Shopping center owner Angelo Tsakopoulos (third from left) receives a Carmichael Improvement District award for his Carmichael Village center. Cathy Phole accepts a trophy for the Dunkin Donuts store. Offering legislative commendations are Matt Ceccato (left), Rob Olmstead, Vanessa McCarthy Olmstead and Mark Cullum. Sergeant Ed Igoe represents the Sacramento County Sherriff’s Department.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Two businesses last week earned Carmichael Improvement District Awards for property enhancement. 

More than 100 Carmichael Improvement District stakeholders crowded the Milagro Centre for the annual State of the PBID (Property and Business Improvement District) dinner. Elected officials saluted business zone improvements and back-slapped awardees.

Sacramento Sheriff Jim Cooper stressed the importance of maintaining Carmichael’s commercial center.

“I wish there were less politics involved in dealing with issues that are the CID’s concern,” Cooper said. “We (Sheriff’s officers) can’t be everywhere all the time. Business owners are the backbone of the CID. It hasn’t been easy for you to achieve your improvements but you’ve done it.”

Carmichael Improvement District board members are Gregg Jones (back left), Stacey Yankee, Nick Bloise, Vanessa McCarthy-Olmstead, Eric Price and executive director Samantha Beck. Seated are Joseph Covington (left), Chairman James Eowan and Vice-Chair Rosie Buck.

Sacramento District Attorney Thien Ho noted ongoing law enforcement challenges in the area.

“But a rising tide lifts all ships,” Ho said. “The Property and Business Improvement District makes sure things get done in the community. We can’t do our job without your help. Business owners lift us all up. Together, we’re only going to do better.”

A life-long Carmichael resident, County Supervisor Rich Desmond praised the Property and Business Improvement District’s effectiveness in many areas of civic life.

“How do we make our commercial corridors cleaner?” Desmond asked. “How do we attract investment and make our businesses thrive? It takes all of us working together, through the Carmichael CID, to improve our community. The PBID is fully engaged in many areas of Carmichael life and is making it a better place.”

The Carmichael Improvement District’s Bright Star award recognizes property upgrades that enhance the business district. Dunkin Donut owner Ryan Lui was praised for landscaping at his Manzanita Avenue store.

Dunkin Donut franchise owner Ryan Hui’s landscaping improvements earn a “Bright Star” award for his Manzanita Avenue store.

Tsakopoulos Investments received the Carmichael Improvement District’s Visionary Award that honors a stakeholder whose efforts go beyond business interests. Improvements by the Tsakopoulos family have enhanced security and traffic safety in Carmichael Village to the advantage of the community, explained Carmichael Improvement District vice-chair Rosie Buck.

Formed in 2016, the Carmichael Improvement District is one of 18 similar groups in Sacramento County. Leaders work closely with the county and Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department. Funding comes mostly from assessments on 900 property owners with premises between Oak Avenue and Crestview Shopping Center (Manzanita Avenue). 

Learn more about the Carmichael Improvement District at www.discovercarmichael.com