Timeline 
Renewal Timeline
AUG – NOV 2026
Conduct outreach with property owners and managers to develop a shared vision, define district boundaries, and establish the proposed assessment methodology.
NOV – DEC 2026
Develop the proposed District Management Plan and Engineer’s Report for City review.
JAN – MAR 2027
Initiate the petition drive to secure signed petitions from at least 30% of property owners, the threshold required to move forward
APR 2027
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ Land Use and Transportation Committee reviews and considers approval of the Resolution of Intent to renew and expand The East Cut Community Benefit District.
APR 2027
The Port Commission reviews and considers approval of any proposed district expansion that includes Port-owned properties within the renewal process.
MAY 2027
The Government Audit and Oversight (GAO) Committee reviews and considers approval of the resolution authorizing the Mayor to cast assessment ballots on behalf of City-owned properties.
JUN 2027
Property owners receive ballots to vote on the renewal and expansion of The East Cut Community Benefit District.
JUL 2027
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors votes to certify the election results of the renewed and expanded district. If certified, Mayor Daniel Lurie needs to sign the legislation, formally establishing the renewed East Cut Community Benefit District.
JAN 2028
Launch: The renewed and expanded East Cut CBD district begins operations, with services rolling out in phases throughout the year.
FAQs
All property-based assessment districts are term-limited. Our current assessment district, formed in 2015, is nearing its expiration, and we must renew to continue operating in the neighborhood. Simultaneously, our work has grown well beyond the original management plan, from maintaining The Crossing to delivering 24/7 street services, neighborhood enhancement projects, economic development efforts, and downtown improvement initiatives. Costs have risen faster than our assessment cap allows, and renewal gives us the opportunity to modernize our funding model to match the scope of services property owners rely on.
If renewal does not pass, the district’s services will continue through the original term and will dissolve in 2030. This includes 24/7 street cleaning and safety services, maintenance and programming at The Crossing, public service projects, and neighborhood beautification efforts. Without a renewed assessment, there is no funding mechanism to sustain this work.
Every property within the CBD’s boundaries pays a special assessment fee based on its proportional share of the cost of district services, calculated according to the special benefit each property receives. To determine an individual parcel’s annual assessment, three factors are considered: 1) the parcel’s land use type and its proximity to Salesforce Park determine the applicable assessment rate, with properties closer to the park generally paying higher rates; 2) the parcel’s lot square footage and building square footage are added together; and 3) the subsequent combined square footage is multiplied by the assessment rate to calculate the total annual assessment.
Annual increases to these rates are limited to 3% or the rate of the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less. The special assessment appears on property tax bills and is paid yearly to the City, and these costs are often passed through as part of lease recoveries or real estate transactions.
Assessment rates generally increase the closer a property is to Salesforce Park. Base rates include:
- Affordable housing and non-profits farther from the park: $0.07519 per square foot
- Other properties farther from the park: $0.10031 per square foot
- Properties within 500 feet of the park: $0.14824 per square foot,
- Commercial buildings adjacent to the park: $0.21092 per square foot
- Commercial buildings adjacent to the park with a connecting bridge: $0.24227 per square foot
| Property Type | Location Relative to Park | Rate per Sq. Ft. |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial buildings | Adjacent to the park with a connecting bridge | $0.24227 |
| Commercial buildings | Adjacent to the park | $0.21092 |
| All properties | Within 500 feet of the park | $0.14824 |
| Other properties | Farther than 500 feet from the park | $0.10031 |
| Affordable housing and non-profits | Farther than 500 feet from the park | $0.07519 |
Yes. As part of this renewal, assessment rates will increase to reflect the cost of maintaining current service levels. We are committed to transparency throughout this process and will share detailed information on proposed rates as this renewal process moves forward.
We are currently in the process of discussing different boundary scenarios for the renewed district. No decisions have been made at this time, and any proposed changes will be shared as those conversations progress. We encourage property owners to attend upcoming public meetings and town halls to stay informed and provide input as this process progresses.
Property owner input is a critical part of this process. We will be holding a series of public meetings and town halls throughout the renewal period, where property owners can ask questions, share feedback, and learn more about the proposed changes. Details on dates and locations will be shared as they are scheduled.
In the meantime, we also encourage you to reach out to us at info@theeastcut.og to share your perspective.
No. Assessment contributions may vary based on property size, but services are not scaled to how much a property pays. Every property within the district benefits equally from shared services such as street cleaning, safety patrols, and public realm improvements, regardless of assessment size. The district’s programs are designed to elevate the neighborhood, so all property owners share the benefits of a cleaner, safer, and more vibrant downtown.
The City of San Francisco provides baseline services, including police, fire, and emergency response through 911, as well as non-emergency assistance through 311. Other city services include street resurfacing, street cleaning, and more. The East Cut supplements this baseline with more responsive, neighborhood-dedicated care including same day dispatch response, graffiti and litter removal, and sidewalk pressure washing with an average response time of 1-2 hours. This hyper-local responsiveness is a core part of the value the assessment district.