1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: April 4, 2023
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Patrick Prescott, Community Development Director VIA: Simone McFarland, Assistant. Community Development Director, Economic Development and Housing
Mary Hamzoian, Economic Development Manager
BY: Marissa Minor, Senior Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: Approval of the Downtown Burbank Property Based Business Improvement District Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the Downtown Burbank Property Based Business Improvement District’s (PBID) Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Annual Report (Attachment 1) pursuant to Section 36650 of the California Street and Highways Code.
BACKGROUND
The Downtown Burbank Property Based Business Improvement District ( PBID) was established by City Council in 2003 and has been renewed three times, twice for a five- year term in 2008 and 2013, and again in 2018 for a 10- year term through 2028. The PBID’s 2018 renewal extended the boundaries of Downtown Burbank (Downtown) south to Alameda and increased the budget by 48% , which now totals a pproximately $1,024,000 annually.
The Annual Report (Attachment 1) is required by the California Streets and Highways Code Section 36650 and provides an outline for the programs and services that the PBID will offer in FY 2023, which runs from January 1 to December 31, 2023.
This year marks the 20
th anniversary of the establishment of the PBID. Since 2003, the PBID has been a driving force in support ing the evolution of Downtown into a vibrant, mixed-use urban neighborhood adding housing, entertainment, shopping, and dining
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
2 establishments for residents, visitors, and employees. Many of the improvements and programs seen today would not have been possible without the investment and the hard work of the PBID.
The PBID is an example of a successful public/private partnership with the City. The PBID is a non-profit organization governed by the Downtown Burbank Partnership, with Board members comprised of brokers , property owners, and business owners in Downtown .
The City’s Economic Development Team manages the efforts of the PBID creat ing projects and programs that enhance the economic wellbeing of Downtown, and ultimately increasing consumer spending, visitation and property values for the area . The goals of the PBID are to:
• Preserve and improve the aesthetics of Downtown through enhancements to capital infrastructure;
• Increase the frequency of power washing and maintenance; • Market Downtown as a destination and attract events to increase visitation and consumer spending;
• Enhance safety and provide hospitality and social outreach services through StreetPlus;
• Maintain a low vacancy rate through leasing support, broker outreach, and advocacy;
• Streamline processes and provide business concierge services to support businesses with advocacy and outreach; and,
• Support the formation of a livable and walkable neighborhood.
DISCUSSION
The Downtown Burbank Partnership 2022 Year in Review and 202 3 Looking Ahead Marketing Report, referenced as Attachment 2, provides highlights of the PBID’s accomplishments in FY 2022 and discusses plans for 2023. Highlights from the 202 2 Year in Review include the following:
• The extension of outdoor dining including in-street dining parklets and expanded sidewalk dining;
• Continuation of enhanced weekly maintenance services including cleaning of high- traffic touch points and communal dining parklets;
• The revival of , and increase in, special events program ming including two arts festivals, the Burbank Winter Wine Walk, Music on the Boulevard, weekly Farmer’s Market, and weekly Downtown Burbank Cultural Market, attracting more visitors and enhancing the ambiance in Downtown;
• The addition of a new streetscape mural by famed French artist Thierry Lefort; 3 • Enhanced digital and social media marketing campaigns promoting new restaurants/retailers, existing shopping and dining establishments, outdoor dining, events, entertainment, and hospitality options;
• Enhanced holiday décor expanding into Zone 3 with new median displays including welcoming holiday messages and 4' and 6' tall gold stars; • Continuing hospitality and social service outreach program through Street Plus; and,
• Supporting business attraction efforts with the launch of a Broker Open House Event, broker marketing materials, and the attraction of new retailers and restaurants including Ciderworks at Story Tavern, Lusanet Collective, Boba Time, and Smashed Burger, with additional tenants opening in 2023.
Looking Ahead 2023
For the past 20 years, the PBID has been the only constant funding mechanism in place dedicating approximately $16 million to Downtown through capital improvements, maintenance, infrastructure enhancements, event s, social services, marketing, advocacy, and leasing support. The ongoing efforts of the PBID have shaped the evolution of Downtown to a cleaner, safer and thriving neighborhood. This would not be possible without the dedication from the property owners to maintain this stable funding mechanism in place for 20 years. Looking ahead, the PBID plans to carry out the following initiatives in FY 2023:
• Continuing enhancement of outdoor parklets and paseos including: new murals, the build out of two street level communal parklets, new k-rail wraps, and more; • Replanting of new plants in existing planters and paseos; • Enhancing digital and social media marketing with a focus on promoting Downtown as a destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment; • Creating, collaborating, and supporting tenant attraction strategies in partnership with the broker community including the production of a broker focused event and updated outreach materials;
• Maintaining and sponsoring events in Downtown to increase pedestrian traffic and consumer spending;
• Maintaining Hospitality and Social Outreach Services with a focus on safety, district maintenance, homeless outreach, and street performer management; • Implementing a new wayfinding signage program to beautify Downtown and support safe streets;
• Supporting outreach and marketing for the San Fernando Reconfiguration Project; and,
• Maintaining a holiday décor program and year-round ambient outdoor lighting.
4 California Street and Highways Code Section 36650 Requirement The California Streets and Highways Code Section 366 50 requires an owners’ association to prepare a report for each fiscal year, except the first year, for which assessments are to be levied and collected to pay the cost of the improvements, maintenance, and activities described in the report. The report may propose changes, including, but not limited to, the boundaries of the property and business improvement district or any benefit zones within the district, the basis and method of levying the assessments, and any changes in the classification of property, including any categories of business, if a classification is used.
In compliance with the State law and the Management District Plan for the PBID, the FY 2023 Annual Report outlines the boundaries of the PBID, the method and basis of levying the assessment for each property owner, future plans for 2023 , and other statutorily required provisions.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This activity has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect phy sical change in the environment, and as such, is not a “project” subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 14 Cal. Code Regs § 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City’s General Fund by approving the FY 2023 Annual Report. However, the efforts of the PBID are expected to continue to maintain or increase sales tax revenue for the General Fund. The PBID continues to fund maintenance and capital improvement projects in Downtown that would not otherwise be possible without the investment from the PBID . A dditionally, the PBID contributes $170,772 annually towards Economic Development staff salaries.
CONCLUSION
Over the past 20 years, t he PBID has invested almost $16 million in private funding to help with the transformation and evolution of Downtown Burbank. 2022 was yet another successful year for the PBID with expanded holiday décor into Zone 3, extension of in-street dining parklets and expanded sidewalk dining, the revival and expansion of special events, and the continuation of the Hospitality and Social Outreach Program.
Downtown Burbank wouldn’t be as successful as it is today without the support and collaboration of the City of Burbank, the Community Development Department’s Economic Development Team, and the Burbank Property Based Business Improvement District. Together, these organizations work to attract new businesses and development, 5 enhance consumer spending and visitation, facilitate jobs, and maintain a vibrant urban neighborhood that is safe and thriving.
Looking ahead, 2023 will be focused on continued updates and upgrades to Downtown Burbank to ensure residents, visitors, and employees can live, work, and explore 18- hours a day. The past 20 years of effort from the PBID to further manage the evolution and success of Downtown, coupled with the new mixed-use housing developments provides a unique opportunity for growth and expansion. The PBID looks forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the City’s Economic Development Team to create a safe, beautiful, and thriving community.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – Downtown Burbank Property Based Business Improvement District (PBID) Annual Report FY 2023
Attachment 2 – Downtown Burbank Partnership Accomplishments for 2022 and Looking Ahead 2023