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The Fruitvale Business Improvement District (BID) is a comprehensive neighborhood commercial revitalization program focused on the International Boulevard & Fruitvale Avenue (Zone 1) and Foothill Boulevard (Zone 2) commercial corridors. The Unity Council works daily to beautify and improve the neighborhood, and these ongoing services result in increased economic activity, a lowered perception of crime, and a greater sense of pride in the community.  At the start of the program in 2001, commercial property owners voted to adopt a BID to continue revitalization efforts started under the Main Street Program, which the Unity Council had implemented since 1996.  In 2006, owners renewed their commitment to supporting revitalization activities for an additional five years.  The BID currently supports upwards of 350 businesses throughout the Fruitvale.
The BID continues the work of the Main Street Program, a successful model developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation that addresses five components of revitalization: safety and cleanliness, economic development, design, promotion, and community organizing. Our achievements in this area include completing over 183 façade improvements since 1996, installing public art and streetscape improvements, offering business assistance for local merchants, and coordinating daily sidewalk cleaning, and tree and flower planting.
In addition, the BID team serves as a liaison with the City of Oakland, reporting safety hazards that otherwise would go unchecked and unrepaired.  We also report and address blight, and organize full neighborhood cleanups in conjunction with the City, including Park Cleanups, Creek restorations, and Earth Day cleanups.
Results from January 1 through December 31, 2009
Over the past year the BID crew has:

  • Cleaned over 337 incidents of graffiti in Zone 1
  • Cleaned over 386 incidents of graffiti in Zone 2
  • Reported over 70 incidents of blight
  • Cleaned over 55 incidents of illegal dumpings
  • Coordinated over 525 volunteers for neighborhood cleanup and other activities in the corridor

The BID crew also coordinates the following neighborhood meetings throughout the year:

  • Neighbor Crime Prevention Council meets the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM at Fruitvale San Antonio Senior Center, 3301 East 12th Street
  • Fruitvale Alianza group of volunteers meets the first Tuesday of the month at 6:00 PM at the Unity Council, 1900 Fruitvale Avenue, Second floor
  • Design Committee meets the third Monday of the month at 9:00 AM (location varies)
  • Fruitvale Business Improvement District meets every 3 month at 6:30 PM

The BID crew also coordinated the Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 17th at the Fruitvale Plaza Park, at the corner of 35th Avenue and International Blvd.  Activities included park cleanup, weeding and mulching; information on local resources was also distributed from an in information table.

If you need any information please contact Maria Sanchez at 510-535-6919 or mlsanchez@unitycouncil.org


Please see the Fruitvale Merchants Directory.


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