The DowntownDC BID’s Safety/Hospitality and Maintenance employees (SAMs) last month were treated to a behind-the-scenes look into the much talked-about new mixed-use development CityCenterDC for their SAM of the Month meeting.
The transformative 10-acre luxe CityCenterDC project runs from H Street and New York Avenue and along 9th to 11th Streets in DowntownDC and will include 216 condominiums in two condominium buildings, 458 rental apartments (92 of which are affordable housing units) in two apartment buildings, 515,000 square feet of office space in two office buildings, an initial 190,000 square feet of retail and restaurants (with more retail space to follow), parking accommodations for 1,550 vehicles, a park, central plaza and streetscapes, and a planned 350-room hotel.
CityCenterDC’s first retailer, luggage store Tumi (1051 H Street), opened for business in December as did CityCenterDC’s underground parking garage, which is already offering daily parking deals to the public. The garage will feature a red light/green light parking availability indicator system, as well as three wayfinding 80-inch touchscreen systems, which will allow users exiting the garage to receive point-to-point directions within CityCenterDC. Entrances are currently located on 9th and 11th Streets.
Men’s shoe store Allen Edmonds is scheduled to be the next retailer to open and will be located next door to Tumi. The center’s first tenant is also expected to move into the office building on Feb. 1.
SAMs went behind the scenes of CityCenterDC for their monthly meeting in December, gathering in the Connections Café internet lounge in the Apartments at CityCenter.
Howard Riker, managing director for Hines– CityCenterDC’s developer– addressed the group, offering updates on the unique development and presented a timeline of events.
During December’s meeting two SAMs were also honored for their outstanding performance and named November SAMs of the Month: Safety/Hospitality Team Member Stephanie Haygan and Maintenance Team Member Rosa Rosales.
Stephanie Haygan has the distinguished honor of being a three-time SAM of the Month winner. Haygan graduated in the 2011 SAM class and formerly worked as a receptionist, bank teller and hostess. She aspires to work in criminal justice. Haygan spends her free time working out at the gym, reading, watching movies, and taking classes on criminal justice.
Rosa Rosales, a longtime SAM team member, also is a three-time SAM of the Month winner. Rosales received the honor in January 2012 and May 2013 and has served as a team member since 2008. Rosales came to the United States from El Salvador in 1993, where she worked in a shoe and clothing factory. She worked in the restaurant and security industries before joining the SAM Maintenance Team. Rosales enjoys volleyball and pingpong and spending time with her family, including her grandchildren.