Public-Private Partnerships in Urban Development in the United States

35

Street Association, represents a prime example of a public-private partnership. The project
includes public art, sidewalk upgrades, significant landscaping and decorative lighting. The
project cost approximately $800,000, funded grants obtained by the city. The project itself
was developed through a joint comprehensive planning process including the city, the
community and the business association. Most every detail was reviewed and approved both
by the community and the city. During construction, the city worked closely with the hired
contractor and the businesses. Prior to construction, the BID voted to create a LMD to pay for
ongoing maintenance of the project. Thus, the relationship between the city and businesses
was very close. Richard Kuryb, who works for the North Park Main Street Association, also
confirmed a successful and close public-private partnership between the city and the North
Park Main Street Association.⁹

The Gaslamp Quarter is another outstanding example in San Diego due to its effectiveness
and accomplishments. According to Symons,:

“As ten to 15 years ago, the district needed significant revitalization. The efforts of the business association and
the residents, city government and the Convention & Visitor Bureau have paid off. The district is absolutely
thriving and those that hadn’t seen it years ago would hardly believe what it once was. Special events are
becoming an additional draw to this successful area.”¹⁰

Another very good example is the Adams Avenue. That district has established itself as
Antique Row with numerous antique stores, as well as a unique book-selling area. The BID
itself is responsible for coordinating the two of the largest free music festivals in Southern
California. The success of these events have positioned the Adams Avenue BID as a leader in
special event fundraising. Symons also considered the management of the district to be one of
the most entrepreneurial of all BID’s in San Diego, as they have branched out to tackle
community issues, such as actually developing a school annex for the neighborhood.¹¹

In contrast to the organization of the BID program in the City of San Diego, in the City of Los
Angeles the program is administered by the Office of the City Clerk. The City Clerk serves as
a facilitator to assemble the components required to consider establishing a BID in a given
area of the city. The service operations aim at formation, establishment and administrative
activities. In this regard, the public-private sector liaison is highlighted by the city. An
important part of the public-private partnership is here the City Clerk’s assistance in
implementing activities or programs which require the coordination and cooperation of other
city departments and resources.¹² By and large, the city through the City Clerk provides a
comprehensive direct district development assistance, legislative assistance and public
relations assistance.

BID’s as a means of commercial revitalization in downtown and surrounding neighborhoods
spread also to mid-size cities in the United States. The mid-sized City of Santa Ana, for
instance, has an active downtown-based business association, the Downtown Santa Ana
Business Association (DSABA). The DSABA is a nonprofit organization funded through
annual taxes paid by businesses within the downtown BID. The DSABA and its BID was
created by the City Council and downtown business owners to implement activities to support
downtown. DSABA’s role is to prepare a budget for the City Council approval and to
implement the activities outlined in the budget. Special about the organizational structure of
the BID in Santa Ana is that the downtown development manager serves also as the DSABA
administrative director. Moreover, the downtown development agency manages the

⁹ Phone Interview with Richard Kuryb on the 12^th of December 2000

¹⁰ Interview with Eric Symons on the 29^th of November 2000

¹¹ compare: www.gothere.com/AdamsAve

¹² Office of the City Clerk: Citywide Business Improvment District Program, Detail of Service Operations

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