Downtown Sacramento Partnership

What Downtown Sacramento Partnership does

Downtown Sacramento Partnership (DSP) is a private, not-for-profit Property Based Improvement District (PBID) established in 1995 as the first PBID in California. The organization manages a 66-block district in downtown Sacramento spanning from the waterfront to 16th Street and H to N streets, encompassing 490 parcels, over 7.28 million square feet of land, and over 25.27 million square feet of buildings across seven sub-districts: Civic Center, Old Sacramento Waterfront, The Kay, Capitol Mall, Entertainment District, Theater District, and Railyards. DSP operates with 11-50 employees and an annual operating budget of $5.7 million, funded primarily through PBID property assessments on district parcels (53% of budget) supplemented by service contracts, special events and sponsorships, and grants.

DSP's service portfolio spans four functional areas: public space services (cleaning, graffiti removal, pressure washing, trash pickup, Safe Streets patrols, Downtown Guides, and homeless outreach via Downtown Resource Coordinators); economic and business development (Calling All Dreamers incubator, Grand Opening Assistance, Downtown Vacancy Map, Development Map, and resource partnerships with SCORE, SBDC, and BERC); events (10+ signature events including Concerts in the Park, Dine Downtown, Downtown Ice Rink, Theatre of Lights, and Farmers' Markets attracting 500,000+ attendees annually); and policy and advocacy addressing housing, development, homelessness, and public safety. The related Downtown Sacramento Foundation serves as the charitable 501(c)(3) arm supporting programs such as Calling All Dreamers and the Chinatown Square Illumination Project. DSP leverages standard web and digital tools (no proprietary technology stack) and pursues partnerships with government agencies, the Sacramento Police Department, the District Attorney's Office, the Oakland Athletics, and Visit Sacramento to extend its operational impact.

Name

Downtown Sacramento Partnership

Legal name

Downtown Sacramento Partnership

Website

https://downtownsac.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Downtown Sacramento Partnership is a nonprofit Property Based Improvement District managing a 66-block district in downtown Sacramento through property assessments, providing cleaning, safety, events, business development, and advocacy services to property owners, businesses, and visitors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Improvement District Services

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310)

SIC

Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531), Non-Operating Establishments (9995), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Real Estate Public-Private Partnership (PPP) & Infrastructure-Adjacent Real Estate Advisory (BPAJANAL)

Keywords

• Property-based improvement district
• Urban district management
• Business improvement services
• Public space maintenance
• Economic development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. PBID Property Assessment: Primary funding source from property assessments on the 490 parcels within the 66-block district. Represents 53% of total operating budget. The management district encompasses over 7,283,289 square feet of land and 25,274,842 square feet of buildings.
2. Service Contracts: Contracts for specific services including public space management and maintenance.
3. Special Events and Sponsorships: Revenue from events produced by the organization and corporate sponsorships of signature events.
4. Grants: Grant funding supporting various programs and initiatives.

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Downtown Sacramento Partnership operates a Property Based Improvement District (PBID) managing a 66-block area of downtown Sacramento. It delivers urban management services including clean and safe operations, signature event production, business recruitment and incubation, and policy advocacy. The organization is funded primarily through property assessments on 490 parcels within the district, supplemented by service contracts, event sponsorships, and grants.

Product overview

Downtown Sacramento Partnership is a private, not-for-profit Property Based Improvement District (PBID) established in 1995, dedicated to cultivating a thriving downtown district where culture, commerce, and community converge. The organization operates a portfolio of signature events including Concerts In The Park (free Friday night music festival May-June), Dine Downtown (January culinary promotion), Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink (holiday-season skating), Movies Under the Stars (October outdoor screenings), Sunset Sips (Wednesday happy hour program), Theatre of Lights (K Street holiday production), Capitol Mall Farmers' Markets, Bodega Market, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and State of Downtown annual breakfast. Business development programs include Calling All Dreamers (brick-and-mortar business incubator with up to $20,000 cash prizes), Grand Opening Assistance, and a suite of resource tools including the Downtown Vacancy Map (interactive commercial real estate finder) and Development Map (project opportunity tracker). Operational services encompass Public Space Services (cleaning, safety patrols, homeless outreach) and Event Coordination Services. The organization manages a 66-block district encompassing 490 parcels and serves approximately 400,000 engaged digital community members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Calling All Dreamers: Business incubator boot camp program that assists entrepreneurs in building out their business plan and finding potential storefront locations in Downtown Sacramento. Helps entrepreneurs develop and launch businesses with workshop programs and mentorship.

Products and services

• Concerts In The Park Sacramento's largest and longest-running free outdoor music festival held every Friday from May through June in Downtown Plaza Park at 910 I Street, running 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM. Attracts thousands of visitors weekly as the region's premier summer music series.
• Dine Downtown Annual dining promotion every January featuring curated three-course meals by top Sacramento chefs for $45 per person, showcasing the city's culinary scene and driving foot traffic to downtown restaurants.
• Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink Seasonal outdoor ice skating rink offering holiday-season recreation for friends and families, located in the downtown core. Operates during the winter holiday period.
• Movies Under the Stars Outdoor movie screening series held Thursday and Friday nights in October featuring Halloween-themed films in Old Sacramento State Historic Park.
• Sunset Sips Weekly happy hour promotion every Wednesday from July through September featuring $5, $7, and $9 drink specials at downtown bars and restaurants, encouraging mid-week social activity.
• Theatre of Lights Annual holiday theatrical production presenting a uniquely Sacramento retelling of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas displayed on the rooftops of historic K Street buildings.
• Capitol Mall Farmers' Markets Certified Farmers' Market held every Wednesday during summer on Capitol Mall, featuring fresh local produce and artisan goods for downtown workers and visitors.
• Calling All Dreamers Downtown Sacramento's brick-and-mortar business incubator boot camp assisting entrepreneurs in developing business plans and identifying storefront locations. The program selects ten business concepts annually to participate in workshops covering marketing, HR, financing, permitting, and investor pitching. Top concepts can receive up to $20,000 in cash plus in-kind services valued at $100,000, with requirement to sign a lease in the downtown district within one year.
• Grand Opening Assistance Program assisting new downtown businesses with grand opening coordination, including sidewalk cleaning, ribbon and scissors provision, DSP representative speaking (when available), media advice, and social media promotion through the DSP newsletter.
• Downtown Vacancy Map Interactive map tool displaying available commercial storefronts and office spaces within downtown's six districts (The Kay, Civic Center, Old Sacramento, Capitol Mall, Entertainment District, Theatre District), with details on location, square footage, use type, and rent for prospective tenants.
• Development Map Interactive map and roadmap showcasing recently completed and in-progress development projects throughout the central city, highlighting billions of dollars in investment opportunities and emerging sites for development.
• Event Support & Toolkits Resources for event producers including downloadable toolkits for hosting events in specific downtown locations (Ali Youssefi Square, Plaza Park/Cesar Chavez, Old Sacramento Waterfront Embarcadero, 1849 Scene), plus assistance with permits, grant funding, and event coordination.
• Business Resources Directory of local business resources including BERC (Business Environmental Resource Center) for permit assistance, SCORE for mentorship, Sacramento Valley SBDC for consulting, City of Sacramento Economic Development resources, California Competes Tax Credit information, and Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at CSUS.
• Public Space Services Maintenance and safety services including graffiti removal, trash pickup, pressure washing of sidewalks and alleys, Downtown Guides (concierge/ambassador services), Safe Streets patrol, and Navigator homeless outreach program in partnership with the city's Department of Community Response.
• Event Coordination Services Event production and consultation services for coordinating, permitting, and executing events in downtown parks and public spaces. DSP's signature events attract more than 500,000 people annually.
• Policy & Advocacy Government relations and advocacy efforts addressing housing, development, homelessness solutions, and public safety through collaboration with city, county, and state officials to shape policies affecting downtown's future.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500,000+ annual attendees attracted to Downtown Sacramento through signature events
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• California State Railroad Museum FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Collaborated on the iconic waterfront sign project at the California State Railroad Museum, contributing to the visual landmark greeting visitors on Interstate 5.
• Visit SacramentominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Contributed funding to the Old Sacramento Waterfront iconic sign project and works together on regional tourism promotion.
• Downtown Sacramento FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Downtown Sacramento Foundation (DSF) is the charitable 501(c)(3) arm of the organization that develops programs for cultural arts, beautification, and community assistance. DSF funds Calling All Dreamers, placemaking projects, and Chinatown Square Illumination. Both organizations share leadership and mission alignment.
• SCOREcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNonprofit providing free business mentorship through 11,000+ volunteer executives. Pairs with Calling All Dreamers participants as business mentors during the bootcamp program.
• Sacramento Valley SBDCcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSmall Business Development Center providing consulting and training across eight counties. Referenced as key resource for downtown entrepreneurs.
• Business Environmental Resource Center (BERC)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFree one-stop-shop permit assistance helping Sacramento County businesses understand and comply with environmental regulations and health department requirements.
• City of Sacramento Economic Development DepartmentcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerResources for starting, expanding, or relocating businesses in Sacramento. DSP refers businesses for city-level support and permits.
• Carlsen Center for Innovation & EntrepreneurshipminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCSU Sacramento center providing new venture incubator services, business resources, and student internships. Available as resource for downtown entrepreneurs.
• Friends of Sacramento Chinatown SquareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership for the Chinatown Square Illumination Project - a community-driven effort to reinvest in Sacramento's historic Chinatown through lighting and public realm improvements.
• California Competes Tax Credit ProgramminorOthersState of California income tax credit program for businesses. DSP directs businesses to GO-Biz for potential tax credit opportunities.
• City of Sacramento - Department of Community ResponsecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with the city's homeless outreach initiative. Downtown Resource Coordinators utilize a mobile Resource Center to assist people experiencing homelessness, unifying outreach efforts between city, county, and community organizations.
• Sacramento Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership funds a dedicated downtown community prosecutor and coordinates security efforts through the Safe Streets team and email alert system.
• District Attorney's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunds dedicated downtown community prosecutor position that addresses nuisance activity including panhandling, public inebriation, graffiti, and prosecutes offenders.
• Oakland Athletics / Sutter Health ParkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA's x DowntownSac partnership promoting baseball games at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, driving visitors to downtown restaurants and bars before and after games.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Old Pasadena Management District: California-based PBID managing the historic Old Pasadena commercial district with maintenance, marketing, and events — same California PBID Act of 1994 framework as DSP, smaller scale historic-district focus analogous to Old Sacramento Waterfront.
• Portland Business Alliance: Portland's central city business association and PBID-like entity managing downtown services including cleaning, safety, advocacy, and business development — closest operational analog to DSP in the Pacific Northwest.
• Downtown San Diego Partnership: California-based downtown partnership providing maintenance, safety, homelessness outreach, marketing, and economic development services to downtown property owners and businesses — directly comparable BID operating model and California regulatory context.
• Chicago Loop Alliance: Special Service Area (SSA) organization — Illinois's PBID equivalent — providing cleaning, safety, marketing, and economic development for Chicago's Loop. Directly comparable district-management model funded by commercial property assessments.
• Greater Pittsburgh Business Association / Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership: Pittsburgh's downtown management organization delivering clean/safe, economic development, and signature events including market series — comparable post-industrial mid-size city PBID/BID operating structure.
• Downtown Denver Partnership: Downtown business improvement district organization managing Denver's central business district with clean & safe, economic development, marketing, and advocacy services — same operational model as DSP's PBID framework, scaled to a comparable mid-sized state capital.
• Downtown Seattle Association: Downtown Seattle's BID organization providing cleaning, ambassador/safety patrols, economic development, marketing, and policy advocacy — comparable service mix and budget scale to Sacramento PBID.
• DTLA Alliance: Large downtown partnership in Los Angeles delivering district management, public safety, homeless outreach, and economic development — same California PBID/BID regulatory framework, larger footprint than DSP, directly comparable service portfolio.

Others

• International Downtown Association: Industry trade association representing place-management organizations including BIDs, PBIDs, and downtown partnerships globally. Not a competitor, but the standard-setting and peer-network body for organizations operating under the same model as DSP.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/downtownsac
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/DowntownSac95814
• Facebookfacebook.com/GoDowntownSac
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/downtown-sacramento-partnership
• Instagraminstagram.com/downtownsac
• TikToktiktok.com/@downtownsac

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Downtown Sacramento Partnership