Downtown Boise is a place to explore. Find a new adventure, spark creativity, make connections, and be a part of Boise’s vibrant culture where all are welcome.
In a downtown, like nowhere else, economic growth is interconnected with arts, festivals, dining and shopping, and opportunities for recreation and entertainment.
Our goal at the Downtown Boise Association is to keep Boise a healthy, happening, innovative and inspired city by keeping Boise’s downtown the place people want to be to build business and celebrate community.
What is the DBA?
The (DBA) is a non-profit 501(c) 6 Corporation that's authorized by the City of Boise to manage the Downtown Boise Business Improvement District (BID). We’re "placemakers", tasked with keeping downtown Boise’s public spaces clean, safe, vibrant, and attractive, giving those who invest here a greater opportunity for success. Boiseans love their city and are proud of their downtown. We work to keep it that way.
Why do the BID and DBA exist?
Important question! Because the economic activity that occurs in Downtown Boise is the catalyst for growth, jobs, and opportunity throughout Southwest Idaho, and to some degree, the entire state. Downtown Boise is home to a huge concentration of jobs and a variety of businesses, arts, culture and entertainment amenities. This economic activity generates a key source of revenue for local governments through property, income, sales, even alcohol sales taxes. This revenue is key for our city, county, and state governments to help pay for the important public services people in communities throughout the region rely on.
The Downtown Boise BID, managed by the DBA, exists to keep the regional economy healthy by keeping downtown, the driver of that economy, a successful place to do business. Keep reading to learn more on just how the Downtown Boise business improvement district and the resulting DBA services keep Boise's downtown a successful place to work, live, invest, and celebrate!
Who are Members of the DBA?
The DBA has three types of members:
- Property Owners inside the BID.
- Businesses inside the BID.
- Businesses just outside the BID (within the boundaries of the Downtown Boise Neighborhood Association) who appreciate the value of DBA promotions and pays a small fee to participate.
The Downtown Boise BID includes the area bounded by 5th to State Street, 13th to Myrtle Street, up 6th to Front Street, and back to 5th. We encourage you to learn more about member benefits.
How is the DBA Funded?
The DBA is funded by event and sponsorship revenue, grants, and assessments. Assessments are paid by each commercial property owner in the BID as mandated by Boise City Code . Residential and government property owners benefit from BID services as well, but are not required to pay into the business improvement district. Assessments pay for much of the core services like trash pick up, flower planter maintenance (more than 500 planters throughout the BID), streetlamp banner installation, holiday lighting, and other programs that keep downtown clean, attractive and safe.
Event income supports production of the events themselves, and supports DBA efforts to market and attract people to Boise's downtown.
What specifically does the DBA do?
Glad you asked!
The DBA works to create value through vibrancy and build both business and community downtown by advocating for the continued economic success of Boise’s downtown as a driver to and catalyst for economic growth, jobs and opportunity throughout the City of Boise and the Treasure Valley. The DBA markets downtown as a desired destination for both locals and visitors, produces signature events that drive traffic to business and showcase the diversity of Boise’s world class downtown, and we keep the downtown community informed of events that may interest or impact them.
Advocacy: The DBA is recognized by Boise City Council as an advocate for downtown Boise. That enables the DBA to take a leadership role in discussions on issues that impact the growth and direction of Boise’s urban downtown core. The DBA provides valuable data and input on the impact proposed projects may have on maintaining the success of any or all of downtown’s critical sectors, including retail business, arts and culture, entertainment, professional services, student and residential communities. The DBA is a key partner for the City of Boise, Capital City Development Corporation, the Boise Valley Economic Partnership, the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau, Boise State University, and others, to promoting and developing Downtown Boise as a successful place for building both business and community.
Maintenance: The DBA partners with the City of Boise Parks and Recreation Department to manage the Downtown Maintenance Matters Team. The MMT picks up where regular maintenance services leave off, removing trash and keeping sidewalks in the BID clean 7 days a week.
The DBA keeps streetscapes beautiful by planting more than 500 flower planters located throughout the BID. Streetlamp banners and downtown’s beautiful holiday lighting is also managed by the DBA.
Events: The DBA produces signature downtown events including Alive After Five, the City of Boise Tree Lighting Celebration, First Thursday, Dine Out Downtown Restaurant Week, Capitol Table, Father’s Day Car Show, Winter Window Walk, and City Santa. DBA events are meant to bring people downtown to celebrate community while increasing exposure for shops, services and restaurants. DBA events also generate revenue used to market downtown as an exciting destination and maintain downtown services.
Promotions & Marketing: The DBA promotes downtown Boise as a destination to enjoy unique shopping, amazing dining, tasting and sipping, and the rich variety of arts and entertainment found only in Downtown Boise.
Promotions include:
- Small Business Saturday and the Bronco Gameday Shuttle bringing large numbers of people downtown
- The Downtown Boise Map & Directory guides visitors to specific attractions
- The Downtown Boise Gift Card program brings in approx. $250,000 a year, money that goes directly into downtown businesses. The Downtown Boise Gift Card program is aimed at both the general public and employer incentive programs.
- downtownboise.org is an exciting new website that includes:
- Comprehensive Event Calendar
- Business listings, individual and promoted by category
- Happy Hour, Live Music, and Brunch features
- Resources for downtown businesses and property managers
- Regular e-newsletters to DBA members and the community including Downtown Happenings and Events. Sign up for e-newsletters here.
- The DBA promotes downtown as a preferred destination through media and social media
How We're Doing Thanks to Your Support!
2020:
Download the 2019-2020 State of Downtown Boise Report: prepared in partnership with Matt Borud from Idaho Commerce about Idaho Tourism.
2019:
Download the DBA 2019 Annual Report
Download the 2018-2019 State of Downtown Boise Report prepared in partnership with Boise State University’s Urban Studies and Community Development senior Capstone class, course instructor Dr. Jillian Moroney.
2018:
Download the DBA 2018 Annual Report
Download the 2017-2018 State of Downtown Boise Report: published as a supplement in the Idaho Business Review.
2017:
Download the DBA 2017 Annual Report
Download the 2016-2017 State of Downtown Boise Report: published as a supplement in the Idaho Business Review.
2016:
Download the DBA 2016 Annual Report
Download the 2015-2016 State of Downtown Boise Report: published as a supplement in the Idaho Business Review.
2015:
Download the DBA 2015 Annual Report