Mark Simpson warns recession lights are flashing red in Downtown DC
Updated
Updated · WTOP · May 7
Mark Simpson warns recession lights are flashing red in Downtown DC
8 articles · Updated · WTOP · May 7
At Thursday’s State of Downtown Forum, Simpson said Washington was the only nearby jurisdiction with negative 2025 job growth and remained below pre-pandemic employment levels, with 2026 data also showing losses.
He said 2025 foot traffic got an early boost from the inauguration, return-to-office mandates and WorldPride, but momentum faded; museum and Capital One Arena visits rose while theatre traffic slipped.
Business leaders pointed to housing and university expansion as recovery opportunities, while Mayor Muriel Bowser urged successors not to neglect downtown, warning against backtracking on public safety or business-friendly growth policies.
D.C. faces recession with record tourism and falling crime. What is the real story of the city's economy?
As federal layoffs and remote work reshape the city, what does the future of Downtown D.C. actually look like?