What happens when you design a city for people instead of cars?
In Downtown D.C., the answer is taking shape block by block most notably at Anthem Row, where the DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) is transforming an underutilized corridor into a vibrant destination for art, culture, and community. At the heart of this transformation is a $1.1 million investment from the DC Office of Planning’s Streets for People Grant Program.
The BID’s work at Anthem Row has already welcomed more than 80,000 visits between January and May 2025, marking a 35% increase in foot traffic year-over-year. And this success comes with less than one-third of the available grant funds spent, signaling a high-impact, high-efficiency return on public investment.
“The Streets for People program enables us to do what we do best: reimagine public space as a platform for connection,” said Gerren Price, President and CEO of the DowntownDC BID. “It’s a powerful tool for turning overlooked areas into places where people want to linger, engage, celebrate, and return.”
With creative direction from My Ly Design—a D.C.-based, women-owned, BIPOC creative firm—the BID has curated a rotating series of temporary public art installations that transform the streetscape and inspire civic pride. From the meditative glow of the Lunar New Year Lantern to the whimsical Cherry Blossom Daruma and kaleidoscopic Prism, these immersive installations have captivated residents and visitors alike.
The Daruma celebration in March exemplified the impact of these activations: a single day of programming—including taiko drumming, sushi-making workshops, and kimono fashion shows—drove a 462% spike in foot traffic and generated more than $6,000 in revenue for surrounding local businesses such as the Westin Hotel and Love, Makoto.
But the BID’s vision for Anthem Row extends beyond temporary activations. With new public seating, lush landscaping, and aerial lighting installations in progress, the space is being redesigned as a permanent gathering place, one that welcomes people from all walks of life, not just during events but every day.
“We see placemaking not as an amenity, but as essential infrastructure,” said Price. “When public space works for people, the entire downtown ecosystem becomes stronger economically, socially, and culturally.”
The Streets for People grant is more than a funding mechanism; it’s a catalyst. It allows the BID to rapidly prototype ideas, amplify local voices, and bring new life to public spaces in ways that align with long-term downtown recovery and revitalization goals. As downtowns across the country grapple with shifting work patterns and economic uncertainty, Downtown D.C. is proving that artful, inclusive design can serve as a powerful antidote.
Looking ahead, the BID remains committed to expanding its placemaking efforts, using the momentum at Anthem Row as a blueprint for other parts of the district. The future of Downtown D.C. is not just walkable; it’s joyful, creative, and made for people.
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