General Info

The Central Vista Business Improvement District and Main Street Community are dedicated to the preservation and improvement of Downtown Vista through the implementation of the four-point strategy of the National Main Street Program. VVBA was originally established in 1986 as the Vista Town Center Association, a 501 (c ) (3 ) non-profit organization to administer the revitalization of Vista's downtown under the four-point program of the National Main Street Association. In 1994, a group of business people in the downtown area of Vista determined through canvassing and public hearings that there was a great deal of interest in organizing a Business Improvement District (BID ). A BID is a group of businessmen interested in imposing upon themselves an annual assessment for the purpose of promotion and general enhancement of the area. After support was demonstrated, the BID was created in September 1995 by ordinance approved by the Vista City Council. The BID is authorized by State law and is mandatory. The funds collected can only be used within the District boundaries and only for the purposes described in the ordinance. In 2005-2006 the VVBA went through the process and expanded its' boundaries (see map ) and raised BID fees for the first time in 10 years. Vista Village Business Association (VVBA ) through contractual agreement with the City of Vista, has been designated as the Advisory Board and steward of those funds. The City of Vista collects the annual BID assessment at the time a business is billed annually. Funds collected are then matched dollar for dollar for that fiscal year supplied by the City, up to $30, 000 or a specified amount through redevelopment funds. This money is forwarded to the VVBA for the promotion, enhancement and general revitalization of the District. The VVBA is a non-profit corporation governed by a 15-member Board of Directors representing all downtown businesses - merchants, professionals, services, and financial institutions. The Board is elected from the membership and serves without compensation. The Board determines the programs based on input from the businesses and the budget required to pursue the objectives of the organization to meet the needs of its members. The board meets on the third Thursday of the month at 8 a.m. at the VVBA office. (More about our board. ) Every licensed business, insurance company, and financial institution within the BID boundaries is automatically a member of the VVBA. The VVBA serves the downtown Vista area through an executive director who works with member volunteers who serve on various committees. Committee issues and programs are identified and planned by the membership. Here are the VVBA Committees: Design: Enhancing the visual quality of downtown Vista using the basic design elements in the existing environment. Regular meetings 8 a.m. second Wednesday of month. Organization: Building an effective volunteer-driven management organization, guided by professional staff, with public and private support. Regular meetings 8 a.m. fourth Wednesday of month. Economic Restructuring: Recruitment of new businesses to balance the retail/service mix, putting vacant space back into productive use and improving the District's competitive market position. Regular meetings 8 a.m. first Thursday of month. Promotion: Planning and advertising the downtown as a unified shopping area through promotional events and marketing. Regular meetings 1: 00 p.m. third Wednesday of month. Who Do I Call? Vista Village Business Association Executive Director, Janet Puckett, will be happy to answer any additional questions you may have about the VVBA and the Business Improvement District. We welcome your ideas and involvement. Participation from all members is welcomed and needed to make the difference the Association wants to achieve. We are located at: 150 E. Broadway, CA 92084 Vista Hours: Monday - Friday, 8: 00 am-4: 30 pm