PRESS RELEASE: DowntownDC BID Unveils ‘Downtown 2027-Vision for the Future’

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Tues. December 12, 2017

The DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) on Dec. 11 unveiled “Downtown 2027: Vision for the Future,” a bold 10-year plan to put downtown on track for continued success and further growth over the next decade.

As the DowntownDC BID organization prepared in 2017 to enter its third decade of operations, staff met with key stakeholders, public and private sector experts and others to discuss the future of downtown. Out of that research, the BID developed assessments and recommendations focused on four key areas: the public realm, human services, transportation and economic development.

“Downtown in 2027 should be a place where experience is world-class, our most vulnerable residents are properly and humanely supported, public spaces are clean, safe and inviting and downtown’s diversity is reflected in its business, residents, entertainment and price-points,” said DowntownDC BID President & CEO Neil Albert. “We welcome our stakeholders and partners to join us in the effort to achieve these tangible goals and solidify downtown’s reputation in the District, the region and the world.”

 
The Strategies for the Future outlined in the report are not limited to the BID’s operations or the BID’s 138-block boundary but they extend beyond the organization and the geographic area to the larger downtown and to the public, private and civic partners required for lasting success.

 

Key Strategies for the Future include:

  • Improving Metrorail service and securing a dedicated funding source
  • Transferring jurisdiction of National Park Service parks in downtown to the city
  • Expanding permanent supportive housing and accelerating transfers to housing
  • Reestablishing daytime homeless services
  • Implementing an incentive program to convert office space into residential space
  • Keeping the Capital One Arena downtown
  • Reducing on-street parking