Downtown Public Improvement District extended for another 10-year term
Published on September 21, 2023
Public Improvement District maintains and enhances downtown San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO (September 21, 2023) — Today, the San Antonio City Council approved the reauthorization of the Downtown Public Improvement District (PID) to provide maintenance, beautification, and landscaping; hospitality ambassador services; and programs and other services such as the marketing and promotion of downtown, community events and programs, and economic development for downtown businesses. Centro will provide these services for another 10-year term with Council’s re-establishment of the PID. The Downtown PID term runs October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2033. The City contracts with Centro San Antonio for the core services and improvements within the PID, and City Council also approved the extension of Centro’s PID management contract.
As the Downtown PID manager, Centro’s primary responsibility is maintaining and enhancing the downtown experience. Operating 24/7, year-round, Centro’s ambassadors, often seen downtown in bright yellow shirts greeting residents and visitors, are committed to making downtown San Antonio one of the cleanest urban centers.
“Downtown San Antonio encompasses the most iconic, exciting and historic locations in our city,” said Sukh Kaur, District 1 Councilmember. “The services provided by Centro are essential to ensuring our downtown is a vibrant and welcoming place for locals and visitors. I thank Centro for their hard work and commitment, with a special thank you to their ambassadors for always being a friendly face downtown. I am also pleased that this year’s Special Assessment provides a rate reduction for downtown residents with a homestead exemption.”
This year’s assessment is $0.15 per $100 of valuation for commercial properties and $0.045 per $100 of valuation for residential condominiums that have a homestead exemption. This is a decrease from $0.09 per $100 of valuation from previous years. The assessment remains at $0.09 per $100 of valuation for residential condominiums that do not have a homestead exemption.
Funding for the core services and improvements within the PID is presented annually to City Council for consideration as part of the annual Service and Assessment Plan. The Fiscal Year 2024 Service and Assessment Plan reflects a total budget of approximately $7 million. The sources of funding include private assessments paid by property owners within the specified PID boundaries (approximately $5.6 million); the City’s contribution of approximately $600,000 based on the value of City-owned properties in the PID; a voluntary contribution from CPS Energy valued at $64,000; approximately $300,000 from VIA Metropolitan Transit; and other voluntary assessments, grants, and interest.
“We’re thrilled to see that our partners across our city have spoken and have granted us this opportunity that continues our ability to serve and cultivate downtown San Antonio,” said Trish DeBerry, CEO and President of Centro San Antonio. “Our gratitude goes beyond just the partners that made this possible but extends immensely to our ambassadors who serve as an invaluable resource, day to day, as the face of Centro.”
The Downtown Public Improvement District was established in 1999 and the City has contracted with Centro San Antonio since its establishment. A primary component of the annual budget is the continuation of the Ambassador Program and the clean and safe operations.
“These services are critical to the success of the center city. The ambassadors are the most recognized presence in our downtown and for our visitors and residents,” said Lori Houston, Assistant City Manager for the City of San Antonio. “The extension of the PID and the contract with Centro will further establish our downtown as one of the premier destinations for conferences and leisure travel and will facilitate more residents in downtown San Antonio. We are proud to continue our partnership with Centro.”
To learn more and view a map of the Downtown PID, see the Fiscal Year 2024 Service and Assessment Plan.