| www.downtowndc.org/update |
January 2010 |
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| BID BIZ |
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Preparing for the Future
Job growth in Downtown and the rest of DC has not benefited many of the city’s lower skilled residents,
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Mayor Adrian M. Fenty announced a workforce pilot program targeted at putting young adults ages 18 through 24 on the path to new career opportunities.
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including young people who lack college degrees. The Downtown BID welcomes two interns as part of a cooperative arrangement with the DC Department of Employment Services’ (DOES) new Young Adult Internship Program (YAIP). The interns are getting a leg up on the job market from the BID.
The workforce pilot program targets youth who are 18 to 24 years of age and gives them an opportunity to work and learn invaluable skills, work habits and attitudes necessary to succeed in today’s workplace. The initiative, funded by a $3.9 million federal stimulus grant, will allow 500 underserved DC residents to gain practical work experience with local employers through March 2010.
"Over the years, the BID has been very involved in the city’s Summer Youth Employment Program," said Richard Bradley, executive director of the Downtown BID.
"This new program is a wonderful way to introduce young adults to critical real-world skills and proper work ethics through meaningful professional experiences at a time when the local unemployment rate has jumped to 11.8%."
The interns, Paris Nicholson and Burchelle Hewlett, are providing office assistance in the BID’s Marketing and Special Events Departments, respectively.
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The DC government pays the interns minimum wage, $8.25 per hour, for up to 24 hours of work per week. In addition to on-the-job experience, they also attend DOES weekly work readiness workshops. The classes promote life-skill development, work readiness skills, financial literacy, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. All program participants are assigned a case manager who assists, monitors, evaluates and empowers the interns. For more information about YAIP, visit www.youthjobs.dc.gov.
Retail Wish List
The third annual Downtown Neighborhood Survey will be available at www.downtowndc.org/neighborhood later this month.
Have ideas about the type of retail needed in Downtown? Here’s your chance to speak up! The survey, intended to gain a better understanding of the Downtown community, aid in attracting more retail and help improve the quality of life, is a helpful tool for attracting new and better retail to Downtown.
All you have to do is answer 30 brief questions. Participants are eligible to win wonderful prizes, including a weekend stay for two at the Hotel Monaco and gift certificates for dinner at a variety of Downtown restaurants. Last year, more than 1,000 Downtown residents and workers completed the survey. Let’s see if we can match or exceed that total.
The Downtown Neighborhood Association, the Downtown BID and the Penn Quarter Neighborhood Association are sponsoring this year’s survey.
Benefiting the Homeless
About 10 times a year, the BID's Downtown Homeless Services Team--a six-person homeless outreach unit-- conducts training workshops about the homeless to get the public, property managers, elected officials and other decision-makers to help homeless people in a positive way. Last month, Chet Grey, the BID’s Homeless Services director; Jonathan Ward, the team’s clinical director; two outreach workers; and Mark McConnell, a specially trained Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)/DC Department of Mental Health (DMH) Crisis Intervention Officer who has worked extensively with the BID to identify homeless individuals in need of permanent housing, participated in a well-
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The BID's Downtown Homeless Services Team in action
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attended Saturday workshop at Akridge (601 13th Street), the full-service commercial real estate firm.
Akridge held the training seminar for security officers. More than 100 officers, who provide building security for the company, were in attendance.
"Mr. Grey and his team brought a totally different perspective to the table on how services are provided to the homeless in our nation’s capital," said Mary Lynch, Akridge’s vice president of property management. "His emphasis was on a comprehensive package that includes immediate resources for care, assistance, rehabilitation and the ultimate goal, which is re-emergence into the community as an engaging working individual."
The Downtown Homeless Services Team connects with homeless people every day where they are in the community by building relationships, assessing their needs and connecting them to support services and housing, including helping to place more than 150 in permanent supportive housing over the past year. If you see someone who needs help during this time of the year, when the hypothermia season is in full swing, call the city's Hypothermia Hotline at (800) 535-7252.
Downtown Stewards
Richard H. Bradley, Downtown BID executive director, and his wife, Ellen McCarthy, director of planning and land use at Arent Fox LLP, were the joint recipients of the Partners for Livable Communities’ Entrepreneurial Leadership Award for their combined role in advancing a "renaissance" in Downtown DC using progressive urban planning techniques.
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Richard H. Bradley, Downtown BID executive director, and his wife, Ellen McCarthy, director of planning and land use at Arent Fox LLP
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The organization recognized the two for transforming the city’s urban core into an animated and livable public environment while serving in a variety of influential urban planning and community revitalization positions. For the last 11 years, Bradley has directed DC’s first and largest BID, which has more than 60 million square feet of commercial space and a $10 million annual budget. His work in DC began with his role as president of the International Downtown Association, where he advocated for vital and livable urban centers around the world.
McCarthy served as DC’s planning director under Mayor Anthony Williams. During her tenure, the Office of Planning (OP) created a comprehensive plan, the 2000 Downtown Action Agenda, as well as numerous and innovative revitalization plans for the city. Prior to becoming the planning director, she was OP’s deputy director of Development Review for Neighborhood Planning and Historic Preservation. In addition, she served for many years as the first executive director of the DC Downtown Partnership, a public/private collaboration to revitalize the Downtown.
"This husband and wife urban team has been-and continues to be-a major player in revitalizing the nation’s capital," said Robert H. McNulty, president and chief executive officer of Partners, a non-profit leadership organization working to restore and renew America’s communities.
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| DEVELOPMENT DOINGS |
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Not Out of the Woods Yet
DC’s commercial real estate market will remain lackluster throughout the year, although the office pipeline is still sizeable and will deliver a considerable amount of available space. This, according to the Washington, DC Economic Partnership’s (1495 F Street) latest DC Development Report 2009/2010 Edition, will cause the office vacancy rate to rise to a cyclical peak in 2010/2011. An uptick in office product is not expected for another 24 to 36 months.
The report, which provides an overview of the major development and construction projects in DC, tracks activity as far back as 2001 and focuses on the office, retail, residential, hospitality and education sectors and features development hot spots. Over the years, DC development projects have totaled 248 million square feet, with an estimated value of $74.5 billion.
Several Downtown projects, developers and architects are featured in the report. Among the top Downtown BID area office pipeline projects cited are 1522 K Street, the office condominium scheduled for delivery in 2010; CityCenter DC, the 520,000 SF Hines/Archstone mixed-use development slated for the Old Convention Center site, expected in 2013 [or 2014] and also listed as a top retail and residential pipeline project; the Lafayette Building (811 Vermont Avenue), the $226 million General Services Administration (GSA) development due in 2015; and 733 10th Street, the $85 million Skanska development, which includes a church, office and retail space, coming in 2011 and also listed as a top hospitality pipeline project.
The National Law Enforcement Museum (400 block of E Street) also made the top Downtown hospitality pipeline project list, while New York University’s 75,000 SF multipurpose DC Center slated for 1307 L Street made the top education list. In addition, Douglas Development Corporation (702 H Street) was named one of the city’s most active private developers with 20 projects. Eric Colbert & Associates PC (717 5th Street) was among the most active architects with 35 projects.
A section devoted to green development notes that by the end of 2011, DC will have more than 75 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified projects-including 37 Silver, 23 Gold and five Platinum buildings. DC’s Green Building Act of 2006 is fueling the number of LEED projects by requiring any nonresidential project or post-secondary educational buildings undergoing new construction or substantial improvements to meet LEED certification standards beginning in 2012, for properties 50,000 SF or more. Five of 20 completed projects with LEED Gold or higher certification cited in the report are Downtown: Edison Place (701 9th Street); 1101 New York Avenue; 1050 K Street; 1331 L Street; and 700 6th Street. The three of eight projects under construction with LEED Gold or higher certification are: Constitution Center (400 7th Street); 901 K Street; and 425 Eye Street.
The Last Stand
After sitting vacant for many years, the old Union Hardware building at 711 D Street and its attached neighbor, 709 D Street, are both getting a new lease on life. The non-historic facade on 711 D has been removed, as has its roof, which will be rebuilt a few feet higher. The design on the front elevation on the two-story building is being revised to raise it higher. In addition, the historic four-story brick building at 709 D will be renovated and its back wall reconstructed. Douglas Development Corporation (702 H Street) owns the buildings, which are connected on the first floor. Although it is unclear exactly how the properties will be used once redeveloped, the Historic Preservation Office says a restaurant could occupy the first floor, with office space on the upper floors. We’ll see.
 Free at Last
For the first time in 10 years, space is available at 1445 New York Avenue. The American Academy of Dermatology (1350 I Street) and the Reinsurance Association of America (1301 Pennsylvania Avenue) know all about it. Both have signed 10-year leases for 9,700 SF each in the nine-story,165,000 SF building. The dermatologists already have moved in; the insurance association arrives this summer. SunTrust, a major tenant, purchased the brick building 25 years ago and sold it for $87 million in 2007. The historic landmark is 67% leased, with 19,000 SF still available on the first floor, 23,500 SF on the third floor and 15,000 SF on the lower level and mezzanine.
Off to a Good Start
Despite these uncertain economic times, 20 F Street is preleasing at a steady clip. The new home of the American College of Surgeons, which broke ground last spring, is 30-35% preleased, a number that could climb to 50% by the end of the first quarter if deals with prospective tenants are finalized. Who’s on board now: the National Business Group on Health (50 F Street), which signed a 12-year lease to occupy the entire second floor, or 14,500 SF, of the 10-story building; the National Farmers Union, located at 400 North Capitol Street, has leased 6,700 SF; and a law firm that will inhabit 6,700 SF and three medical and health related organizations that will share a 3,500 SF suite have signed letters of intent. The American College of Surgeons, headquartered in Chicago with an office in Georgetown, will occupy the top floor, with 17,600 SF.
The office building offers amenities such as a fitness and conference center, a rooftop deck and a two-story atrium lobby. Base building will be completed by the end of this month, and tenants will begin to move in as early as this summer. Due to structural changes, the building’s square footage has been reduced from 165,000 to 162,268.
 Progress Along the Square
The Office of Planning (OP), in partnership with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), held a second public open house last month to discuss preliminary recommendations and design concepts and seek ideas about the Mount Vernon Square District Project. What emerged were a number of transportation alternatives; design principles for bowtie parks and "The Center"-Mount Vernon Square, the Carnegie Building (801 K Street), the Convention Center (801 Mount Vernon Place) and 8th Street NW; six core strategies and short-term actions centered around the transit hub, the Center, vibrant parks and open spaces and an active economy.
| The core strategies are designed to: |
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Make the Square the treasured center of surrounding neighborhoods |
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Aggregate streets, parks and plazas into a prominent network of high-quality open spaces |
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Build the precinct as the "greenest" urban quarter in the city |
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Transform the Square into a people magnet -with a dynamic mix of uses for locals and tourists |
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Develop a world-class pedestrian hub connecting transit-oriented retail and commercial corridors |
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Establish organizational structures to generate funding, ensure programming and long-term maintenance for the project area |
Some key short-term actions include conducting a workshop focused on the K Street transit way, the Square and future transit alignment; undertaking a conceptual design and space utilization study of key structures; pursuing stimulus and other funds for immediate implementation of an infill tree canopy project throughout the Mount Vernon Square District; developing a partnership initiative for oversight of federally owned and locally controlled parks; and getting zoning measures in place through the ongoing revisions process to ensure active ground uses fronting the Square.
A third public meeting is planned for next month. For more information and copies of past presentations, visit www.planning.dc.gov. Submit comments to Patricia Zingsheim at patricia.zingsheim@dc.gov or call (202) 442-8965.
Connecting the Dots
Last spring, the National Capital Planning Commission (401 9th Street), NCPC, and the US Commission of Fine Arts (401 F Street), CFA, signed off on The Monumental Core Framework Plan: Connecting New Destinations with the National Mall. Since then, various aspects of the plan, which aims to create vibrant and accessible destinations in the four federal precincts surrounding the Mall-including the Federal Triangle Precinct in Downtown-have moved forward.
One aspect of the plan calls for creating a publication that highlights best practices and the benefits and importance of increasing mixed uses in public buildings. That document will be available this month at www.ncpc.gov and on NCPC’s Facebook group. Discussions held at a NCPC public roundtable with public, private and non-profit sector representatives-including the Downtown BID, the General Services Administration (GSA), the Federal Protective Service and developers- soon after the Framework Plan was adopted last May provided the information contained in the publication and focused on how to integrate active mixed-uses such as retail and cultural offerings into the ground floor of federal buildings and enliven adjacent public spaces; work with individual agencies to address specific security concerns; and explore housing as a component in activating federal precincts.
The Framework Plan’s recommendations involve revitalizing several landmark federal buildings in Downtown-the Old Post Office Pavilion (1100 Pennsylvania Avenue), the FBI Headquarters Building (1000 E Street), also known as the J. Edgar Hoover Building, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Headquarters Building at 1111 Constitution Avenue. NCPC will initiate a study this year to assess federal building policy and how more active uses and spaces can be included in them. As part of that study, NCPC is exploring a pilot project to highlight the benefits, identify the opportunities and address the physical and operational challenges that must be overcome for federal office precincts to contribute to a walkable, engaging and economically vibrant community.
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| DOWNTOWN DISH |
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 Frozen Goodness
Get ready for another frozen yogurt shop. Red Mango will open Downtown in an undisclosed Chinatown location early this year, joining recent arrivals Yogen Fruz (825 14th Street) and TangySweet (675 E Street). Dallas-based Red Mango has 68 stores in 15 states. The fast-growing retailer of all natural, nonfat frozen yogurt (original, green tea, pomegranate by POM Wonderful and tangomonium flavors) also sells blenders and probiotic iced teas that help support digestive health and maintain the immune system. The company could open as many as 15 stores in the metropolitan Washington area in the next few years, including a second DC location in either Downtown or Georgetown. For more information, visit www.redmangousa.com.
Pretzels and More
All the shops and stores at Gallery Place are now 100% leased. The newest arrivals: Auntie Anne’s and Crepes on the Walk, both located in two alley kiosks on Gallery Walk at 7th and G Streets. They join a third kiosk tenant, Smoothie King, which opened last year. Auntie Anne’s sells pretzel products that are "mixed, twisted and baked to golden brown perfection." An original Auntie Anne’s pretzel contains five grams of fat, but we can’t vouch for the fat content in the cheese, caramel and cream cheese dips! The franchise has more than 1,000 locations worldwide and several local stores, including at Union Station. For more information, visit www.auntieannes.com.
The fare at Crepes on the Walk, the new creperie offering 20 sweet and savory crepes filled with fresh fruit, vegetables or meats, is prepared to order and served fresh off the griddle. The most popular items: nutella banana, apple brown sugar and cinnamon, cheese avocado tomatoes and cheese, ham and egg. If you had the chance to try Crepes-a-Go-Go near DuPont Circle, you’ll love these favorite French pancakes. Local businessman Mourad Kacimi owns both locations and a third spot in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Crepes on the Walk is open Monday through Thursday, from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm; Fridays from 8:00 am to midnight; Saturdays from 11:00 am to midnight; and Sundays from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Flipped Out
Who says a burger has to be boring? Not the folks at Flip Burger Boutique, which is considering a burger restaurant in Downtown later this year. The Atlanta-based operation offers a diverse mix of burgers-including hand-ground hanger steak, brisket, short rib, turkey, American wagyu beef, organic grass-fed beef, osso buce (braised veal patty), shrimp patty-salads, fried vegetables and exotic milkshakes (Krispy Kreme, nutella and burnt marshmallow, spicy chocolate mole, to name a few). Flip Burger’s creative director, Richard Blais, has appeared on Top Chef and Iron Chef America. For more information, visit www.flipburgerboutique.com.
Culinary Contest
The dining competition of the year has kicked off. The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is accepting nominations for the 2010 RAMMY Awards through January 27. The awards recognize the best restaurants in the metropolitan Washington area and include categories such as Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year, Wine Program of the Year, New Restaurant of the Year and Rising Culinary Star of the Year. Last year, Downtown BID area establishments walked away with prestigious honors in six of 18 categories. For more information, visit www.ramw.org.
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| AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD |
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Walking History Lessons
The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), with assistance from Cultural Tourism DC (1250 H Street), is working on a Federal Triangle assessment report to expand the city’s heritage trails into the federal precincts--Federal Triangle, Northwest Rectangle, Southwest Rectangle and Potomac Park--and improve linkages between Downtown and the National Mall. The report, which may be presented at the 12-member Commission meeting next month, will identify the cultural and civic assets, potential trail routes and actions necessary to build a heritage trail. The General Services Administration (GSA), the National Park Service (NPS), individual federal agencies located within the Federal Triangle and the DC government also helped to coordinate this effort. Stay tuned to learn of the Commission’s action and the next steps for this project, or visit www.ncpc.gov.
Funding the Arts
Woolly Mammoth Theater Company (641 D Street), which is celebrating its 30th season developing, promoting and producing some of the most brazen, funny, challenging and provocative plays in town, was the only Downtown beneficiary of a recent arts-related stimulus grant. The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities partnered with the National Endowment of the Arts to award $240,000 in federal grants to help 10 DC arts groups support critical staff positions that were in jeopardy of being wiped out or had been eliminated because of the economic slump. Woolly Mammoth received $19,000 to support a position that focuses on community and audience engagement for the balance of the 2009-2010 season, from January to June 2010.
Say Cheese
Tsaknis Dental Group (1221 Massachusetts Avenue) expanded its reach further into Downtown last month, opening a second DC location in space formerly occupied by the Bead Museum (703 D Street), which closed in December 2008. The new Penn Quarter establishment goes by the name of DentalBug.com. Dr. John Tsaknis, the owner, and his associates, provide dentistry for people of all ages and focus on preventive, cosmetic, restorative and reconstructive work. Also good to know: they do same-day crowns and uses state-of-the-art technology, including lasers and digital imaging. For more information, visit www.dentalbug.com.
Surfing the Net
If you ever wondered about the top Google searches in DC, the Washington Business Journal has the answer. A recent article ranked the Top 10 local searches. Four Downtown businesses made the list. Blackboard Inc. (650 Massachusetts Avenue) ranked No. 1 for operating the Fairfax County Public Schools’ 24/7 resource for students, parents and teachers, which is accessible at http://fcps.blackboard.com and www.fcps.edu/fcps247.htm. Landmark E Street Cinema (555 11th Street) took second place (www.landmarktheatres.com). The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), located at 600 5th Street, ranked sixth (www.wmata.com). Last, but not least, the Washington Sports Club, which has 19 clubs in DC, Maryland and Virginia-including two Downtown locations at 1345 F Street and 783 7th Street-came in ninth (www.mysportsclub.com).
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| GREEN GAINS |
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Building Efficient Communities
Last month, the city wasted no time meeting a deadline to apply for $35 million in stimulus funding through the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program. EECBG provides funds to local and state government to develop and implement projects to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions in their communities. Specifically, DC is seeking a competitive award under the Retrofit Ramp-Up program, which recognizes innovative programs that are structured to provide whole-neighborhood building energy retrofits for a large percentage of the residential, commercial and public buildings in a community. This spring, DOE will make 8 to 20 awards ranging from $5 million to $75 million.
Kudos to the city for responding quickly. It was no easy feat. In addition to the various city agencies involved in the process, several private sector organizations-including the Downtown BID; Pepco (701 9th Street); the Golden Triangle BID; the Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington (AOBA); several energy consortiums; and major regional, national and international non-profit partners-participated. The Retrofit Ramp-Up program encourages innovative partnerships between the public and private sector, utility retrofit and audit programs, alternative financing, retail partnerships and others.
Meanwhile, as the city awaits word on the stimulus award, the DC City Council has introduced legislation to create an ongoing Evergreen Fund, which would be available to all building types in the city and be used to leverage and expand the Downtown BID’s "Greening Downtown DC" initiative to a larger area of the downtown core, including the Golden Triangle, West End/George Washington University and the community around the Kennedy Center and the Watergate complex. The BID’s greening program promotes energy efficiency and reduces dependency on carbon-based fuels. It has four components: greening existing buildings, improving office tenants’ green practices, greening the public environment, and increasing transportation options.
 Tree Power
Who knew trees could help curtail crime and domestic violence, improve economies and aid in hospital patients’ recovery? According to the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), the psychological and economic benefits of trees rank right up there with aesthetics, improved air quality and reduced stormwater runoff-and there are plenty of national and international studies to prove it! Hence, the city has begun planting more than 3,000 new street trees citywide and is recruiting DC residents to help water, mulch and monitor the health of specific trees in the first two years after planting.
The move coincides with a part of Mayor Adrian Fenty’s Green DC Agenda goal to expand the city’s tree canopy-the percentage of the ground that has tree cover overhead-and establish DC as one of the world’s premier green cities. Healthy tree canopies reduce stormwater runoff, carbon emissions and energy consumption.
 DDOT’s Urban Forestry Administration (UFA) will begin planting the new trees in Downtown by May and also will plant 100 elm trees primarily in Wards 2 and 6-which includes the Downtown BID area-in a partnership with Casey Trees (1123 11th Street). The trees will help improve Downtown’s physical environment, thus adding to ongoing collaborative beatification efforts by the Downtown BID, the National Park Service (NPS), UFA, Casey Trees and Downtown property managers. To check the planting schedule, visit http://trees.ddot.dc.gov. Interested in receiving free watering bags and instructions from UFA on how to care for the trees? Call 202.671.5133. To access some studies on how the urban forest influences peoples’ perceptions and behaviors as well as business districts, visit http://lhhl.illinois.edu, www.naturewithin.info, and http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1127944.
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| TRANSPORTATION TALK |
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 A Favorite for K
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has selected a preferred design alternative-a two-lane center transit way with loading zones-to redesign and reconstruct K Street between Washington Circle and Mount Vernon Square. DDOT signaled its preference for Alternative 2 in a Federal Register notice announcing the availability of a Finding of No Significant Impact for the K Street Project. DDOT already has applied for competitive transportation stimulus funds and will know next month whether the US Department of Transportation has selected it to complete the project design and begin construction. Richard H. Bradley, executive director of the Downtown BID, supported Alternative 2 as the design option in testimony at an October DDOT hearing on the K Street environmental assessment. The continuous two-lane center transit way, with enhanced sidewalks and streetscapes running the length of the entire corridor, promotes more efficient surface transit operations and creates better experiences in the public realm for pedestrians. It also preserves a flexible curb lane to meet the commercial and retail demands of this iconic street.
Metro Boost
The Downtown BID has been instrumental in bringing the business community together to support dedicated funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). A structural deficiency in the regional transit authority’s framework has resulted in a lack of dedicated funding. All eyes are on President Obama, who is expected to sign a much-anticipated bill that includes $150 million of federal funding for WMATA. DC, Virginia and Maryland are waiting for federal input before providing another $150 million ($50 million each) to match the federal payment. Once the bill is signed, each jurisdiction will move forward with the payments.
"We’re delighted to see the federal government assuming its rightful role in a dedicated Metro funding partnership along with DC, Maryland and Virginia," said Richard H. Bradley, executive director of the Downtown BID. "Metro is the fundamental source of our area’s transit network for the 21st Century. Everything we do for surface transit-the DC Circulator, streetcars and even expanding bike sharing-builds off a strong Metro system."
Congress passed a $1.5 billion, 10 year-funding plan for Metro last year. The appropriations bill, if signed by the president, will include the first $150 million payment for WMATA. The combined $300 million payment from the federal government, DC, Virginia and Maryland mainly will fund safety improvements; only a small portion will be used for capital needs, including computer systems.
Bike Smart
It may be January, but it’s not too early to begin thinking about Bike-to-Work Day, which rolls around on May 21. Employers and employees interested in a long-term bike strategy would do well to tap into the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government’s (COG) online guide entitled "Bicycling to Work in the Washington Area." It spells out the reasons why employees should bike to work-decreased absenteeism and turnover due to better physical fitness, increased productivity, reduced parking and health care costs-and has information on how employers can support biking to work and fund bike programs. Besides being healthy and economical, bicycling is a quiet, clean and fun way to get to work, particularly now that DC has 43 miles of bike lanes. According to COG, peak-hour cycling doubled in the region from 2004 to 2009. To access COG’s bike guide, visit www.mwcog.org/commuter2/commuter/bicycling/infoforemployers.html.
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| NEWS YOU CAN USE |
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A Better Chance
DC continues to take advantage of federal stimulus funds to help local residents. Last month, the city began to distribute $7.5 million in Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP) funds to prevent and respond to urgent housing needs. Using HPRP money, the DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the DC Department of Human Services (DHS) are providing financial assistance, housing counseling and legal services to DC residents struggling to afford housing. According to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, 60% of the money must be spent in the next two years, with the full amount expended within three years. As a result, an estimated 680 to 800 DC households will receive support. Four non-profit community organizations-Catholic Charities, Community of Hope, Housing Counseling Services and the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness Virginia Williams Family Resource Center-have partnered with DHS to provide eligibility determinations and other housing support.
 Thinking About the Future
The National Mall is topmost of mind for the National Park Service (NPS) and others. Last month, NPS released the Draft National Mall Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, which provides an overall vision and guidelines for the National Mall’s long-term management. The plan will guide rehabilitating the Mall’s historic landscape; identify measures to help it function better as the nation’s primary civic space; address visitors’ need for access and other concerns; and improve park operations and sustainability.
The plan contains five management alternatives that describe different visions for how America’s front yard could be managed, including a no-action alternative and the NPS’s preferred alternative, which has been refined and modified as a result of public, consulting agency and professional comments since it was presented last spring. The preferred alternative combines ideas from each of the other alternatives to best achieve the plan’s goals. The other alternatives would emphasize 1) the historic landscape and education; 2) a welcoming national civic space to accommodate large crowds; and 3) urban recreation and a sustainable ecology.
The Trust for the National Mall, founded by Chip Akridge, the chairman of Akridge (601 13th Street), has raised millions of dollars in private funds to assist with Mall improvements. The Trust will help implement the final plan. For a draft of the plan, visit www.nps.gov/nationalmallplan, where there is a link to the public comment site. Comments must be submitted by March 18.
In the meantime, the National Coalition to Save Our Mall has a report entitled, Renewing American Democracy on the 3rd Century Mall: A Vision for the National Mall, which outlines five programs designed to continue raising public consciousness about Mall issues. For more information, visit www.savethemall.org.
Easy Access
A new interactive zoning map is now available to users looking to determine the zoning classification for any DC property. The DC Office of Zoning (DCOZ) introduced the comprehensive, user-friendly map so people can search zoning by specific address, square and lot, parcel or Planned Unit Development (PUD). Users can select layers of data to display on the map and can print reports for any selected property. For more information, visit www.dcoz.dc.gov.
Building an Arts Agenda
The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities is developing its five-year strategic plan and invites stakeholders and the public to submit comments. The plan places a high priority on public art, developing infrastructure in support of arts activities, recruiting and retaining artist citizens and creating a civic environment that attracts knowledge workers and other members of the creative class. A draft of the plan, laying out the Commission’s goals, objectives and strategies, was created with input from a diverse group of interested parties and is available for review at http://dcarts.dc.gov. Submit public comments to ams@ams-online.com by January 8.
Sweat Equity
Know of local individuals or organizations providing significant levels of private equity capital? The Washington Business Journal wants to hear from you. The newspaper is accepting nominations for its first-ever Venture Capital Awards for Greater Washington. The program will recognize the region’s largest and most remarkable VC deals made in 2009 and the venture capital firms and individuals behind them. There are six categories this year: Deal of the Year-Angel; Deal of the Year-Early Stage; Deal of the Year-Later Stage; Exit of the Year; Outside Investor of the Year; and Friend of the Entrepreneur. The submission deadline is January 15. For more information, visit www.washingtonbusinessjournal.com/nomination.
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| MEETINGS AND MORE |
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Tuesday, January 12, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Downtown Neighborhood Association
Monthly Meeting
Calvary Baptist Church
755 8th Street
Both residents and workers are welcome at this Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) meeting. This month’s featured discussion leader will be Mayor Adrian Fenty. In addition, officers from the 101 W Police Service Area (PSA) will provide safety updates. To RSVP, e-mail miles@dcdna.org. For more information, visit www.dcdna.org.
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Wednesday, January 13, 8:30 am - 11:00 am
Cultural Tourism DC
Annual Membership Meeting
National Geographic Museum
1145 17th Street
Cultural Tourism DC will hold its Annual Membership Meeting in a museum-of course-where it will launch its new website. The gathering will begin with a continental breakfast, followed by an early morning tour of the Terra Cotta Warriors exhibit. The self-guided tour will be limited to the first 150 members who sign up. Initially, no more than two members per organization will be allowed to take the tour. The business meeting will begin promptly at 10:00. For more information, contact Pamela Jafari by e-mail at Pjafari@CulturalTourismDC.org, or call (202) 626-1149.
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Tuesday, January 26, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
National Capital Planning Commission
EcoDistricts: Between Land Use and Green Building Codes
NCPC
401 9th Street
The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) is hosting this meeting to examine the environmental impacts of development and DC-based approaches to development and infrastructure. Featured speakers include Bob Bennett, executive director of Portland + Oregon Sustainability Institute, and Michelle Moore, federal environmental executive for the Council on Environmental Quality. This meeting is free. For questions about the event, contact Denise Powers at (202) 482-7290.
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Wednesday, January 27, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington
Annual Meeting
Capital Hilton Hotel
1001 16th Street
Join the Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington (AOBA) as it celebrates 2009 accomplishments and look forward to 2010 priorities. New volunteer leadership will be welcomed and the association’s signature awards, including the Sidney Glassman Memorial Award and the Outstanding Associate Member Award, will be distributed at the meeting. Members pay $95; nonmembers pay $120. For more information, visit www.aoba-metro.org.
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Thursday, January 28, 7:30 am - 10:30 am
District of Columbia Building Industry Association
Annual Capital Markets Seminar: Capital Outlook in 2010
National Press Club
529 14th Street
Curious to know how the capital markets will perform this year? Attend this District of Columbia Building Industry Association’s (DCBIA) annual seminar on debt and equity securities. William E. Sudow, a partner with Sidley Austin LLP, will moderate the panel discussion, which also will include P. Sheridan Schechner, managing director of Barclays Capital, and Daniel A. D’Aniello, founding partner and managing director of The Carlyle Group. Registration and a networking breakfast begin at 7:30 am, followed by the panel at 8:30 am. The cost is $70 for members; nonmembers pay $95. To register, visit www.dcbia.org. For more information, e-mail events@dcbia.org.
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