Commerical District Incentives

The Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization (NCR) program offers a variety of programs, incentives and services to transform older, neighborhood commercial districts into vital shopping districts by improving their physical and economic conditions.

Business Improvement District Assistance
The Business Improvement District Assistance program provides financial and technical assistance to merchants and property owners to establish Business Improvement Districts (BID) in neighborhood commercial areas. BIDs are self-imposed assessment districts established by a majority vote of licensed businesses and/or property owners in the district. The assessment collected pays for maintenance, security, management, and physical improvements beyond that which is normally provided by the city.

The financial assistance can take the form of either a seed grant (not to exceed $7,500) to start the process and determine BID feasibility or a repayable loan to fund completion of the BID formation process. Funding is awarded to groups on a competitive basis.

For more information, e-mail or call 510.238.6176.

Commercial Property Façade Improvement Program
Free architectural assistance and 50% matching grants up to $20,000 (Downtown) or $10,000 (specified neighborhood commercial districts) are available to property and business owners for eligible projects. The program is intended to enhance the visual appearance of targeted commercial districts by stimulating the rehabilitation of commercial and mixed-use buildings. Grant funds can be used to rehabilitate historic façades, exterior repairs, windows, painting, cleaning, removal of old signs and installation of new signs, awnings, exterior lighting, improvement or removal of safety grilles and guards, fencing, and landscaping.

To download a pdf file of the Facade Improvement Program brochure, click here. (3.0 MB)

For more information, e-mail or call 510.238.3695.

Merchants Association Assistance/Organizational Development
Assistance is available to merchant groups to develop and strengthen merchant associations including meeting facilitation, organizational development, and referral to city programs and services.

For more information, e-mail or call 510.238.3695.

Oakland Merchants Leadership Forum
Representing merchant associations from throughout the city, the Oakland Merchants Leadership Forum serves as a clearinghouse for information on services for small businesses. The Forum also conducts the annual Shop Oakland campaign to capture and re-circulate retail dollars in Oakland.

For more information, visit www.omlf.org of call OMLF at 510.663.0653.

Urban Design/Streetscape Improvements
In an effort to create pedestrian friendly streets to support neighborhood commercial districts, improvements include sidewalk extensions at crosswalks and intersections, pedestrian scale streetlights, streetlamp banners, trees, landscaped medians, and coordinated street furniture.

For more information, e-mail or call 510.238.3699.