Center took part in the State of Downtown Forum 2025

Jun 19

April 22, 2025

On 04/22/2025, the Downtown DC Business Improvement District (BID) hosted its annual State of Downtown Forum at Georgetown University’s Capitol Campus. The event brought together city leaders, urban planners, and business innovators to discuss the evolving landscape of downtown Washington, D.C.

Mayor Muriel Bowser opened the forum, emphasizing the city's commitment to revitalizing downtown through strategic investments in housing, transportation, and public spaces. The forum, moderated by DowntownDC BID President and CEO Gerren Price, featured a dynamic, late-night talk show-style format that encouraged candid discussions on the challenges and opportunities facing the city.

Key speakers included Shalom Baranes, Founding Principal of Shalom Baranes Associates; Crispus Gordon, Vice President of Government Relations and Strategic Affairs at Monumental Sports & Entertainment; Tracy Hadden Loh, Fellow at Brookings Metro; and Anoop Rustgi, Managing Director at Quadrum Global (Arlo Hotel). Topics ranged from real estate development and urban design to the integration of technology in city planning.

The forum underscored the importance of adaptive reuse of office spaces, the expansion of hospitality services, and the need for a resilient infrastructure to support a vibrant downtown. Attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to fostering a dynamic and inclusive urban environment.