtown experience, including improved lighting, more parks and community gathering spaces, public art, etc.
STRATEGIC GOALS
What weโre working toward
Ensure Downtown Berkeley is consistently clean, safe, and welcoming.
Attract, retain, and support locally-owned, creative, and innovative businesses and nonprofits.
Bring residents and visitors to Downtown to patronize businesses, nonprofits, and the arts.
Be the leading convener and advocate for Downtown Berkeley.
Embody values of service, partnership, innovative problem-solving, and continuous improvement in our community.
Our Downtown Vision
Online Survey Highlights
To broaden community engagement and build on focus group and individual interview themes, a widely-distributed online survey was conducted that gathered 495 responses. In the survey, respondents were asked which three services or programs are most needed to improve Downtown Berkeley in the future. The top three selections were:
Ensure Downtown is consistently clean and well maintained (56%)
Improve security and safety (52%)
Provide support to locally-owned and small businesses (52%)
When asked to choose amongst a set of physical improvements, which three are the most important for the future of Downtown Berkeley, the three top choices were:
Fill and activate vacant storefronts (74%)
Add more green and open spaces where people can gather (34%)
Add more diverse types of housing at a variety of price points (30%)
The PBID
A self-imposed, self-governed property tax
Downtown Berkeley is the civic, cultural, and commercial heart of the city โ home to leading academic institutions, a vibrant restaurant and entertainment scene, and a robust network of small businesses and nonprofits. Though it comprises just 2% of Berkeleyโs land area, Downtown accounts for 17% of all businesses, 10% of jobs, and 34% of the cityโs hotel rooms.
The Downtown Berkeley Association (DBA) is the 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization that oversees services funded through the Downtown Berkeley Property-Based Business Improvement District (PBID), including cleaning, maintenance, outreach, events, marketing, and advocacy.
The PBID was first formed in 201 by a 71% vote of property owners, it was renewed and expanded by a vote of 81.5% in 2025.
๐กก Bounded by Delaware to the north, Oxford & Fulton to the east, MLK Jr. Way to the west, and Dwight Way to the south.