Impact

our Annual Reports

2020 Annual Report → 

2019 Annual Report → 

2018 Annual Report → 

2017 Annual Report → 

2016 Annual Report → 

2015 Annual Report → 

Budget information can be found in the reports along with information about our programs.

The District is focused on Engaging, promoting and connecting Jack London

• 1,200+ Receive Monthly Newsletters

• 1,390 Property owners and Tenants Receive Annual Report

• 1,014 Invited to Neighborhood Crime Prevention Meetings

• 84 Have attended NCPC Meetings

• 12,000+ Social Media Audience

• 72 Business Owners in Monthly Retailer Coffee Communication

• 22 Active Participants in Current Projects

• 550 Have Attended Panel Talks

• 3,000+ Have Attended Annual National Night Out Party

• 2017 Sales tax revenue up 4.1% over 2016

Budget by Service Category 2019

Our Achievements by areas of Work

Cleaning and Safety

• Addressing longtime blight sites through Graffiti buffing and commissions of murals and building art at key sites

• Cleaned and consolidated record number of illegal dumping sites

• Tracking blight-contributing under-freeway parking lots.

• Design and installation of Jack London- Branded “Curb Theft” signage with NCPC funds

Marketing and Economic Development

• Bringing Art to District: Collaborated with arts organization to secure $200K grant funding to successfully put on “Museum of Capitalism”, an innovative temporary art space activation of unprecedented scale, involving 80 artists, gaining national press and bringing estimated 10K visitors to the District.

• Encouraging exploration of the District: Two wayfinding projects now underway, developed in coordination with businesses and residents- both formal signage and “Tactical Urbanism” trail systems promoting identity and themes of District: Wine, Beer, Coffee, Art based on retailer input.

• Improved visibility for Jack London: BART Station area improvements- all southbound exits labeled “Jack London” (Previously signed “Chinatown/Laney/Courthouse) and citywide marketing collateral

• Mitigation of construction impact including signage and parking enforcement to protect affected small businesses

• Improved Business support as core 2017 focus through participation in City’s Small Business Task Force and monthly Jack London coffee/network meetings initiated December 2016

• Co-Hosted Small Business Finance Breakfast with TMC Financing

• Participated in Citywide Small Business Week- (Everett & Jones and Mr. Espresso awarded legacy Business Award)

• National Night Out- over 20 Jack London businesses and community groups participated

• Initiated or partnered with the following marketing campaigns to increase visibility for Jack London businesses:

  • Oakland Restaurant Week

  • Valentines’ Day

  • Amtrak Photo Competition with Jack London Rewards

  • Park(ing) Day

  • Pedalfest- Business Participation through event at Square

  • Ride Report App (Rewards for cyclists entering area designated by geo-fence)

  • Bay Day Merchant Collaboration

  • Plaid Friday

Government and Community Relations

• Facilitated community meetings and successfully advocated for project entitlements before Planning Commission and Design Review Committee: CIM’s Broadway and Alice Street residential development sites and more

• Facilitated Jack London-specific Community meetings for the continuing Oakland Alameda Access Project

• Worked with City and other partner sponsors of the B Shuttle to create branded bus and updated marketing collateral, and to locate two Ford GoBike Stations within District

• Participant in City’s “Walk this Way” RFP addressing Broadway/Webster improvements, served on Selection Committee to select winning team of 18 applicants

• Joined with coalition of business partners to advocate on issues related to cleanliness and safety related to encampments in public right-of-way

• District featured in Berkeleyside, SF Business Times, promoting Jack London business and development activity

• Hosted public Panel Talks on District-pertinent issues including “A Ballpark for Everyone” with record attendance and coverage in SF Business Times

• Guest Speaker at HOA meetings providing presentations on District Activities

• More About the District

Information about Assessment Increases

In July 2019, the Board will consider a 5% increase in the annual assessment for the 2020-21 tax year as is outlined in the Management District Plan.  This assessment is the primary source of revenue for our Business Improvement District and it has the unique benefit to its stakeholders that the dollars can be spent solely in our District. The District has experienced increased demand for services, and increased cost of delivering  services.  

Since initiation of operations, the District has incurred significant cost increases, such as the minimum wage increase due to Measure FF (Lift Up Oakland), office rent, and trash removal.  The 5% assessment increase is projected to increase the District's budget by approximately $45K. The District’s fixed costs which include a labor contract with our team of cleaning and safety Ambassadors, garbage collection, and rent, which represent 65% of the annual budget, is expected to increase 7% next year, by $42K. Other costs are expected to increase commensurate with the CPI. Therefore, even with the 5% increase in 2016/2017, maintaining the same level of service and delivering special improvement projects, continues to require increased efficiency.

The District’s services have also broadened since initiation. Since the increase in Waste Management service fees, there has been a notable increase in illegal dumping and overflow throughout the District, which has caused additional strain on cleaning services. As more businesses have come to the District and activity increases, the District has also taken on a broader range of economic development and hospitality services as has been demanded by stakeholders—for example, providing coverage 7 days a week whereas the District was formed envisioning just 5 days a week. The District also provides support for burgeoning businesses as they navigate the process of establishing in Jack London. The work has paid off; Sales tax revenue increased last year 7.9% over the previous year and vacancies are being filled.

This is all good news in alignment with District mission, and requires the District to keep pace with the demands of growth.

The Board of Directors takes their responsibility of stewardship of resources of our constituents, local businesses and residents seriously.  Therefore, we are seeking your input to make sure that resources are applied to achieve the best and highest impact.  Please continue share your ideas, thoughts, and questions with Staff and the Board of Directors on this and other matters by email info@jacklondonoakland.org, phone (510) 267-0858, or in-person at 333 Broadway (at 4th Street).

The Board of Directors meets monthly on each second Monday of the month at 5:00PM at 472 Water Street. Annual meeting of the Board of Directors is Second Monday in November. Information on meetings and District events is available at https://jacklondonoakland.org/meetings You are invited to our Annual event and National Night Out, August 7th from 6-8PM, celebrating Jack London’s vibrant businesses, organizations, and terrific neighbors.

Testimonials

Just wanted to compliment the Ambassadors and the work they did on the sidewalk—it looks gorgeous, like Oakland SHOULD LOOK!

-Bob Rosen, Business and Property Owner, 4th&Castro

Thank you for all you have accomplished and for all good you provide to our neighborhood. You and your contributions are much appreciated.  
-GS, Resident

My wife and I have lived in the District for 15 years, and own two businesses, the visible difference that the ambassadors have made is like night and day.

-Chris Pastena, Owner Chop Bar

Great resource for local businesses and the District in general. They've really helped us with the coordination involved in getting the Jack London Brewing District off the ground.

-Aram Cretan, Federation Brewing

I love the hands on involvement from all JLID team members

-Jennifer N, Portobello

 Thank you very much for putting together such an informative panel [A Ballpark for Everyone] I…can only guess at the effort that went into making that happen so bravo for doing so!  And thank you for including me!

-Helen S, Resident

Let me just say I love the Ambassadors. My very first day moving into the District, I was unloading furniture from the moving van and an Ambassador welcomed me to Jack London and offered help! That was the first welcome I got to the neighborhood.

-MR, Phoenix Lofts

I forgot to thank you last month for the prompt response to cleaning up the parking lot next door to our client’s building at 3r​ d​ St. and Webster. Our client called the following week to thank us for getting action on the trash. It’s great to know the JLID can be so helpful.

-Don M., Business Owner

They [the Jack London Improvement District] just ROCK!!! They have helped me out so so many times over the past 2 years with all kinds of things I needed. I can not thank them enough.

-Jackie Gallanagh, Business Owner, Slainte

That was great! That was one of our busiest days ever. Thanks to everyone who helped put it together, and let's for sure do this kind of thing again. That's TEAMWORK!

It was awesome! I saw deep lines at every brewery which was amazing to see.

-Brewers from the Jack London Brewing District after a collaborative Brewery Crawl event