The

In this article entitled, "Skanska Development to build office building in downtown Washington, " Gerry Widdicombe, the BID's director of economic development, discusses the realities of the current Downtown office market and makes predictions about the near future.

The Washington Post

In a feature entitled, "A Corridor of Color Amid the Grays of Downtown,"  Downtown BID Executive Director Richard H. Bradley comments on the the National Museum of Women in the Art's (NMWA) New York Avenue Sculpture Project, an outdoor gallery debuting in Downtown this spring. The BID was one of NMWA's partners in organizing the public art display.

The Washington Post

In this article entitled, "west elm Packs Up the Furniture After Short-lived Run Downtown,"  Downtown BID Executive Director Richard H. Bradley provides insights into why the furniture retailer decided to close its doors. Forever 21, the popular teen and young adult clothing chain, will occupy the west elm space.

The Washington Post
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Ashley Halsey III

In an article entitled, "Navigating a Bus Path for K Street-Again."  Downtown BID Executive Director Richard H. Bradley comments on the K Street transit way design. "If we're intending to become a city of stature, and I think we are, we need to make this a great street," says Bradley. The city is considering two updated designs and is finalizing a request for $95 million in federal stimulus funds to finance the project.

In an article entitled "Downtown Holding Firm in Uncertain Times," Downtown BID Chairman of the Board Matt Klein, president of Akridge, shares information presented at the Downtown BID’s State of Downtown Forum, held on June 2, 2009, and featured in the 2008 State of Downtown Report. Klein notes that both Washington, DC, and Downtown had mixed results in 2008, setting many economic records but ending on a less than upbeat note due to the global financial and economic crisis. In many ways, the first quarter of 2009 mirrored last year’s performance.

WAMU 88.5 FM 
The Kojo Nnamdi Show

For audio and transcripts click here.

WNBC-TV

DC Considers Proposal to Rid City Streets of Double-Parked Trucks -The District may soon crack down on double-parked trucks and other vehicles that clog city streets, is a TV news segment that focuses on a bill being spearheaded by Ward 1 Council Member Jim Graham. Downtown BID Transportation Director Ellen Jones is interviewed.

The Washington Post

This article, entitled “The Shrinking of Chinatown,” highlights the neighborhood’s identity problem following years of gentrification. The Downtown BID provides data showing the number of residents and workers in the one-square-mile district that includes Chinatown has risen dramatically in 10 years. A strategy group for cultural development, led by the DC government, is working to establish Chinatown as the center of Asian activity in the Washington metropolitan area.

The Washington Post

 In this feature, "In D.C., Bailout Means Business," Downtown BID Executive Director Richard Bradley comments on the global economic slowdown and the opportunities and challenges it presents for business and development communities.

Jonathan Ward of the Downtown BID Homeless Outreach team is the project director for One Warm Coat. In this video entitled, "Bush Donated Coats, But Where Did They Go?," Ward explains how the coats are distributed and why the president and Mrs. Bush being involved is so important.

In the June issue of the DC Building Industry Association’s newsletter, Pipeline, Downtown BID Director of Economic Development  Gerry Widdicombe provides a summary of the recent commercial property tax rate decrease directed primarily at small commercial properties, in an article entitled, "New DC Budget Reduces Commercial Tax Rates - Slightly!"

The Examiner
June 13, 2008
Harry Jaffe

This column compares data provided in two reports, including the Downtown BID’s 2007 Annual Report, to draw juxtapositions about DC. The BID annual report shows favorable job growth, investment and new residents and visitors in Downtown. In contrast, the 2008 Kids Count data book, published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, shows high child poverty rates and economic adversity. The article, A pair of new reports describe tale of two cities concludes that DC is divided by wealth and race, education and opportunity.

The Northwest Current
May 7, 2008
Staff Report
Reprinted by permission

The  Washington, DC Economic Partnership and Reed Smith recently sponsored a forum on "BIDs in Transition," addressing the challenges and opportunities facing DC BIDs. Downtown BID Director of Marketing and Communications Karen Sibert  participated on the panel along with representatives from NoMa, Capitol Riverfront and the Anacostia Economic Development Corporation. The Northwest Current published a recap of the presentation in an article entitled "City BIDs discuss strategies, successes. 

Downtown resident and founding member of the Downtown Neighborhood Association Miles Groves is profiled and quoted in this article, entitled "Residents give D.C. downtown its due." Downtown resident Jackie Cawthon and BID Research Associate Rebecca White also weigh in on the joys, challenges and realities of Downtown life.  

WNBC-TV
Tuesday, January 30, 2008
What's Working

NBC-4 produced this feature on the Downtown BID’s homeless outreach services as part of its “What’s Working” segment. It features Jonathan Ward, MSW, of Pathways to Housing, and profiles a homeless man who was able to move from living on Downtown streets for the past seven years into his own apartment with the help of the BID’s homeless outreach team, and in particular, SAM hospitality team member Aaron McKeiver, who took a special interest in this man’s welfare.

Bloomberg.com
February 9, 2006
Daniel J. Goldstein

In this feature story, DC, Once `Graveyard After Dark,' Adds Manhattan Glitz, Downtown BID Economic Development Director Gerry Widdicombe provides insight on the city and Downtown’s resurgence as a major destination hub that has attracted restaurants, bars and residents. Downtown’s Gallery Place, Rosa Mexicano restaurant, Macy’s department store and expensive home and office prices have all contributed to the “Manhattanization” of the nation’s capital, giving it a New York feel.