Dupont Circle BID Appoints Colleen Hawkinson as Executive Director

9/6/18

Colleen Hawkinson

The Board of Directors of the newly formed Dupont Circle Business Improvement District (BID) announced today that Colleen Hawkinson has joined the organization as its executive director. The Dupont Circle BID, the 11th in DC, was formed in March 2018 and will officially begin operations this October.

Hawkinson most recently served as the manager of strategic planning at the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), where she led the development of DDOT’s State Transportation Improvement Plan. She has 20 years of experience in urban planning focused on economic development, strategic initiatives, and capital planning. Prior to working at DDOT, Hawkinson worked in the nonprofit and private sectors and will bring her well-rounded expertise to the iconic Dupont Circle neighborhood.

“The vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood bustles with urbane shops and restaurants, welcoming events, and the city’s most international amenities,” said Michael Kain, Chair of the Dupont Circle BID Board of Directors. “Colleen’s experience with public space programming, strong planning background, and collaborative project delivery will serve the BID well. We are thrilled to have her on board to establish and guide the BID toward future success.”

Working with neighborhood partners and long-time stakeholders, Hawkinson will oversee place management and placemaking efforts to position the iconic neighborhood as a cosmopolitan, welcoming gathering place. The BID will champion the 150 restaurants, 80 shops and 70 embassies that call Dupont Circle home, frequented by the 22,000 people who live within a half-mile of the neighborhood.Notably for Dupont Circle, there are two significant transportation and public space projects in the works for the neighborhood: a streetscape improvement project along Connecticut Avenue NW from Dupont Circle to California Avenue; and the “Cap Plaza,” a transformative project that will create a new, programmable public space over Connecticut Avenue.

“Dupont Circle is one of DC’s most internationally recognized spots, yet it’s a sought-after place to live and work, too,” said Hawkinson. “With its vibrant small and local businesses, plus its cultural and historical significance, it has become a quintessential public space experience. I look forward to working with the board and all the BID partners as we develop a clear vision for a clean, safe, and energetic community.”

As the leader of DDOT’s State Transportation Improvement Plan, a six-year funding plan, Hawkinson fully understands the importance of building strong partnerships while implementing short- and long-term neighborhood plans. She received a national planning award for her leadership in developing moveDC, DDOT’s popular long-range strategic mobility plan.

About Dupont Circle BID

The Dupont Circle Business Improvement District (BID) is a nonprofit formed in 2018 to elevate the iconic Dupont Circle neighborhood with public space management, strategic marketing, and economic development initiatives. With more than $25 million in public investment planned for a new plaza and streetscape improvements along Connecticut Avenue NW, the BID is poised to energize the neighborhood with increased cleaning services, brand management, events and more. More than 150 restaurants, 80 shops and 70 embassies call Dupont Circle home, frequented by the 22,000 people who live within a half-mile of the neighborhood.The Dupont Circle BID covers approximately 11 blocks in the commercial district, including Dupont Circle, P Street NW, Massachusetts Avenue, and Connecticut Avenue from the Circle to California Street NW. To learn more about the organization, visit www.dupontcirclebid.org.

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