In so many ways, the Tenderloin is truly the heart of the great City of San Francisco. This spirit was epitomized when over 60 community leaders and property owners came together to form the North of Market/Tenderloin Community Benefit District in 2004. Property owners, individual condo owners, business owners, non-profit housing organizations, residents, representatives from the tourism industry as well adovcates for the homeless worked collaboratively to establish this truly remarkable joint enterprise, in an open and transparent process.

At a meeting attended by over 30 community leaders and property owners, held on March 30, 2004 at the Original Joe’s Restaurant, a  Management District Plan for the CBD was unanimously adopted.  To move the formation forward, petitions demonstrating to the City and County of San Francisco that substantial support existed among property owners were circulated. Sufficient support was garnered and balloting was conducted to establish the district with 65.35% of the weighted property owners in the district voting in favor of the formation of the the North of Market/Tenderloin Community Benefit District.

The ultimate goal of the North of Market/Tenderloin CBD is to provide consistent cleaning and beautification and safety services to the historic Tenderloin district. The assessements collected by the North of Market/Tenderloin CBD are controlled by the property owners and community members themselves.  A  non-profit management corporation, to administer the funds of the district, formed in October 2005 along with an Interim Board of Directors comprised of 22 stake-holders including property owners, residents and business operators. Officers of the Interim Management Board were elected September 15, 2005.

The Interim Board adopted policies for a committee structure and established committees to perform the work of the Management Corporation. A bylaws committee was formed and bylaws were completed and an application for non-profit exemption was filed. Polices were adopted regarding Conflicts of Interest, Decision Making, Hardship and Open Meetings.

The Interim Board hired a District Manager to conduct the daily administration of the District and contracted with S.F. Clean City to preform the cleaning services in the District. Cleaning services began in early February on receipt of the first disbursement of assessments. On July 6, 2006 elections were held at the Annual Meeting for permanent Board members. The new permanent Board is comprised  of fifteen (15) members, including nine (9) property owners; three (3) business tenants; three (3) residents and one at large member (floating). New officers were elected.

Many non-board members serve on the various committees of the Community Benefit Corp. We believe this reflects the high level of interest and committment  by the community to the work and goals of the Community Benefit District for the improvement and vitalization of the Tenderloin. The North of Market/Tenderloin CBD is committed to confronting and meeting the challenges of making our neighborhood a great place to live, work, and visit.