Thurs. November 30, 2017
Washington, D.C. – The DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) on Nov. 30 announced the 2017 Momentum Award recipients, who will be presented with their awards at the 20th Anniversary Momentum Awards ceremony and reception on Dec. 6.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the creation of the DowntownDC BID, and as such, the BID’s annual Momentum Awards program this month is a celebration of the individuals, organizations and agencies that made major contributions to DowntownDC over the past 20 years.
Winners include chef and owner of ThinkFoodGroup José Andrés, neuropsychologist and longtime D.C. Councilmember Dr. Charlene Drew Jarvis, development pioneer Oliver T. Carr, Jr., the National Cherry Blossom Festival and more.
“In 20 years, DowntownDC has evolved from surface parking lots and a few attractions to be the site of some of the most prized real estate in the District, world-class dining and entertainment and the major job hub for the city,” said President and Executive Director of the DowntownDC BID Neil Albert. “All of that wouldn’t have been possible without this year’s 20th Anniversary Momentum Award Winners, who each contributed so much to the DowntownDC community and the District.”
Winners will be officially honored on Dec. 6 at the DowntownDC BID’s 20th Anniversary Momentum Awards (#downtowndc), at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center. This year’s reception will feature the music of DJ Adrian Loving, a Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library Lounge featuring a glimpse of the soon-to-be-renovated DowntownDC library, and a 360-degree video activation featuring DowntownDC neighborhoods courtesy of Destination DC.
The complete list of award winners follows:
Arts & Culture
Shakespeare Theatre Company, for early and continued commitment and investment in the arts in DowntownDC and the successful establishment of a world-renowned theatre company
Destination Experience
National Cherry Blossom Festival, for making DowntownDC a premier springtime destination through successful programming, activation and events which bring millions of visitors to D.C. each year
DowntownDC Pioneers
José Andrés, chef and owner of ThinkFoodGroup, for early and continued investment in DowntownDC, its community, its people and its dining scene through ThinkFoodGroup’s China Chilcano, Jaleo, Oyamel, Zaytinya, and two-star Michelin winner minibar
Richard H. Bradley, the founding executive director of the DowntownDC BID for transformative leadership and vision during his 18-year tenure and his success in transforming DowntownDC from dull, dirty and dangerous to clean and safe and vibrant and exciting
Oliver T. Carr, Jr., real estate pioneer and founder of Carr Companies, Carr Workplaces, Carr City Centers, Carr Hospitality and more for early and sustained investment in the revitalization of DowntownDC and diversification of the economy through hotels, office space, retail locations and residential buildings
Councilmember Jack Evans, for championing the legislation responsible for establishing the DowntownDC BID, support for small businesses and vibrant communities and his work with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to make DowntownDC more accessible
Dr. Charlene Drew Jarvis, former longtime D.C. councilmember, for early and bold leadership in the achievement of economic growth and development in DowntownDC and for introducing legislation that brought the-then MCI Center, to DowntownDC
Homeless Advocacy Leadership
Chet Grey, former homeless services director for the DowntownDC BID, for early and passionate investment in solving homelessness and serving individuals experiencing homelessness in DowntownDC
Linda Kaufman, who has resumed her role as the DowntownDC BID’s Director of Homeless Services, for three decades of work to solve homelessness in D.C.
Legacy in Dining
Clyde’s Restaurant Group, for founding and continued investment in DowntownDC’s dining scene through Old Ebbitt Grill, Clyde’s Gallery Place, The Hamilton and more
Most Transformative Project
The Capital One Arena (formerly known as the MCI Center and Verizon Center), for acting as the catalyst development which transformed and continues to transform DowntownDC into the world-class destination it is today
Public Safety
Metropolitan Police Department, for longstanding and ongoing commitment and efforts to improve the quality of life for workers, residents and visitors in DowntownDC through transparency, community policing, innovation and multi-faceted partnerships
Public Sector
District Department of Transportation, for utilizing programs, partnerships and advocacy to make DowntownDC a 21st century transportation hub and one of the most accessible destinations in the District
Sustainability
Department of Energy and the Environment, for making D.C. a healthy, green and livable city and the first LEED Platinum city in the world
**Note: The 2017 Momentum Awards is open to media. Press who wish to attend, please contact Rachel Rose Hartman at rachel@downtowndc.org to register.