Big Wins. Real Momentum. Downtown Rising.
Over the past year, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore alongside our partners and community delivered major wins that fueled small businesses, activated public spaces, and strengthened the heart of our city. These accomplishments aren’t just milestones, they’re proof of what’s possible when we work together, and they set the tone for even bigger impact ahead.
1. Downtown Partnership of Baltimore Collected and Removed More Than 1.8 Million Pounds of Waste
Through disciplined operations, coordinated staffing, and optimized collection strategies, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore (DPOB) successfully collected and removed more than 1.8 million pounds of waste from the Downtown district. This metric represents a sustained daily effort, effective deployment of resources, and a commitment to maintaining clean and functional public spaces at scale. The outcome demonstrates DPOB’s capacity to manage complex sanitation demands while protecting the public realm and reinforcing confidence in Downtown stewardship.
2. New Planters Add Greenery and Improve Downtown’s Streetscape
In 2025, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore deployed 425 new planters in targeted locations to soften hardscapes, define pedestrian zones, and create visual continuity across key corridors. Beyond aesthetics, planters support placemaking, improve streetscape perception, and signal intentional care of public spaces. This initiative, funded with state capital funds administered through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, reflects Downtown Partnership of Baltimore’s commitment to environmental enhancement, seasonal vibrancy, and a Downtown environment that encourages foot traffic and extended use.
3. Baltimore Culinary Exchange Drives Downtown Restaurant Growth
To sustain and grow Downtown’s culinary scene, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore (DPOB), with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), launched the Baltimore Culinary Exchange (BCX) to strengthen existing or new restaurant businesses, food entrepreneurs and/or culinary concepts within the Downtown Management Authority district. DPOB awarded $1 million in BCX grants to 22 existing or new food service businesses to support property improvements, the purchase of essential equipment, inventory acquisition and marketing.
4. More Than 1,000 Hours of Power Washing Enhance Downtown Streets and Plazas
Through strategic investment of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore (DPOB) has led a transformative effort to enhance the cleanliness and appeal of Downtown Baltimore’s pedestrian walkways. In the past year alone, more than 1,000 hours have been dedicated to power washing sidewalks, plazas, and heavily trafficked corridors, reaffirming its commitment to creating a welcoming and vibrant urban environment.
5. Downtown Partnership of Baltimore Awarded Additional $2 Million to Build Strategic Operations Center
Downtown Partnership of Baltimore President Shelonda Stokes testified at the State House in Annapolis to secure additional funding for Downtown Baltimore’s new Strategic Operations Center (SOC), an initiative designed to improve coordination, responsiveness and accountability across Downtown. Funds to date have totaled $9 Million. Working with key partners, such as the University of Maryland, Baltimore, significant progress related to the SOC has been made with testing during the pilot phase to occur next year.
6. The Baltimore City Planning Commission Formally Adopted the Downtown RISE Master Plan
In Fall 2025, The Baltimore City Planning Commission formally adopted the Downtown RISE Master Plan, which calls for a more walkable, pedestrian-oriented, vibrant Downtown. This 10-year plan serves as a clear guide to measuring Downtown’s progress, aligning Downtown investments and holding stakeholders accountable. This work would not be possible without Downtown Partnership of Baltimore convening partners from the private and public sectors and maintaining the city’s core as a desired destination for individuals to live, work, invest and play.
7. Four New BOOST Businesses Locate Downtown
Cohort 3 was announced in 2025, with four new businesses benefitting from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and wrap-around services to fill vacant storefronts in the Downtown Management Authority district. Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs who oversees and monitors ARPA funding, announced the new tenants in the spring of 2025. Among the awardees, Byrd’s Eye View and Neon Paint Place opened for business in 2025. Kaizen Beauty and Tribe Social Cafe are under construction and will be opening the new year!
8. New Pet Waste Stations Promote Cleanliness and Responsibility Downtown
Downtown Partnership of Baltimore continues to invest in practical infrastructure that directly supports cleanliness, public health, and responsible use of shared spaces. The deployment and maintenance of 38 pet waste stations, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), represent a proactive approach to reducing sidewalk contamination, improving pedestrian experience, and supporting dog-friendly urban living throughout the Downtown Management Authority footprint. This initiative contributes to safer walkways, improved aesthetics, and a more welcoming environment for residents, workers, and visitors alike.
9. DPOB Doubles Trash Truck Capacity in the Downtown Management Authority District
To increase the efficiency and effectiveness of trash removal in the Downtown Management Authority (DMA) district, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore (DPOB) acquired a new trash truck in 2025. Manually removing more than 60 bags of trash from a pick-up truck every time the truck went to the dump, which could be up to five trips a day, is a thing of the past! Now DPOB has two trash vehicles canvassing 106 blocks of the DMA.
10. State of Downtown Highlights Baltimore’s Evolution
Nearly 600 Baltimore-area corporate, civic, and non-profit leaders attended Downtown Partnership of Baltimore’s State of Downtown event in March 2025 and heard how Downtown Baltimore is evolving. From successful office-to-residential conversions transforming more than 1.8 million square feet of vacant space to retail resurging with 93% occupancy and a 96% post-pandemic recovery rate. The 2024 State of Downtown report demonstrated how public-private investment, a growing cultural scene and new businesses and entrepreneurs are fostering an environment where residents, visitors, and businesses can thrive.
11. The 4th Cohort of the BOOST Program Launches to Bring New Retail Downtown
Made possible with generous support from JPMorganChase, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore released the application for the next round of BOOST in December 2025. In addition to funding, participating businesses will participate in Chase’s Coaching for Impact program.
12. CITIBIN Trash Receptacles Reimagine Waste Management in Downtown Baltimore
In alignment with its strategic goals around sustainability, operational efficiency, and urban beautification, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore (DPOB) deployed more than 195 CITIBIN trash receptacles across the Downtown Management Authority footprint. With support from state capital funding administered through the Maryland Department of General Services, these bins, which are engineered for secure, organized, and visually appealing waste management, have transformed how DPOB handles refuse and recycling in high-traffic areas Downtown.
13. Downtown Partnership of Baltimore and Stakeholders Determine Strategic Focus and Priorities over the Next Five Years Inspiring A Vibrant Downtown
In the summer of 2025, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore (DPOB) went to work developing the strategic plan for the next five years, FY26 through FY31. DPOB’s strategic plan is the framework to catalyze a vibrant Downtown, achieved through meaningful programming, thoughtful development, and the alignment of key Downtown leaders. For DPOB to advance a more vibrant, safe and thriving Downtown, the plan establishes four strategic priorities: Downtown’s Physical and Experiential Transformation, Collaborative Leadership, Financial Sustainability and Resources, and Organizational Effectiveness.
14. Jazzy Summer Nights Brings Culture, Entertainment and Vibes Back to Hopkins Plaza
Downtown Partnership of Baltimore worked with The Finn Group, who also partnered with D Chase Presents, to have Jazzy Summer Nights return to Hopkins Plaza for its 25th and final year. More than 2,500 people came out every first Thursday between May – October to enjoy live music, drinks, food and an amazing vibe. The rotating lineup of artists spanned from neo-soul to go-go. The final show in the series occurred at War Memorial Plaza in front of City Hall.
15. Aggregate Crime Activity in the Downtown Management Authority Footprint Declined Approximately 25%
DPOB strengthened its public safety infrastructure through an expanded collaboration with the Baltimore Police Department, the Strategic Safety Alliance, community partners, and key stakeholders across the Downtown Management Authority. The results are a significant public safety win. Within the Downtown footprint, aggregate crime activity in 2025 declined approximately 25% year-over-year compared to 2024. This reduction translated to fewer critical incident events, diminished emergency response disruptions, and greater operational continuity across Downtown public spaces. Notable category-level improvements include a 58% reduction in shoplifting, a 35% decline in auto theft, a 35% decrease in burglary, a 31% reduction in vandalism, and a 24% drop in robbery incidents.
16. Fifteen New Board Members Bring Their Talent and Expertise to Support and Enhance Downtown Baltimore
Downtown Partnership of Baltimore welcomed 15 new board members, bringing fresh energy, experience, and perspective to our work. The new members represent our community, including major institutions, global companies, small businesses, residential associations, nonprofits, and some of the region’s largest employers. It’s a diverse group of leaders committed to building a better Baltimore.
17. Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Remains in Downtown Baltimore for the Next Four Years
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and Baltimore City, with major support from Visit Baltimore, inked the deal to remain in Downtown Baltimore through 2029. The extended contract builds on the tournament’s five-year history in the city. The 2025 tournament brought an estimated 15,000 student-athletes and fans to the city, and served as a tribute to female athletes, with a women’s empowerment town hall and other events that focused on leaders in women’s sports. Downtown Partnership of Baltimore routinely partners with the city and the CIAA Committee to initiate events and activations, such as Black-Owned Restaurant Tour (BORT) and Hoops n’ Happenings, to ensure both residents and visitors alike, have a delightful and engaging CIAA experience.
18. Residential Conversions Continue to Bring New Residents to Downtown’s Core
The momentum for residential development persisted in 2025 with the delivery of new apartments on the Howard Street corridor. Projects in 2025 included:
• The Xander Apartments – With support from the State of Maryland Revitalization Program, this project converted a long-vacant, five-story structure into 19 apartment units.
• Vision on Lombard – Conversion of the former Holiday Inn into 246 apartment units.
19. Artscape Transforms Downtown into a Destination of Creativity
For the very first time, Artscape was held Downtown to give the region a lift and create lasting opportunities for the local arts scene. The festival utilized space under the Jones Fall Expressway for new murals and light installations, which Downtown Partnership of Baltimore contributed to, in addition to power washing and cleaning the overall area to enhance the experience for visitors. The new location turned out to be a success (the weather helped), and Downtown Baltimore was transformed into vibrant hubs of artistic energy.
20. 2025 Annual Meeting Draws More Than 600 Business and Civic Leaders to Share Progress and Outline What’s Next for Downtown
Presented by Baker Donelson and hosted at the M&T Bank Exchange at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, this year’s event welcomed more than 600 guests, representing 320 companies, to celebrate the work Downtown Partnership of Baltimore and its partners are doing every day to build a vibrant neighborhood, increase investment, and expand opportunities for small businesses. Unveiled at the Annual Meeting, this year’s annual report theme was Downtown by Design. As expected, the annual report provided an organizational overview to include finances, as well as initiatives and milestones highlighting each of the organization’s departments. This year’s Annual Meeting was themed after Saturday Night Live (SNL) and the highlight of the night was an SNL-style skit entitled, “Downtown Update,” featuring Baltimore Development Corporation President Otis Rolley, Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott, and Downtown Partnership of Baltimore President Shelonda Stokes. Check the recap out HERE!
21. Demand for Events and Festivals Continue to Grow in Downtown Baltimore
Downtown Baltimore continues to be a hub of activity thanks to CFG Arena, who, once again, was named the 4th highest grossing venue in North America this year. Add on events, such as Artscape, Maryland Cycling Classic, Charm City Live, Baltimore x Baltimore, Preakness Festival, Bromo Art Walk, Christmas Village and Wine Village, Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve Fireworks, Army Navy Game plus shows at The Hippodrome, Everyman Theatre and Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, and Downtown isn’t just a hub, it’s a destination full of activations, culture and creativity!
22. Pompeian Joins Baltimore Restaurant Week as Title Sponsor
Downtown Partnership of Baltimore curates and promotes Baltimore Restaurant Week, which highlights the city’s eclectic and award-winning restaurants, while encouraging residents and visitors to support local businesses. Hosted biannually in the winter and the summer, Restaurant Week features approximately 75 restaurants. With Pompeian on board as title sponsor, DPOB is able to increase advertising and exposure contributing to Restaurant Week’s overall success.
23. Pratt Street Market Breaks Records in 2025
Pratt Street Market, presented by PNC Bank, provides Downtown Baltimore residents, employees, and visitors access to lunch options, products from local makers, and more! This year, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore received the most Pratt Street Market vendor registrations ever and for the very first time the organization debuted Pratt Street Market @ Night on July 4th to align with the city’s fireworks celebration.
24. Downtown Baltimore’s Crook Horner Lofts Recognized with Award of Excellence from Urban Land Institute Americas
The Urban Land Institute (ULI) named the Howard Street redevelopment project, Crook Horner Lofts, one of ten winners throughout North and South America for its prestigious Award of Excellence. Recognition of the preservation and positive economic impact of this project highlights the historic building stock in Downtown Baltimore and demonstrates how the thoughtful reimagining of vacant structures can add vibrancy to our core.
25. House of Melo Debuts at Enoch Pratt Free Library in Downtown Management Authority District
House of Melo, an interactive tribute and community empowerment symposium honoring 2025 NBA Hall of Famer, Carmelo Anthony, and his hometown, Baltimore, MD., launched October 2025 at the Enoch Pratt Free Library located in Downtown Partnership of Baltimore’s Downtown Management Authority district. The exhibition highlighted Carmelo Anthony’s youth and his introduction to the game of basketball in Baltimore. Hundreds of kids and basketball enthusiasts made their way to the library to either learn something new about the legend or to remember what made him so great. The exhibition ran through December 2025 and was definitely a highlight of the year.
