The "Ballpark District" seeks a qualified district management company ("Management Company") to oversee and administer special benefit services within a newly created Subdistrict of the Downtown San Diego Partnership Property and Business Improvement District (PBID). These services include enhanced maintenance, such as frequent power washing and litter removal, dedicated security coordination, placemaking initiatives, business outreach, and tailored communication with stakeholders to ensure a clean, safe, and vibrant environment. The Ballpark District will operate as a subdistrict of the Downtown San Diego Partnership's PBID and is funded through property assessment dollars. The Board of Directors ("Board") of the Ballpark District Community Partnership will determine the selected Management Company, which will report to the Board.

Background:

The Ballpark District Community Partnership is a 501©(4) non-profit organization established to transform the area within its boundaries into a world-class live sports and entertainment district. This initiative represents the next phase of growth for the area, focusing on enhanced cleanliness, safety, and vibrancy. The goal is to create a sub-district that benefits property owners by increasing property values, making it an attractive place for business investment, and drawing visitors to live, work, and play.

Experience and Qualifications:

The ideal respondent will demonstrate:

• Proven experience managing urban improvement districts or equivalent organizations.
• Ability to collaborate with non-profit boards and governmental agencies.
• Knowledge of assessment district laws and Proposition 218 requirements.
• Strong communication skills to interact with stakeholders, property owners, businesses, and city officials.
• Expertise in urban management, including maintenance, security, and placemaking.
• Experience in budget preparation and financial reporting.
• Familiarity with the Downtown San Diego Partnership and ability to work collaboratively with Clean and Safe.
• Demonstrated ability to implement and manage diverse district services effectively.

Scope of Work:

The selected Management Company will be instrumental in the successful operation and enhancement of the Ballpark District (See Attachment A for District map). Responsibilities include adhering to all relevant operating agreements with the City of San Diego and the Downtown San Diego Partnership, ensuring compliance with city regulations regarding wages and other standards, and finding efficiencies in collaboration with the Downtown San Diego Partnership to streamline costs. The selected entity will strictly adhere to the Ballpark District's rules, regulations and required flow downs. The goal is to establish the Ballpark District as a world-class destination that is clean, safe and vibrant. The selected Management Company will also be responsible for managing and supervising subcontractors to ensure high-quality service delivery. The Ballpark District Manager's responsibilities will not include maintenance or security within privately owned businesses or properties, or park maintenance.

Additional Initiatives:

• Developing and implementing seasonal decorations and lighting initiatives.
• Spearheading street beautification projects, including landscaping improvements and aesthetic enhancements to public spaces.
• Coordinating and supervising graffiti removal.
• Recommending marketing ideas to activate the Ballpark District, including those geared around highlighting baseball.

Administrative Duties:

• Launching the new district and communicating with property owners. This includes establishing a clear operational framework, onboarding service providers, hosting initial stakeholder meetings, developing service schedules, and creating a comprehensive communication plan to inform property owners about the district's goals, services, and standards.
• Developing and managing annual budgets.
• Preparing financial reports and ensuring fiscal responsibility.
• Overseeing Board meetings and ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements.
• Pursuing additional funding sources to enhance services.

Maintenance and Safety Services:

• Power washing, litter control, trash collection, graffiti removal, human and pet waste removal, and tree trimming.
• Making recommendations on equipment needs to enhance operational efficiency and service quality.
• Creating comprehensive plans for trash removal and human and pet waste management, ensuring trash bins and waste stations are frequently emptied to prevent overflow and maintain cleanliness. These services must meet specific benchmarks, including weekly power washing of high-traffic areas, daily litter control sweeps, and timely trash collection to maintain cleanliness. Tree trimming schedules should be conducted as needed to ensure safety and aesthetics.
• Overseeing subcontractors responsible for providing these services and ensuring compliance with established performance standards.
• Coordinating with Clean and Safe for seamless integration of services.
• Managing security contracts and establishing response standards for incidents.
• Monitoring service quality and addressing issues promptly.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Attending community meetings and maintaining open communication with stakeholders.
• Collaborating with business owners to develop and implement a maintenance campaign that promotes shared responsibility for the Ballpark District's upkeep and appearance.
• Promoting district identity and placemaking efforts to enhance the area's vibrancy.

Operational Oversight:

• Procuring and managing office space for Ballpark District operations, ensuring it supports efficient management and community engagement.
• Coordinating with the City and Clean and Safe to ensure baseline service agreements are being met.
• Ensuring the availability of essential amenities such as dog waste bags.
• Supervising contractors and staff to deliver high-quality services.

Labor Requirements:

• As applicable, the selected Management Company must adhere to the City of San Diego's Living Wage Ordinance. Payroll reports for all employees working on the contract will be required to ensure compliance. Confidential employee information may be redacted. Non-compliance will result in the Management Company covering associated costs.
• The selected Management Company must also comply with all other applicable California Labor Code (Labor Code) requirements, including California's prevailing wage laws as outlined in the Labor Code sections 1720-1861 if and when applicable.

Insurance Requirements

• Prior to commencing work, the Management Company must provide proof of insurance with specified coverage levels including Commercial General Liability, Commercial Automobile Liability, and Workers' Compensation. Please see attachment B for specific requirements.
• All policies must meet the insurer reliability criteria and include necessary endorsements as specified in Attachment B.

Proposal Requirements:

Respondents must provide:

• A detailed proposal outlining their qualifications, relevant experience, and strategic approach to managing the Ballpark District. Proposals should follow this structure:
  1. Executive Summary: Overview of the respondent's qualifications and vision for the Ballpark District.
  2. Organizational Background: Relevant experience and key personnel.
  3. Strategic Approach: Detailed plan for achieving the District's goals, including methodologies and proposed timelines.
  4. Financials: A proposed budget, including a secondary budget with recommendations for additional services and their costs.
  5. Supporting Documentation: References, letters of recommendation, and examples of successful district management or similar projects.

Funding Overview:

The annual budget for the Ballpark District is approximately $2 million. These funds should primarily be allocated primarily toward maintenance and cleanliness, security enhancements, and placemaking efforts. Approximately 8% is allocated to administrative costs and city funds. Respondents should take into account that funding will need to include insurance, equipment, and other operational expenses. This budget is expected to increase annually by 5-7%. Respondents should also outline a secondary budget proposal to identify additional fundraising or sponsorship opportunities to achieve optimal service levels. Additional contributions may come from partnerships with stakeholders, grants, or sponsorship opportunities.

Submission Details:

Proposals are due by March 25, 2025. Submissions must include all required documentation and be sent to:

Ballpark District Contact Information:

• Mailing Address: 12770 El Camino Real, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92130
• Email Contact: Ashley Johnson: ajohnson@swspr.com
• Proposals may be emailed, mailed or delivered in person. Late submissions will not be considered.

Evaluation Criteria:

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

1. Relevant experience and qualifications, including examples of successful district management projects, demonstrated expertise in urban improvement initiatives, and measurable outcomes achieved in previous roles or contracts.
2. Demonstrated ability to collaborate with partners and stakeholders.
3. Innovative approaches to district management and service delivery.
4. Proposed budgets and value-added recommendations.
5. References and track record of successful projects.

Commencement Date:

The selected Management Company is expected to commence services on or around July 1, 2025, coinciding with the launch of the new Ballpark District. The agreement will include a 30-day termination clause, with or without cause, as determined by the Ballpark District Board of Directors.

Equal Opportunity:

The Ballpark District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, or sexual orientation.

For further information or questions about this RFP, please contact: ajohnson@swspr.com.