Annual Report 2007

Now in our second year, helping to revitalize the community, the Castro/Upper Market Community Benefit District (CBD) is successfully moving forward with future planning as well as ongoing maintenance. Our top priorities continue to be keeping our District a clean, safe, cared-for community, where residents and visitors feel secure as they walk the streets and enjoy shopping, dining and meeting with friends. We are also fostering the economic vitality of the area and encouraging businesses to view our neighborhood as a great place to set up shop.

Some of our major efforts this year include:

• Partnering with our local merchants' group, Merchants of Upper Market & Castro (MUMC) to fund a Business Attraction Campaign for the District. Together with the expertise afforded by the SF. LGBT Community Center, this Campaign is proactively working to help fill commercial vacancies in the District. Due to the generosity of MUMC and the CBD's own in-kind funds, the Business Attraction Campaign was awarded a matching grant from the Mayor's Office. Our funding for the Campaign doubled and The Center has begun hiring an expert to assist property owners, fording the perfect tenant for their spaces. Any property owners who have questions about the Business Attraction Campaign can contact The Center's Director of Economic Development, Ken Stram, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Also, see Ken's article on page 5 of this Annual Report.

• Urban Ecology will be hired to work with the CBD membership and other community groups to develop a Streetscape Improvement Plan for our District. This plan will encompass potential improvements to all aspects of any public space in the District. Such improvements may include corner sidewalk bulb-outs, transit stops, sidewalk widening, and street furniture. Urban Ecology is a well respected firm which has effectively worked with both the Noe Valley CBD and the Central Market CBD. In addition, completing this type of plan is the first step towards qualifying for Federal and State grant monies to fund such improvements.

• As you will see in the CBD's financial statement on page 4 of this Report, we have accumulated over $200,000 in financial reserves. Much of that is earmarked to help finance the Streetscape Improvement Plan, along with grant funds from other sources.

• On Halloween 2006 we provided additional security for the District through our excellent contractor, the San Francisco Patrol Special Police. We will provide added security this Halloween as well.

• The CBD Board approved the allowed-for increase in your annual assessment this year, after declining it last year. The increase amounts to 3.4% and will be reflected on your December property tax bills.

• MJMManagement Group continues to provide extraordinary service for us as our maintenance contractor, power washing sidewalks, picking up trash, and removing graffiti. Maintenance crews wear blue vests with the CBD logo on the back and can also be noted by the blue/yellow carts on the street.

• A focus group was held in response to the marked decline of the Church/Market Street area. Many concerns and suggestions for improvement were raised by board members and property owners. An immediate tangible improvement from this process was the planting of new trees on the east side of Church Street between Duboce and Market Streets. Special thanks to Castro CBD Board Member, Safeway's Kimberley Daniels, for making that possible.

• The CBD has a regular presence at the newly formed city-wide CBDBID Consortium. This consortium is invaluable regarding issues that arise specific to CBDs.

• A part-time Executive Director, Andrea Aiello, has just been hired by the CBD. Andrea has worked with us this past year as our development contractor. Andrea will soon be calling on Board members, property owners and business owners to solicit your ideas and listen to your concerns. She also will be meeting with each of the Executive Directors for the other CBD'sBID's to learn about their successes. Two of Andrea's top objectives are to get the CBD's website up and running - the address is www.CastroCBD.org; and to send you a mid¬year report in 2008. Andrea is a consummate professional; we're thrilled to have her on board! She can be reached be email at Andrea This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call her at 650/355-1294.

Information about the next Upper Market Community Planning Workshop will be posted when it is available.

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Finally, thank you for voting the CBD into existence. We are making strides in improving our neighborhood and it is all due to your generosity. It is an exciting time for the CBD, so get involved, join our Board of Directors, and let your voice be heard.

Respectfully,
CastrolUpper Market Community Benefit District
Board of Directors