The Dumbo Business Improvement District will celebrate its 20th anniversary on Wednesday, May 6, with a public block party and the release of new data highlighting the neighborhood’s two-decade transformation.
The celebration will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Dumbo Archway Plaza, immediately following the organization’s annual meeting at the Dumbo Loft. Formed in 2006, the BID—now known as Team Dumbo—is one of 75 such districts in New York City tasked with neighborhood advocacy, sanitation, and public realm management.
New data to be released at the event indicates that retail businesses in the district have increased by 310% since the BID’s inception. According to the organization, 92% of these businesses are independently owned and 70% are women-owned.
“Can you believe we’ve been at this for two decades?” said Alexandria Sica, president of the Dumbo Business Improvement District. “Dumbo is such a special place, and it is our great pleasure to support and uplift the businesses, artists, families, and community members who really make this neighborhood shine.”
Over the past 20 years, the BID has overseen more than $125 million in street and infrastructure rehabilitation and the creation of public spaces, including the Pearl Street Triangle and Old Fulton Plaza. The district is now home to 170 working artist studios and headquarters for companies such as Etsy and Rent the Runway.
As part of the anniversary, the BID announced the 2026 “Dumbo Dozen” awardees, honoring creative visionaries including architect Bjarke Ingels, chocolatier Jacques Torres, and Susan Feldman of St. Ann’s Warehouse.
“For 20 years, the Dumbo BID has helped shape Dumbo into a vibrant, dynamic, mixed-use neighborhood,” said Councilmember Lincoln Restler. “Their support for local businesses, activation of public spaces, and commitment to strengthening the quality of life for the whole community have been integral to the neighborhood’s success.”
The anniversary event also serves as the kickoff for the neighborhood’s monthly plaza happy hour, which will continue on the first Wednesday of every month through October.
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Lily Vakili is set to release her intimate six-song Live Wire EP May 8 (pre-save here). Recorded with her collaborator, the Grammy-Award winning, Emmy-nominated producer/engineer Reed Turchi, Live Wire an old-school, live in-studio, audio and video recording of songs named for what fans and critics alike say is a perfect description of her charismatic performance style. She will be playing a special EP release show in NYC on May 6 at Francis Kite Club – get tickets here and in Philadelphia May 20 at Nikki Lopez – get tickets here.
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