Property-Based/Business Improvement District Formation Consultant Services

The City of Santa Cruz (“City”) is considering proposals from firms specializing in the formation of Property- Based Improvement District (“PBID”) and Business Improvement District (“BID”) for the Midtown commercial district and analysis of potential district formation for the Westside commercial district.Proposers are encouraged to review the City of Santa Cruz’s Economic Development Strategy (Appendix A), Eastside Business Area Improvement Plan (Appendix B), and City of Santa Cruz General Plan (Appendix C) as background information. The project areas are highlighted in yellow boxes in the map attached as Appendix D. The project will be divided into three primary phases and an optional phase four: Phase 1 includes the initial assessment of feasibility for creating the PBID/BID for the Midtown commercial districtPhase 2 includes the analytical work required for reviewing and understanding the services, budget development, businesses/properties to be assessed, and quantifying the

general and special benefits for the Midtown Business District. Phase 3 includes the legal process to establish the PBID/BID for the Midtown Business District. Optional Phase 4: pre-feasibility data collection and analysis for the Westside commercial district.Phases 2-3 are contingent on successful completion and notice to proceed based on the results of Phase 1. Phase 4 is contingent on budget evaluation. BackgroundThe City of Santa Cruz (“City”) is considering proposals from firms specializing in the formation of Property-Based Improvement District (“PBID”) and Business Improvement District (“BID”) for the Midtown commercial district and analysis of potential district formation for the Westside commercial district. About Santa Cruz The City of Santa Cruz was incorporated in 1866 and formed its current charter in 1948. It is governed under a Council/Manager form of government. A Mayor and six Council members set policy for the City and a City Manager serves as chief administrator of those policies. The City is located on the coast, 75 miles south of San Francisco on the northern edge of the Monterey Bay. It encompasses 15.8 square miles with a population of approximately 65,000. Santa Cruz is part of the National Marine Sanctuary and is a popular tourist destination owing to its beaches, surf culture, and historical landmarks. The City provides a full range of municipal services and facilities including a recreational wharf, public golf course, over thirteen hundred acres of open space, full beach services, refuse management, law enforcement, fire protection, and water and wastewater utilities. The City is also host to University of California Santa Cruz, the Santa Cruz Harbor, and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk amusement park. About Midtown Santa Cruz Situated broadly East of the San Lorenzo River and bounded between Ocean and Morrisey Streets from West to East and Water Street and Broadway from North to South. Midtown has something for everyone. Home of the Rio Theatre, this walkable corridor features unique eateries, boutique retail, and a mix of visitor and resident serving establishments. Located in the middle of the district is a city-owned public parking lot that is home to Midtown Fridays, a popular summer event, with immense potential for year-round activation with the addition of infrastructure upgrades. About Westside Santa Cruz The Westside commercial district broadly spans the area of Mission Street from Laurel Street to Swift Street as a main arterial commercial corridor with resident and visitor serving eating and drinking establishments, retail strip and shopping centers, as well as service businesses. The district spills over into a thriving food and beverage manufacturing area zoned for light industrial that includes a mix of restaurants, retail, wineries, breweries, distilleries, bakeries, and some office and other industrial users.TimelineRelease Project Date:March 1, 2024RFP Questions and Clarification Due Date:March 14, 2024, 3:00pmProposal Submission Deadline:March 29, 2024, 3:00pm