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Witt’s Work to Uplift Southwest Residents, Area through the Business Improvement District

October 15, 2025

Andre Witt, the chief operating officer of the Southwest Business Improvement District (BID), is working to improve quality of life in Southwest DC amid major developmental changes planned by both local and federal administrations. Witt leads a team of Ambassadors who manage 53 areas of public space and has established programs that go beyond traditional BID services, including food distribution to underserved residents and the BID Academy training program. Under his leadership, the Southwest BID collaborates with Mayor Bowser's administration on initiatives like the $3 million Mobility Innovation District project launched in 2022.

Who is affected

  • Southwest DC residents across various income levels
  • Underserved residents in public housing communities
  • Visitors to Southwest DC
  • BID Ambassadors and employees
  • Local businesses and organizations in Southwest DC
  • Returning citizens who gain employment opportunities
  • Arthur Capper Senior Residence Building fire victims

What action is being taken

  • Witt and his team manage 53 areas of public space in Southwest DC
  • The BID operates a food distribution program for underserved residents
  • The Southwest BID hosts events addressing urban loneliness
  • Witt runs the BID Academy, providing personal and professional skills training for Ambassadors
  • The BID coordinates daily team formations for planning and support
  • The organization prioritizes diversity in hiring, particularly women
  • The Southwest BID collaborates with the city on the Mobility Innovation District project

Why it matters

  • Southwest DC is facing significant change due to federal plans to sell buildings and local economic development
  • The quadrant has the highest concentration of public housing in the District
  • The BID's work bridges diverse communities with significant income disparities
  • The Ambassadors program helps employees achieve economic stability (buying homes, sending children to college)
  • Witt's leadership provides both practical services and emotional support for staff and residents
  • The BID's work contributes to cleaner, safer neighborhoods
  • The organization creates employment opportunities for returning citizens

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer

Witt’s Work to Uplift Southwest Residents, Area through the Business Improvement District