The Downtown DC Business Improvement District (BID) recently released its 2007 State of Downtown Report, which shows that the Downtown BID area's economy has remained surprisingly robust in the midst of international and national economic and financial hardships.

During 2007, visitors in the Downtown BID area hit an all time high of 9.5 million.  The BID area Metrorail rider-ship rose to 102,000 per weekday (up 2,000 riders per day from 2006) and the DC Circulator bus carried about 6,600 daily riders in 2007 (up 16% from  2006) and served its 5 millionth passenger in December 2007.  In addition, the Downtown BID area added 5,000 jobs in 2007 and will continue to add 2,000 to 4,000 jobs each year until 2015.

Executive director of the Downtown DC BID, Richard H. Bradley says, "[T]he Downtown BID area economy should continue its strong performance and growth in 2008...We look forward to the remainder of 2008 and the next few years with a sense of cautious optimism as the Downtown BID area provides a remarkable urban experience for employees, residents and visitors alike with access to unparalleled public transit, cultural amenities, entertainment and restaurants-all of which mix together in an exciting environment of urban vibrancy."

Matt Klein, chairman of the Downtown BID Board of Directors, says "In the future, the Downtown BID area will welcome new employers, museums, hotels, restaurants, as well as environmentally conscious transportation alternatives and amenities.  Securing investment in the existing transit system and adding new transit options, improving parks, continuing to improve care for the homeless and creating a retail shopping district, are activities we are undertaking to enable the Downtown BID area to become one of the world's most vibrant, inviting and smart urban destinations."

The full report is available on the Downtown BID's website at www.downtowndc.org/state.