Neighborhood Updates, December SPBID Board Meeting

   New board member positions, plans for early renewal of the South Park Business Improvement District (SPBID), proposed 11th street pedestrianization plan, Social District Foundation funding, and presentation by The Gaia Box co-founder and CEO were on the agenda of the SPBID’s December board meeting.

·      SPBID Board Nominations

§  Daniel Amar is the newly elected board member. Daniel is a Development & Asset Management Associate with Bridger Land Group.

§  Susan Shum, current board treasurer, was voted in as president by the current board. Susan is the Chief Philanthropy Officer for the California Hospital Medical Center Foundation, 1514 S. Grand.

·      SPBID Renewal

§  See related article in the SPNA January newsletter.

·      11th Street Pedestrianization Master Plan

§  The SPBID entered into a contract with MIG, Inc. to develop a master plan to transform 11thstreet into a pedestrian-priority street.

§  SPBID Executive Director promises more details for the February SPNA Scene.

·      Social District Foundation Funding

§  Recently the SPBID created a Social District Foundation  (501C3). Dave Gordon, out-going SPBID president, will head up the foundation.

§  The agenda item on Funding of the Foundation was tabled.

·      The Gaia Box co-founder and CEO, James Hendeson[JF1] , presented to the SPBID board.

§  The company’s patented system captures the energy of flowing water used in irrigation of planters/living walls,  turning it into usable power for lighting, for example.

§  Since downtown has issues with lighting due to copper thefts, this system might allow for irrigation for plants and lighting. At least one residential building in South Park was interested in learning more.

·      Executive Board reports were not presented. One-page reports were provided to the board members.

·      Public Comment – a question about a security initiative with SPNA regarding a pilot project linking public-facing cameras with a monitoring system for 90 days to determine nuisance,  other crimes, and ability to deter nuisance activities is still under discussion.

·      The next SPBID board meeting is Wednesday, February 2026 [JF2] at 10 am at the SPBID Office on Hope at 12th Street.

By Debra Shrout