Community Benefit Improvement District 

The assessments for each parcel are based on a formula that considers four factors for each parcel: benefit zone, parcel size, parcel street frontage length and developed building square footage. As new building square footage is constructed, the assessment is recalculated based on the improvements. The assessments can be increased no more than 5% annually with approval from the Board of Directors.

When the District was formed, the property owners approved a 15-year term. At the end of that term, the property owners will once again vote to determine if the District should continue or not.

Keep your eye out for much more from the Redwood City Improvement Association, including new art installations, shade umbrellas on Courthouse Square, street waste-bag dispensers for our furry friends and new tree lights throughout the downtown District.

Since the formation of the Redwood City Improvement Association, the District has seen the implementation of weekly sidewalk cleaning, subsidized valet parking on Friday and Saturday nights, the creation of the Magic Lantern 3D Light Show at Courthouse Square, the installation of the sidewalk shadow art and more. 

There are five basic categories of special benefit services that will be funded by the downtown Redwood City Community Benefit Improvement District. These categories are:

1. Sidewalk Operations and Beautification;

2. District Identity;

3. Parking Management;

4. Program Management and Corporate Operations; and

5. Contingency/Reserve 15

Board members may prioritize these special benefits -- within the same category -- each year as needed. For example, sidewalk cleaning may be a priority one year, while beautification programs may take precedence another year. Both of these services fall within the same special benefit category.

The District, as shown in the map below, consists of 194 parcels of land that are all charged an assessment. The annual assessments range in value from $18 to $53,000.

- Catherine Ralston, Economic Development Manager, City of Redwood City – 650-780-7204, or cralston@redwoodcity.org

- Amy Buckmaster, Executive Director, Redwood City Improvement Association – 650-362-5017, or info@visitRWC.org