California Downtown Association

Over 35 years ago, California passed landmark legislation allowing the formation of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). Soon after, a pioneering group of business district managers recognized the need for an association that would provide a forum for addressing issues unique to business associations in California—the only state at the time that had passed BID legislation. This group, comprised of managers from cities as diverse as Bakersfield, Fresno, Merced, San Jose, Santa Monica and Whittier, came together over a weekend to exchange information. They shared their successes, failures, accomplishments and challenges and created California Downtown
Association (CDA).

Today, downtowns have become the hub of community development efforts by every city in California and cross the nation. With traffic congestion increasing and the environmental impacts of suburban sprawl of concern to all, residents are returning to housing in our historic downtown and a renewed model for city living is emerging. Executive directors of business improvement districts are leading the way, representing business and property owners whose livelihood depends on the accessibility, safety and appeal of these new work/live city centers. Social issues, as well, have moved to the forefront of many business districts, as upwardly mobile professionals claim redeveloped housing in downtown, displacing lower income tenants and—especially in our urban centers—come face to face with our cities’ homeless populations. Downtowns are the urban laboratories where residents, business owners, property owners, planners and city community development and redevelopment leaders are experimenting with the elements and equations of incentives and services to maximize quality of life for Californians.

CDA’s Role in Downtown Revitalization

CDA’s mission is to lead the way in the development of strong central business districts that support the local economy and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors.

As cities respond to the changing needs of their communities, CDA is the one organization in California that serves as a clearinghouse for those who are determining policy, creating ordinances, designing transportation and parking strategies, developing marketing plans and working with legislative representatives to create new paradigms for our urban centers and economies.

With increased presence across the state, CDA is positioned as the primary educational resource for California’s business district managers and city economic and community development staff. To further our mission, in 2006, CDA successfully introduced the first Downtown Professional Certification program in the nation, in partnership with California State University San Bernardino’s College of Extended Learning.

Our membership is diverse, representing hundreds of small business and property owners on main streets and in the historic downtowns and business districts in rural communities of the central valley, the foothills of the Sierras, the beach communities along the northern and southern coasts, as well as the downtowns and revitalized districts located in the heart of California’s urban centers.

Thirty-five percent of our members are the executive directors and managers of business improvement districts (BIDs), property and business improvement districts (PBIDs) and voluntary merchant associations. These organizations range from small, shoestring organizations sustained by dedicated volunteers to million dollar organizations charting the way for emerging 24/7 urban centers. While these organizations vary in size and funding, their missions are similar: To provide support to the business and property owners whose livelihoods depend on safe, clean and visitor–friendly environments.

Another thirty-five percent of our members are economic and community development directors and staff, as well as managers of cities throughout the state. Cities throughout California are engaged in community development efforts that are reinventing downtowns to accommodate high-density live/work economies. CDA members share the best practices and innovations that are benefiting the lives of all who live, shop and seek entertainment in downtowns.

The balance of our membership is comprised of consultants and vendors whose companies provide services such as streetscape improvements, BID formation and management, urban planning, marketing, branding and other supporting industries.

Together, our members are a strong network of professionals whose work is shaping the future of our downtowns and community business districts.

"CDA is the state leader and champion for the revitalization of downtowns and commercial business districts. "