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 primary function of the Downtown Association is to promote Downtown Santa Cruz.
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.
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
Shiri Gradek, Marketing Partner
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
February 9
Finance Committee | Regular Update
Link to join
February 16
Board of Directors | February Meeting
Link to join
February 23
Marketing Committee | This Week Downtown + More!
Link to join
March 2
Downtown Recovery | Creative Economy with MAH Director Robb Woulfe
Link to join
Catch-up on Last Month!
Downtown Recovery | 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 Meeting Minutes
January 2021
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 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