Laserfiche WebLink
Introduction <br />Offering a variety of services and amenities for visitors, businesses, and residents, <br />Downtown Santa Ana is a quaint, historic, yet bustling area located in the heart of the <br />Santa Ana, the county seat of Orange County. Downtown Santa Ana is home to a <br />vibrant Latino shopping district, the Artists Village, major office centers, and financial <br />institutions. Downtown is also home to federal, State, County, and municipal courts and <br />administrative offices. <br />A Community Management District (CMD) funds special services that address specific <br />needs of commercial centers. These services may include special "Clean and Safe" <br />programs like enhanced maintenance, landscaping, and security; vital Economic <br />Revitalization programs intended to promote customer and investor confidence, such as <br />business assistance and attraction, education and information, parking programs, and <br />the like; and, of course, Marketing and Promotions programs and activities designed to <br />increase awareness and sales. Marketing and Promotions programs can include <br />special events, holiday celebrations, music and arts festivals, comprehensive <br />advertising, branding, public outreach, and more. A CMD also facilitates coordination <br />among various interests such as City departments, elected officials, community groups <br />and business leaders to accomplish its goals. This strengthens relationships, increases <br />cooperation, and integrates the various efforts to thoughtfully improve the district. A <br />CMD will provide financial and administrative resources to partner with public and <br />private organizations to bring back the vitality of this lively shopping district. <br />In 1984, a merchant -based Business Improvement District was established in <br />Downtown Santa Ana and continues today. Originally managed by the Downtown <br />Santa Ana Business Association, in recent years program implementation <br />responsibilities have been divided among different geographical and market sectors. <br />In 2006, after a number years of economic struggle to revitalize Downtown Santa Ana, <br />there developed an interest in establishing a Property and Business Improvement <br />District (PBID). Property owners formed a proponent group and approached the City's <br />Community Development Agency for assistance to engage a PBID advisor. The City of <br />Santa Ana approved hiring a consultant to work with Downtown stakeholders in <br />establishing a new district. Property owners, in partnership with local merchants and the <br />City, worked together to launch a new effort to create a district. A Formation Committee <br />was established to direct and advise on the creation of this Management Plan. In June <br />2008, the CMD Formation Committee requested that the City of Santa Ana amend the <br />Municipal Code to enable the establishment of Community Management Districts. The <br />City Council began the amendment process in July 2008. <br />The formation of the Downtown Santa Ana Community Management District will serve <br />to enhance the commercial district thereby increasing commerce and prosperity. <br />In May 2011, the CMD Property Owner's Association (Downtown Inc.) requested the <br />City of Santa Ana City Council to modify the CMD boundaries for Years 3, 4 and 5 of <br />the 5 year CMD term by deleting areas to the west, north and east of the original CMD <br />boundaries. The primary reason for this reduction is to concentrate CMD services and <br />programs on a more focused area for maximum service efficiency and program benefit. <br />