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Brian Kurtz has been selected as CEO of the San Jose Downtown Association, effective in January. Photo courtesy of the San Jose Downtown Association.<\/p>\n
Kurtz said he\u2019s excited to learn more about the city and community. He said the first part of his job is to understand where things stand and how the community is progressing, while the downtown association prepares for San Jose\u2019s 2026 events.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been working in downtown and place management for more than 15 years,\u201d he told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cWith that comes a passion for public spaces, public places and the intersection of people and place and the natural organic collisions that occur on a daily basis, in a positive way, within an urban environment.\u201d<\/p>\n
As founding president and CEO of the Downtown Tulsa Partnership in Oklahoma, Kurtz worked to secure a contract with the city to expand economic development and advance public-private infrastructure partnerships, according to an SJDA news release. He holds a master\u2019s degree in urban planning from the University at Buffalo. He is professionally certified in place management by the International Downtown Association and serves on its board of directors.<\/p>\n
Prior to his roles in Tulsa, he was director of economic development for the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. He also served in planning and economic development in Buffalo, New York.<\/p>\n
SJDA Board Chair Emily Ruvalcaba looks forward to having Kurtz lead the organization.<\/p>\n
\u201cBrian brings a depth of professional expertise and a proven record of building strong coalitions in support of vibrant downtowns,\u201d she said in a statement. \u201cAs San Jose prepares for major events in 2026<\/a> and lays the groundwork for long-term economic recovery, his experience will be invaluable.\u201d<\/p>\n San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight strong planning and leadership is needed in downtown. He is ready to work with Kurtz and the board to make downtown San Jose a safe, clean place where people from all over the region want to visit.<\/p>\n \u201cBrian is taking the helm of our downtown association just in time to put the final touches on planning for 2026 and most importantly \u2014 help execute it,\u201d Mahan said.<\/p>\n Kurtz will lead the San Jose Downtown Association as the city prepares for major sports events next year, including Super Bowl 60<\/a> at Levi\u2019s Stadium in neighboring Santa Clara, as well as FIFA World Cup<\/a> matches. The city is preparing to host thousands of visitors<\/a>, with SJDA focused on improving entertainment<\/a> around the downtown core.<\/p>\n In August, city officials and SJDA unveiled a $795,000 beautification project including murals<\/a>, repainted building facades and added colorful lighting along Santa Clara Street between Market and Fourth streets. The downtown association and the city together contributed $250,000. Adobe, Urban Catalyst, the Knight Foundation, PG&E, VTA, Jay Paul Company and the Downtown San Jose Improvement District also contributed funding.<\/p>\n
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