2030 Renewal of SPBID, Earlier Start, Begin Process in 2026
The South Park Business Improvement District (SPBID) Board of Directors voted at its December 10, 2025 meeting to begin the process to renew the BID’s charter early. The SPBID currently is set to expire in 2030, but Nolan Marshall, president of the SPBID, told the board he wanted to begin the process early to avoid trying to renew during the 2028 Olympics. The renewal process may take a year or longer. The last time the SPBID was renewed was 2023.
By California law, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are geographic areas where property owners and businesses pay extra fees (not taxes) to fund local enhancements, security and cleaning being the two major areas. The purpose is to boost economic vitality in the neighborhood.
The South Park BID is a 52-square block area with general boundaries of the 10 on the South, Figueroa to the west, Olympic to the north and Broadway to the east. Perhaps the South Park BID is most recognizable by the men and women in green and tan uniforms who clean the streets and sidewalks and the bicycle ambassadors who patrol the district.
As part of the renewal, the board authorized Marshall to enter into a contract of $79,869 with Urban Places, a consulting firm that handled the previous renewal.
The first phase of the renewal will begin the first of the year with the establishment of a steering committee and the beginning of stakeholder outreach which will include both residents and businesses. Be prepared to make your views known -- what should a renewed SPBID be doing?
Eventually there will be a mandatory petition drive that must indicate broad support among district property owners. The petition then goes to the City Council for approval and submission to district property owners for an up or down vote to renew. Votes are weighted according to the value of the property – property owners who have a large valuation – AEG as an example - have more votes than a smaller property such as a one-bedroom condo owner.
As a related activity the SPBID board also approved a contract with MIG, a firm related to Urban Places, for $72,640 to develop a strategic plan for South Park. That also will involve public meetings, charettes, and other means of consensus building. Again, this will provide the opportunity to express your opinions. SPNA will be asking for your opinion, will summarize your ideas, suggestions, and concerns, and provide feedback during the process.
By Debra Shrout