As we welcome 2017 we do so with enthusiasm from a remarkable and productive 2016. We look forward to the year ahead with great energy and dedication for the work we love. In 2016 the BID celebrated its fifth anniversary with our members, collaborators, community supporters and more. As we continue to revitalize downtown, property values have risen steadily through the last five years -- with the assessed values of BID commercial real estate going from $4.5 billion in 2011 up to $6.5 billion in 2016. Our Clean & Hospitality Ambassador program continues to make a positive difference by assisting 121,243 people in 2016, including providing maps, directions, helping stranded motorists and even taking photos so everyone can be in the picture.

This past year we engaged hundreds of individuals in a Strategic Plan to guide us through the next five years to further the growth of Downtown Boston. We listened to what people wanted and created several destination-based events, including the first-ever Taste of Downtown Crossing, which was a delicious success. Held in late September, the event featured more than 20 local restaurants providing salivating samples to more than 1,000 attendees -- and we are already planning for another exciting Taste in 2017. This holiday season we ended the year bringing joy to the district with three caroling groups and three bands traveling throughout the district performing holiday songs. We also worked with community partners in numerous ways, including authoring and conducting reports, analysis and surveys, such as studying pedestrian flows and uses in Downtown Crossing. 

In 2016 Downtown Crossing truly became a hot neighborhood for businesses and residents and remains one of Boston's fastest growing residential neighborhoods. Millennium Tower opened its doors to residents and the surrounding Shoppers Park reopened, as did the Franklin Street MBTA entrance with the stadium-like steps atop the outside of the station for everyone to sit, enjoy lunch or just people watch. The Godfrey Hotel Boston opened and quickly become a favorite spot for visitors. Downtown Boston is also now a hot spot for foodies, with new high-end restaurants opening, including PABU in Millennium Tower, RUKA in the Godfrey Hotel Boston, haley.henry wine bar on Province Street and more. Other restaurants opened to great fanfare such as two sweetgreen stores (on School and Summer streets), VERTS Mediterranean Grill on Summer Street and Ziggy's Cafe at the top of Bromfield Street.

This coming year will be even more exciting in Downtown Boston! More residential units will be added, as will more commercial businesses, which you can read about more in the feature article below.

While Downtown Boston is now known as a hip and happening place it did not happen overnight and there are many people to thank. We are grateful for our dedicated and committed board of directors, our members, residents, property and business owners and non-profit organizations. We especially want to acknowledge and thank Mayor Martin J. Walsh and his administration for their continued commitment, engagement and partnership in our continued growth to keep Downtown Crossing as one of the top destinations in the world to live, work, visit and go to school.

In closing, on behalf of our board of directors, and every member of the BID team, I would like to thank you for your continued support. We look forward to continued success as we work together furthering this unprecedented transformation.

Happy New Year to everyone!

Sincerely,

Rosemarie E. Sansone

President & CEO

Downtown Boston BID