Initiatives

Exploring an Improvement District for Downtown Campbell


Update: October 2026 — Feasibility Study Complete

The City of Campbell has completed a feasibility study examining the potential for a Business Improvement District (BID) or Property-Based Improvement District (PBID) in Downtown Campbell. The study included outreach to Downtown businesses and property owners, analysis of potential district boundaries and assessments, and recommendations for next steps. Below is a summary of main findings and next steps. 

Join us for a wrap-up meeting on Wednesday, October 21, at 10 a.m. We'll review the consultant's findings, discuss recommendations and next steps, and answer questions. The meeting will take place in Downtown Campbell, with the location to be announced.

Register for the October 21 meeting

Key Findings and Next Steps

  • A Business Improvement District (BID) emerged as the preferred model. Compared with a PBID, a BID would have lower assessments, be simpler to establish, and give Downtown businesses a direct role in determining how funds are used. The consultant recommends focusing future work on the BID model.

  • A BID would provide a dedicated but modest source of funding for Downtown. The study modeled assessment rates that could generate approximately $53,000–$71,000 annually, depending on the size of the district. This compares to a revenue range for a PBID of between $164,000 and $250,000 annually.  

  • The City should not begin a formal BID formation process at this time. Instead, the recommendation is to spend at least the next year continuing outreach, building awareness of how a BID would work, and providing clearer information about potential costs, benefits and responsibilities.

  • Broader participation will be important. Approximately 45 stakeholders participated in the study, but some parts of the Downtown business community, particularly office tenants, were underrepresented. Additional outreach will help determine whether there is broader support for a BID.

  • A successful BID will need to be business-led. Moving forward would require a core group of Downtown business leaders willing to champion the effort and help shape the district's priorities, services and governance.

For a copy of the report, please email us.

Background

Downtown Campbell plays an important role in the city's identity and local economy. As part of ongoing efforts to support a strong, competitive downtown, the City explored whether an improvement district could provide additional resources for Downtown services and programs.

Improvement districts are used in communities throughout California to fund enhanced services such as cleaning, maintenance, marketing, events and placemaking. These districts are funded through assessments on participating businesses (BID) or property owners (PBID), with funds dedicated to improvements within the district.

The feasibility study was undertaken as part of the City Council-approved Economic Development Plan. In late 2025, the City selected Progressive Urban Management Associates (P.U.M.A.) to conduct the analysis and facilitate community outreach.

Resources

In late 2025, the City selected Progressive Urban Management Associates Inc. to support outreach and feasibility analysis.  Check back here regularly for updates on this effort, including documents and information about upcoming meetings.

Questions 

Reach out to Economic Development Manager Nathan Donato-Weinstein at nathand@campbellca.gov or call (408) 866-2705.