Mon. March 18, 2013
WASHINGTON, DC – The DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) has released its 2012 Annual Report, which underscores a year of many accomplishments, including the successful renewal of the organization’s legislative charter for a new, five-year term through September 2017.
“Once again, because of the dedicated work of our SAMs, other BID staff, partner organizations and agencies, 2012 was a productive year,” said DowntownDC BID Executive Director Richard Bradley. “Equipped with a new, five-year business plan, our focus is centered on planning and continued investment in Downtown’s public infrastructure, economy and sense of place.”
The report (October 1, 2011 – September 30, 2012) highlights the BID’s achievements and goals in key program areas: operations, public space management, infrastructure and sustainability, communications and special events, economic development, and finance and administration.
The report is available at www.downtowndc.org/annual, and for the second consecutive year, it will be available for the iPad as an app which will provide the report in a digital format by the end of this month. The app will be available in the iTunes App Store or at www.downtowndc.org/annualreport.
Among the BID highlights noted in the 2012 Annual Report:
- Collected 180,955 bags of litter and trash and assisted 316,402 citizens with the help of its Downtown Safety/Hospitality and Maintenance employees (SAMs)
- Developed a field asset management mobile app and desktop tool to better identify, assess and track conditions and activity in public space
- Held the first Building Energy Summit to provide property managers and owners with the tools to significantly reduce energy consumption and costs
- Developed and implemented a property manager outreach program
- Welcomed more than 1.5 million people to the National Cherry Blossom Festival, celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the gift of trees from Japan
- Partnered with the D.C. government on multiple planning/strategy initiatives, including the Five-Year Economic Development Strategy, DC Streetcar Financing, the Comprehensive Housing Strategy Task Force and the D.C. Tax Revision Commission
- Established contact with 409 people experiencing homelessness in Downtown, many of whom were engaged several times—an average of 4.5 visits per person
Going forward, the BID will develop improved deployment for SAMs commensurate with Downtown’s expanding nighttime economy, residential housing and emergency management focus; continue to enhance the physical environment and pedestrian experience with GIS mapping assistance; complete the DC Smarter Business Challenge to include 55 BID businesses that share and commit to smart, sustainable business practices; and develop an action plan to mitigate congestion in Chinatown.
“We look to the future with optimism and enthusiasm, maintaining the BID’s focus on priorities that produce both stellar results and creative solutions,” said Bradley.