Downtown Richmond Business Improvement District

About DRPBID

The Downtown Richmond Property and Business Improvement District (DRPBID) is a public-private partnership managed by Richmond Main Street Initiative (RMSI) and is funded by annual assessments on commercial, non-profit housing, and mixed-use parcels. DRPBID funds pay for services and activities designed to make Downtown economically viable, safe, and attractive.

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District Boundaries

The DRPBID generally includes parcels along Macdonald Avenue from 6th Street to 16th Street, between Barrett Avenue and Bissell Avenue. Within the district boundaries there are 82 parcels owned by 34 entities.

Services, Budget & Duration

Assessment rates for fiscal year 2020-2021 are as follows:

Commercial: $0.134 per parcel square foot per year
Nonprofit housing: $0.063 per parcel square foot per year
Mixed-use: $0.078 per parcel square foot per year
Residential parcels are exempt

Assessment rates may be subject to an increase of no more than three percent per year. The current DRPBID has a five-year-life that commenced on January 1, 2018. The DRPBID may seek a five- or ten-year renewal starting January 1, 2022.

For more information, please download the Management District Plan (2018-2022) and/or Management District Plan (2012-2017).

2020-2021 budget is $212,052. Services are provided to the areas within the DRPBID boundaries, and allocated in the following ways (% of total budget), as set in the Management District Plan:

Cleaning, Maintenance & Safety – 50%
Promotions, Marketing & Business Attraction – 27%
Administration – 15%
Capital Improvements – 2%
Contingency – 5%
Collection Fees – 1%

RMSI shall annually have the ability to reallocate up to 15% of the budget allocation by line item within the budgeted categories.

History

Business improvement districts are a proven revitalization tool for downtown districts throughout the country. Examples of how these districts have benefited neighboring communities include Oakland’s Temescal District, Downtown Berkeley, and the Laurel District in East Oakland.

On July 17, 2012, Downtown Richmond property owners approved, by 75% (weighted by assessment), the Downtown Richmond Property and Business Improvement District (DRPBID), a self-imposed and self-governed property tax assessment to fund and expand established environmental and economic enhancements that augment base level City services. On July 11, 2017, Downtown property owners approved the five-year renewal of the district by 64% (weighted by assessment).

Since implementation, the DRPBID has built on the momentum and investments already made in Downtown and ensured the continuation of Richmond Main Street’s community events, economic development programs, and cleanliness and safety work.

Richmond Main Street & DRPBID

As a community-based organization, Richmond Main Street has the distinct pleasure to work with a diverse group of stakeholders who support our work, including residents, business owners, city government officials, and community organizations. We are proud to work with a group of committed, hard-working staff, board members, and volunteers who have helped RMSI attain remarkable achievements.

Richmond Main Street continues to experience great success with our signature activities:

Promoting the arts and Downtown with Music on the Main, Art In Windows, Spirit & Soul Festival, and Downtown Holiday Festival
Supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses through Richmond Business Bites and partnerships with technical assistance providers
Investing in youth by offering our annual Summer Youth Entrepreneur Program and hosting interns
Creating and increasing access to health and wellness activities through the Healthy Village Festival, weekly Fitness Classes, and our partnership with Mobile Farmers’ Market.
Keeping Downtown clean and safe, and providing jobs to residents, with our ambassador program, managed by Safety1st

Richmond Main Street is growing by leaps and bounds. We have a bright future ahead and expect to continue to be the catalyst for positive change Downtown. We invite everyone to join our efforts building on this momentum as we renew the DRPBID and strengthen this public/private partnership to revitalize Downtown.