Downtown Association of Santa Cruz
The Downtown Association of Santa Cruz manages a ‘Business Improvement District‘ established to promote commerce and provide an environment compatible with doing business. Business operators in the Downtown district contribute an assessment which is allocated by the Downtown Association Board of Directors to further the mission of the Downtown Association. The Board of Directors is comprised of, and elected by, assessed business owners in Downtown Santa Cruz.
The mission of the Downtown Association of Santa Cruz is to provide effective leadership in order to create, promote and sustain downtown as a unique and economically viable business, entertainment, social and cultural center. The primary function of the Downtown Association is to market Downtown Santa Cruz and provide clean, safe and welcoming services to visitors and businesses 365 days a year through our Ambassador and Information Kiosk programs. The Downtown Association also advocates for businesses and serves as a representative with government agencies and other organizations when addressing issues specific or pertinent to the Mission of the Downtown Association. And the Association connects downtown business owners and managers to business resources and to each other.
For Downtown Businesses: Downtown Business Portal
Downtown Association Board of Directors
Board Chair
Cara Pearson, Pacific Cookie Company
Vice Chair
David Guzman, Sol Property Advisors
Treasurer
Bill Kempf, William C. Kempf, Architect
Secretary
Janis Coulter, Cognito Clothing
Marketing Committee Chair
Jennalee Dahlen, Yoso Wellness Spa
Downtown Recovery Committee Chair
Kamala Allison, Fybr Bamboo
Nominations Committee Chair
Suna Lock, Stripe
At-Large Directors
Germaine Akin, 515 Kitchen & Cocktails
Patrice Boyle, Soif Wine Bar and Merchant
Zach Davis, The Penny Ice Creamery and Snap Taco
Shiri Gradek, Sereno Group Realtors
Board Observers
Stuyvie Bearns Esteva, Lúpulo Craft Beer House
Emily Coonerty, Dell Williams Jewelers
Joe Ferrara, Atlantis Fantasy World
Linnaea Holgers James, Artisans & Agency
Downtown Association Staff
Jorian Wilkins, Executive Director
Sonja Brunner, Director of Operations
Melissa Begin, Marketing Lead
Downtown Association Meetings
The Downtown Association Board of Directors meets every month on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 8:30 a.m. Board Subcommittees meet between Board sessions, also on Tuesdays at 8:30am. Members are welcome; links to join below.
Upcoming meetings
June 15
Board of Directors
Link to join
June 22
Marketing Committee
Link to join
July 6
Downtown Recovery Committee
Link to join
July 13
Finance Committee
Link to join
Downtown Recovery Panel Recordings
Downtown Recovery | June 1 | City Initiatives
Downtown Pops! Outdoor Dining. Revolving Loans. Shop Santa Cruz. City Arts Recovery Design Grants. Hear from the City of Santa Cruz Department of Economic Development about new programs supporting Downtown’s recovery!
Link to watch | Link to presentation
Downtown Recovery | April 6 | Big Plans for the Future
Hear from the developers of these major projects underway Downtown:
Garrett Borges, Anton DevCo | Pacific/Front/Laurel
Jessica de Wit, City of Santa Cruz | Pacific Station
Jessie Bristow, Swenson Builders | 530 Front
Owen Lawlor, Lawlor LandUse | River/Front
Chris Murphy, General Manger | Santa Cruz Warriors
Amanda Rotella, City of Santa Cruz | Library Mixed Use
Laura Bishop, Executive Director | 418 Project
Link to watch
Downtown Recovery | March 2 | Creative Economy
with MAH Director Robb Woulfe, Arts Council Santa Cruz County Director Jim Brown, and Santa Cruz Economic Development Arts Manager Kathryn Mintz
Link to watch
Downtown Recovery | February 2 | Lessons Learned from the Post-Earthquake Recovery
with Joe Ferrara, Atlantis Fantasy World, Ellen Gil, Sockshop & Shoe Co., Joe Hall, former Asst. Redevelopment Director, Cynthia Matthews, former Mayor, Larry Pearson, Pacific Cookie Company, and Patty Zoccoli, Zoccoli’s Deli
Link to watch
Recent Board Meeting Minutes
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
Note: Downtown Association Board Meetings or Subcommittee Meetings do not take place in December.
Programs of the Downtown Association
Downtown Dollars
Information Kiosk
Downtown Ambassador Program
Downtown Marketing
Holiday Events + Promotion
Anti-Harassment Policy
Downtown Association's Anti-Harassment Policy
Equity Work
Downtown Association's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitment