BID’s Art Ave Experience Celebrated for Advancing Revitalization in DC’s Downtown

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The International Downtown Association today recognized the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID) with the Downtown Achievement Award of Excellence for its resourceful approaches related to designing and implementing Art Ave. A jury of peer professionals reviewed, deliberated and evaluated all entries in the 2026 Downtown Achievement Awards. The Award of Excellence acknowledges an excellent response to an urban place management challenge, demonstrating application of industry knowledge and exceeds the jury criteria.   

Art Ave was entered in the category of Public Space Management and Operations which IDA identifies as one of the seven professional urban place management practice areas. This category features unique organizational approaches and projects in the areas of clean, safe and hospitality, placemaking and activation, and facilities management.

“Art Ave transformed the urban landscape, inviting District residents and visitors from around the world to experience a continued journey of art-filled exploration, with each vivid artwork serving as a beacon to the next,” Leona Agouridis, President of the Golden Triangle BID said. “We are honored to receive this IDA award recognizing Art Ave and the success of our placemaking efforts.” 

The Golden Triangle developed Art Ave to create a destination-worthy experience that attracted office workers, residents, and tourists who were visiting the White House and National Mall into the office-centric Golden Triangle in the post-pandemic era. Art Ave was made possible by the Streets for People grant program under the DC Office of Planning.

Using stunning public art as a catalyst, Art Ave created a natural gateway connecting the White House’s Lafayette Park to the Golden Triangle’s Connecticut Avenue corridor and Farragut Square Park. This free, outdoor experience featured captivating public art, engaging events, and inviting outdoor furnishings that encouraged visitors and residents to explore, support businesses, and linger longer. Art Ave was experienced by more than 200,000 visitors, advancing downtown revitalization and establishing a replicable model for public space activation.  

“The Golden Triangle BID has demonstrated skillful application of urban place management principles with their creation of Art Ave,” said David Downey, IDA President and CEO. “The immersive, people-focused experience that Art Ave delivered should serve as a framework to all member communities within IDA.”

IDA is convening this September in Toronto for Intersections: Where Districts, Disciplines & Ideas Converge, a three-day conference to discuss emerging trends in place management. The Golden Triangle BID was recognized for their award-winning Art Ave project during the Downtown Achievement Awards ceremony at the 72nd Annual Conference & Marketplace, September 1-3, 2026. IDA’s Annual Conference & Marketplace is the premier gathering for professional place managers and urban champions creating vibrant and healthy cities around the world. The conference features educational sessions, Master Talks (short keynotes from industry leaders), marketplace exhibitors and networking opportunities.

Washington, DC-based IDA is the premier organization for urban place professionals who are shaping and activating dynamic city center districts. The Golden Triangle BID is the urban place management organization representing the interests of property owners in the Golden Triangle, in the middle of Washington DC’s downtown. 

About the Golden Triangle BID
The Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID) enhances the 172-block-area from the White House to Dupont Circle. The BID is known for providing the “gold standard” in clean, safe, and beautiful streets; strengthening economic development; and creating engaging public spaces that support a strong downtown. Actively evolving from primarily office to a mixed-use neighborhood, the Golden Triangle is flourishing with conversion projects, public realm enhancements, and major new attractions that are unlocking opportunities to transform downtown and engage an increasingly livable and global community. For more information, visit goldentriangledc.com and follow the BID on Instagram, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

About IDA
The International Downtown Association (IDA) is the premier organization for urban place professionals who are shaping and activating dynamic city center districts. Our members are city builders and downtown champions who bring urban centers to life, bridging the gap between the public and private sectors. We represent an industry of more than 2,500 place management organizations, employing 100,000 people throughout North America and growing rapidly around the world. Founded in 1954, IDA is a resource center for ideas and innovative best practices in urban place management. For more information, visit downtown.org.

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SOURCE Golden Triangle Business Improvement District