A multi-year, post-pandemic effort to revitalize San Mateo’s downtown district is paying off, according to the Downtown San Mateo Association’s recent annual report.
The downtown business district has been in place since the 1980s, but the area has seen significant growth and stronger investment over the last several years, especially with the now-permanent pedestrian mall on B Street. The business district — which encompasses roughly 600 businesses, according to a recent City Council presentation — increased its fees, or assessments, for the first time several years ago after going unchanged for over a decade. The financial boost has continued to bolster community engagement events and entice more visitors to one of the Peninsula’s most built-out downtowns, said DSMA Executive Director Mackenzie Jakoubek.
“Downtown San Mateo is thriving as a regional destination,” Jakoubek said during a City Council meeting May 18.
The fees will stay the same for the upcoming fiscal year, which starts in July. Depending on the location and type of business, annual costs can range from $100 to more than $4,000. Retail businesses may pay up to anywhere from $100 to $1,500, depending on their location and annual gross receipts. Professional and service firms have fees based on their location and number of employees.
Jakoubek said the assessments have helped fund several of this past year’s events, like Boba Day, Jazz on B Street and Head West Marketplace. And despite rising costs hitting small businesses, the district had supported the opening of more than 50 new businesses — including arcade venues Nakoko and Clawesome and indoor playground Kiddo Adventure.
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Councilmembers were supportive of the association’s recent efforts. Councilmember Rob Newsom said he hopes to see more outreach to large technology and professional services companies.
“I think we should try to look, as both a city and DSMA, at approaching our office buildings, especially in the surrounding areas and try to continue to have outreach to them,” Newsom said during the meeting. “Even having events downtown during the week, like at lunch time, would be a great activity for businesses, and once they see what’s there, they’ll come back.”
The City Council unanimously supported the assessment schedule during its meeting.
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