Through popular events, including the Friday Night Summer Series and the Fall Jazz Series, the BID activates its public spaces and fosters a sense of community among the diverse base of neighborhood residents and visitors. Partnerships with organizations like Living Classrooms, the Anacostia Riverkeeper, and Earth Conservation Corps further help to broaden the programmatic offerings.

For the third consecutive year, the BID partnered with the National Cherry Blossom Festival to bring Petalpalooza - the closing celebratory event of the two-week festival - to Capitol Riverfront.

Additionally, the BID partners with local institutions, professional sports teams, and other community groups to further its community-driven mission. The annual Turkey Giveaway, supported by Van Ness and the Washington Nationals, provided Thanksgiving meals to over 200 families. The BID organized a cleanup of the 2nd Street Underpass with the Friends of Garfield Park and a community planting day at Emblem Park with the Virginia Avenue Park Community Garden.

The BID prioritizes safety and security as the bedrock of a thriving neighborhood.  In 2024, the BID facilitated monthly public safety meetings to allow more real-time communication between stakeholders and MPD, enabling tailored crime prevention strategies. The BID actively partners with DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) and the U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)  to explore and implement innovative safety initiatives for the neighborhood.

On the ground, expanded Clean Team routes enhance maintenance and provide a reassuring presence in underutilized areas. Collaborations with Half Street owners and retailers bolstered police visibility through the Reimbursable Detail Officer program. Advocacy efforts secured a Safety Commercial Corridors grant, funding a public safety specialist to strengthen coordination and crime prevention strategies including better integration between neighborhood properties and MPD’s new Real Time Crime Center.

Public realm enhancements are an essential part of the BIDs efforts to create active, safe, and welcoming spaces, with lighting as a key focus. The BID’s lighting improvement plan targets low-visibility areas, prioritizing improved visibility, functionality, and fostering a sense of security in public spaces. Public space upgrades in Yards Park and Canal Park are underway, with Half Street’s Monument Place being the next priority project for improved lighting and security enhancements, in collaboration with Half Street Owners and Retailers.

Sustainable economic growth in the neighborhood relies on empowering local businesses, which the BID supports through strategic marketing and inclusive programming. By leveraging social media and communication platforms, the BID promotes retailer offerings and amplifies campaigns like Toast to the Blossoms, the Holiday Giveaway Series, and Holiday on Half Street, enhancing the neighborhood’s appeal as a shopping and dining destination.

The BID also integrates retailers into events such as the Friday Night Concert Series and Petalpalooza, offering valuable exposure. Initiatives like the Bridge to Bridge Run and the 2nd Street Underpass Clean-Up showcase how businesses contribute to the neighborhood’s vitality through sponsorships and donations. This comprehensive approach strengthens local businesses while fostering community and economic resilience.

Economic advocacy begins with understanding the neighborhood’s strengths and challenges. The BID uses data-driven analysis, including economic impact reports, to highlight investment needs and advocate for continued public and private support. Collaborations with SWBID assess the long-term effects of public investments and partnerships, reinforcing the importance of sustained engagement. Both a strength and opportunity are the sports venues in Capitol Riverfront. The BID continues to collaborate with stakeholders of those facilities on fully leveraging them as a connected and cohesive sports and entertainment district.

Expanding beyond the immediate neighborhood, the BID is also working to strengthen economic connections across the Anacostia River to develop integrated supply chains that benefit businesses on both sides. This initiative emphasizes workforce training, business networking, and local product sourcing, promoting a more equitable and connected regional economy.

Officially launching this year, the Capitol Riverfront Parks Foundation, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit and philanthropic arm of the Capitol Riverfront BID,  is dedicated to enhancing and sustaining the neighborhood’s public spaces. Guided by pillars of public realm improvements, community building and organizing, and accessibility, the Foundation is driven by a clear vision and a committed board to foster a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community.

Building on the BID’s longstanding efforts, the Foundation strengthens connections among residents, businesses, and visitors through collaborative initiatives and advocacy. It invests in the maintenance and activation of parks and public spaces while championing equitable access and inclusivity. By partnering with local agencies and organizations, the Foundation works to improve functionality, connectivity, and the overall appeal of the neighborhood’s public areas.

Acting as a community facilitator and convener, the Capitol Riverfront Parks Foundation unites a diverse coalition of public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders, alongside Capitol Riverfront residents and visitors. Its efforts ensure that public spaces are not merely amenities, but essential elements that enhance the community’s quality of life.