FAQ

A Business Improvement District is a defined area wherein property owners are self-assessed to fund services that improve the overall quality of life for residents and visitors. These services supplement those provided by the City and can include additional cleaning and safety measures, advocacy, beautification, marketing and a variety of other services that go above and beyond to promote this important area. The Union Square BID was the first and is now the largest of the City’s existing property-based business improvement districts. We work collaboratively with the City, community, and our members to support Union Square.

A lively 27-block community surrounding Union Square Park in the heart of San Francisco makes up the Union Square BID. It is generally bordered on the north by Bush Street, on the east by Kearny Street, on the south by Market Street and on the west by Taylor Street. Within this service area there are 600 parcels, which include both public and private ownership.

The Union Square Alliance (The Alliance), formerly the Union Square Business Improvement District (USBID) was founded in 1999 and focused primarily on providing clean and safety services. In recognizing the need for increased levels of cleaning and safety services, the Alliance expanded its district boundaries and service levels during its renewal in 2019. A list of the Alliance’s current level of services can be found below. Apart from its clean and safe services, the Union Square Alliance also offers destination marketing, advocacy, beautification, and capital improvement programs to enhance the experience of the Union Square area and contribute to a safer and more vibrant community.

• Cleaning Ambassadors provide the following services: excessive trash pick-up, hazardous waste removal, address illegal dumping, graffiti removal, overnight street vacuum, overnight pressure washing, and sidewalk stain removal.
• Hospitality Ambassadors provide the following services: address quality of life issues, provide safety escorts, and provide business visits.
• Member Services Representatives respond to cleaning and safety requests via phone, and email 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Private Security Patrols on duty between 2pm–10pm and 10pm–6am daily to address quality of life issues and observe and report suspicious activities to the San Francisco Police Department.
• San Francisco Police Department 10B officers are on duty for the Alliance for 16 hours daily, 7am-3p and 3p-11p. The officer mitigates crime, responds to request from members and ensures enforcement of laws including quality of life matters
• Member Services Representatives respond to cleaning, safety, and video requests via phone, and email 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To report cleaning and safety issues please contact 415-781-4456 or [email protected]. To request video retrievals please email [email protected]

The Alliance is governed by a 23 member board of directors made up of the property and business owners and other stakeholders representing a variety of businesses in Union Square. All major measures are voted on by the Board of Directors, then given to the Alliance staff to implement. The Alliance also follows a Management Plan and contract with the City and County of San Francisco.

The Alliance has several advisory committees to help provide ongoing stewardship of the district. Businesses are welcome to participate in any of the committees to share their expertise and passion for Union Square. The committees are as follows: MarketinG, Public Affairs, Services & Public Safety, Retail Theft Prevention, Streetscapes & Public Realm, Finance & Audit.

Please contact [email protected] if you would like to get involved in the mentioned advisory committees.

Partnership with City agencies is instrumental to the Alliance’s mission and success. Members receive supplemental benefits provided by the Alliance above and beyond baseline City cleaning and safety services. The Alliance also works hand in hand with the City in order to represent, organize and advocate on behalf of the stakeholders of Union Square. 

The Alliance is funded through a self-assessed tax on the property owners of Union Square that is administered by the City Tax Assessor’s Office through property tax bills. The Alliance’s budget is published in our Annual Report submitted to the City of San Francisco. Per the Alliance’s management plan with the City of San Francisco and property owners the budget is allocated 71% to clean and safe services, 14% to management and administration and 15% to streetscapes, advocacy, events and destination marketing and 10% can be transferred from one programmatic area to another.

The City and County of San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in support of the Union Square BID’s renewal on July 9, 2019. 84.87% was the final vote count by Union Square BID property owners. We are humbled by the immense support. Thank you everyone for participating in this crucial process for our community.

To report or request service needs to the Alliance’s Member Services, contact a representative at 415-781-4456 or by email at [email protected] and our dedicated Alliance staff will respond quickly and your requests will be responded to within 45 minutes.

You can also download the free Union Square Everyday App to request cleaning/maintenance and report an incident.