Changing Places
The BID welcomes two new members of the Board of Directors to replace departing members Nicholas Goldsborough of the Shakespeare Theatre Company and Deborah Lipman of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). We are extremely appreciative of their contributions since joining the Board and wish them every success in their new endeavors. Chris Jennings and Art Lawson assume their places.

Chris Jennings joined the Shakespeare Theatre Company in 1994 as general manager, overseeing the Company’s growth from a $12 million operation to a nearly $20 million enterprise. Prior to joining STC, he served as general manager of Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, Rhode Island, where he helped Brown University establish its first graduate theater program. A graduate of the University of Miami and Yale University School of Drama, Jennings’ expansive career includes management experience on and off Broadway. The National Endowment for the Arts awarded him a fellowship in Arts Administration in 1994.

Art Lawson has spent 27 years working for the District of Columbia government, where for the last eight of those years he served as deputy director of the DC Department of Public Works and the DC Department of Transportation.  After retiring from the DC government, he joined the WMATA as associate director of the Office of Business Planning and Development.  Today, Lawson is WMATA's government relations officer within the Office of Policy and Government Relations, Department of Corporate Strategy & Communications.

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Blossoms on Parade
The blossoms are in peak-bloom and the National Cherry Blossom Festival http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/cms/ is underway!  The Festival, March 31- April 13, brings an explosion of dynamic entertainment to Downtown with two blockbuster Festival events on Saturday, April 12: Southwest Airlines Presents the Parade of the National Cherry Blossom Festival http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/cms/index.php?id=418 immediately followed by the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival. http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/cms/index.php?id=418.
 
This year's parade steps off at 10 am on Constitution Avenue and boasts an impressive roster of celebrity entertainers including Keke Palmer (“Akeelah and the Bee”), Mark Indelicato (“Ugly Betty”), Kathy Sledge of Sister Sledge, Military Idol Vicki Golding and Miss America, as well as giant helium balloons and hundreds of singers and dancers.  Washington, DC, marching bands from Ballou and Dunbar High Schools will be joined by Blake High School Band from Silver Spring and the Virginia Tech band the Hightie Tighties. Reserved grandstand seats can still be purchased through ticketmaster.com.  If you can't make it Downtown on parade day, WJLA and NewsChannel8 will broadcast the spectacle live from 10 am to noon.
 
If it's Japanese, it will be found at the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival. From sushi to origami, from sumo to sake, arts and crafts, anime, manga, J-POP to taiko, there's something for everyone at the largest Japanese Street Festival in the United States at 12th and Pennsylvania from 11 am - 6 pm.

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Service with a Smile
Rene Peralta is the Maintenance SAM of the Month for February.  Rene moved to the US from El Salvador in 2000 and came to work at the BID one year later as a Zone Cleaner. In addition to his cleaning duties, he serves as his team’s equipment and supply clerk, as well as an interpreter for both patrons and co-workers. Rene says he likes his job and he recognizes what impact the service he provides has on the BID area. He is studying English in his effort to further his professional climb. 
 
Safety SAM of the month for February, Claudell Epps, has been greeting visitors in the Downtown area for eight years.  She has maintained a professionally friendly approach to Downtown visitors, residents and workers alike. Claudell has participated in numerous Safety Information Fairs sponsored by the Downtown DC BID.  Claudell’s continued efforts for excellence have earned her the title of  "Employee of the Month" before.  Despite an occasional language barrier when helping visitors from other countries, Claudell has found that she can overcome that challenge as long as she remains positive, pleasant and patient. When not working as a SAM, this DC native loves to roller skate.

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Pillow Talk
According to data from Smith Travel Research, hotels in the BID area operated at 76.3% capacity in 2007, representing the highest hotel occupancy rate on record for the Downtown BID. This demand raised average daily rates to an unprecedented $213.48, and revenue per available room to $162.99. Average daily room rates in the Downtown BID have grown by 32% since 2001 and are currently 7.5% higher than DC rates outside of the BID ($198.61). Revenue per available room in the BID likewise has grown by 47.0% since 2001 and is 13.7% higher than the revenue generated per room in DC hotels outside of Downtown ($143.31). The BID’s 24 operating hotels, representing 8,861 rooms, generated $527.1 million in revenue in 2007 and $76 million in gross tax revenues for the city at a 14.5% hotel sales tax rate. Both figures are likely to grow in 2008, as hotel newcomer Donovan House opens in the former Holiday Inn at Thomas Circle (1155 14th Street, NW) and as travelers continue to seek accommodations in the heart of DC’s premier commercial and cultural district.

	Occupancy	Average Daily Room Rate	RevPar (a)	Room Revenues (millions)
2007	76.3%	$213.48	$162.99	$527.1
2006	72.0	200.93	144.75	476.8
2005	75.0	191.95	143.90	486.7
2004	73.4	171.20	125.64	427.1
2003	70.6	155.37	109.61	363.4
2002	69.8	156.61	109.35	363.8
2001	68.6	161.69	110.91	360.4

Relief on the Way
Mayor Fenty has proposed a new plan for commercial property tax relief that would ease the tax burden for both small businesses and larger commercial office buildings while shifting more of the tax relief to larger commercial office buildings than the City Council’s recently passed “Small Business Commercial Property Tax Relief Act of 2008” (DC Act 17-272).  This is a significant, if modest, achievement in that it sends a signal that the government recognizes the competitive challenge that high operating costs pose for small businesses and larger office buildings. 

The Mayor recommends amending the recently enacted Act 17-272 (that was to have reduced property taxes from 1.85% to 0.91% on the first $3 million of assessed value on all commercial property in the city staring in fiscal year 2009, as follows: 

•	For commercial properties with an assessed value of $3 million or less:  commercial property taxes to be reduced from 1.85% to 1.40% in 2011 (reduced by 0.15% in 2009; and another 0.15% per year in both 2010 and 2011 upon the Mayor certifying the need for such tax relief and a proposed balanced budget).
•	For commercial properties with an assessed value of more than $3 million:  commercial property taxes to be reduced from 1.85% to 1.80% in 2011 (reduced 0.01% in 2009; and another 0.02% per year in both 2010 and 2011 upon the Mayor certifying the need for such tax relief and a proposed balanced budget).

The proposed tax relief will reduce property taxes by $0.225 per SF per year to $0.35 per SF per year for properties with an assessed value of more than $3 million.  It is being phased in over three years due to the city’s current budget situation.

This proposal appears to be more equitable and proportional: properties with $3 million in assessed value or less would receive a 27% tax reduction and properties with an assessed value of more than $3 million would receive a tax reduction of 2.7%.  The total cost of the Mayor Fenty’s proposal is $67 million per year if enacted fully in fiscal year 2011, as compared to Act 17-272’s cost of $108 million in fiscal 2011.  In addition, the proposal spreads the tax reductions over three years, and avoids further shifting the city’s tax burden to larger properties.

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DOWNTOWN DISH

Coming to America
Nando’s, home of legendary flame grilled Portugese peri-peri (also known as Bird’s Eye Chilli from Africa) chicken is coming to Downtown at 819 7th Street in the space formerly occupied by Asylum Wake Skate Snow. Born in South Africa in 1987, Nando’s has grown to 175 stores in the UK and five continents. Look for a May 2008 opening. For more information, visit www.nandosusa.com/.

Continental Fusion
LeeLoo Lounge (519 G Street) is the latest addition to the burgeoning Downtown restaurant scene. Here, Latin American specialties are fused with European cooking styles in regional dishes such as soft carnita tacos and cumin lomo saltado. For further details, call 202.289.1600 or visit http://www.leeloolounge.com/.

Grand Tavern
The Grand Hyatt Washington (1000 H Street) is redesigning the former Butler`s Cigar Bar space for Ardenz, a contemporary tavern named after a region in the Belgian countryside.  Word has it that the opening is planned for this spring.

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Who’s Mama?
Rumors abound that Downtown will soon boast the area’s first wagamama restaurant. wagamama opened in London’s Bloomsbury in 1992, combining fresh and nutritious food in an sleek, yet simple setting with helpful, friendly service and value for the money.

Today, there are more than 80 restaurants in the UK,  Europe, the Pacific Rim, Middle East and US (Boston, MA).  According to the company’s pr, wagamama is the most popular chain of award-winning Asian-inspired noodle restaurant in the country. wagamama has been short listed by Timeout magazine as the “Best Family Restaurant,” as well as also being an official “cool brand” as voted for by the Coolbrands Council in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2006. In 2005, wagamama was voted most popular restaurant in London by Zagat readers and again in 2006 beating off hot competition from Nobu, The Ivy and Gordon Ramsey. Knowledgeable insiders say watch the Olsson’s space at 418 7th Street for signs of the new restaurant.

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Carpe Diem
Downtown BID area restaurants rocked the RAMMY nominations with finalists in seven major categories. Members of the restaurant industry submitted nominations for the awards and an anonymous panel of esteemed judges, including journalists and hospitality industry educators, were tasked with choosing only five finalists for each category.  Here’s the rundown on BID area nominees:

Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year - Oyamel, Poste and Zaytinya

New Restaurant of the Year - Brasserie Beck, Central, Proof and The Source

Chef of the Year - Robert Wiedmaier, Brasserie Beck and Michel Richard, Central

Rising Culinary Star of the Year - Joe Raffia, Oyamel

Wine and Beverage Program of the Year - Oya and Passion Food Hospitality (DC Coast, TenPenh, Ceiba, Acadiana)

Employee of the Year - Joel Guagliano, Zaytinya and Willians Perez Rollins, Chef Geoff’s

Manager of the Year - Christine deClerfay, The Oceanaire Seafood Room and Molly McWhorter, Chef Geoff’s. 

The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) will determine the recipient of the prestigious Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award and RAMW Associate Member of the Year Award. In addition, the public will get their opportunity to weigh in on the winners for Neighborhood Gathering Place of the Year, Hottest Restaurant Bar Scene of the Year, Restaurant Power Spot of the Year, and Voters’ Choice Award by casting a vote through a special RAMMY Awards ballot that will be featured in a supplement in The Washington Post Magazine on Sunday, May 18th, as well as online at www.ramw.org/. A complete list of all the nominees is available on the website.

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Eyes on the World

"This museum is a unique blend of fun and inspiration," said Charles L. Overby, chief executive officer of the Newseum. "There is something for everyone here — history, games, films, big screens, photos and major historical artifacts from around the world." Plans for several days of opening events are underway. The opening on April 11 will include a live broadcast of a portion of ABC's "Good Morning America" from the Newseum and free admission for the public that day. Special activities will continue throughout opening weekend — musical entertainment, photo opportunities, historical actors, guest appearances and games and activities for children and families. Additional event details will be announced over the next few weeks at http://www.newseum.org/.

Beginning Saturday, April 12, the Newseum will be open from 9 am to 5 pm daily and closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission will be $20 for adults (13 to 64), $18 for seniors (65 and older) and $13 for youth (7 to 12). Children under age 7 will be admitted free. Discounts will be available for groups. Tickets may be purchased online at newseum.org, by telephone at 888/NEWSEUM (888/639-7386) or in person at the Newseum admissions desk (beginning April 12).

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To Market, To Market
FRESHFARM Farmers’ Market begins a new season at 8th and D Streets, once the historic Center Market neighborhood where Washingtonians shopped for more than 100 years for their fruits and vegetables. Enjoy fresh and local fruits, vegetables, cheeses, baked goods, soaps, plants, cut flowers and meat every Thursday from April 3 through November 15, 3 to 8 pm. For more information, visit http://www.freshfarmmarkets.org/.

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A Woman’s Work
The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) has selected Susan Fisher Sterling, the museum’s longstanding and highly regarded chief curator and deputy director, to assume the post of director.
 
“Certainly, no one knows the museum and its workings better than Susan,” said Wilhelmina Cole Holladay, founder and chair of the National Museum of Women in the Arts. “Her taste, scholarship, and innovation have been instrumental in the museum’s success almost since the beginning.”
 
Sterling has been with NMWA more than 19 years and is credited with helping to shape much of the museum’s artistic direction over its 20-year history. Sterling holds a Ph.D. in art history from Princeton University. She joined the staff of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in 1988 as associate curator, was promoted to curator of modern and contemporary art in 1990, chief curator in 1994, and was appointed deputy director in 2001. She is an alumna of the Museum Leadership Institute at the Getty (2004), and has received the Royal Order of Merit from the government of Norway and the Order de Rio Branco from the Republic of Brazil for her cultural diplomacy.
  
The Museum, which has completed its first endowment campaign, raised more than $40 million in pledges, cash and planned giving during its 20th Anniversary in 2007, creating a new found financial stability upon which to build its programs.

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At Its Zenith
Commemorating its 30th anniversary last month, Zenith Gallery (413 7th St.)is presenting a mixed-media show featuring trees in all their fabulous forms.

The concept for the show stems from owner Margery Goldberg’s longtime interest in and reverence for trees.  A wood sculptor, conservationist and Washington resident, she says, “It seems only fitting that we celebrate our remarkable milestone with a show about trees, which symbolize life, friendship, evolution and endurance. Not to mention Washington, DC’s status as the Tree Capital of the United States, made so by the sheer number and variety of trees given to our city by other countries and states.”

Participating artists, many of whom have been with Zenith Gallery from the beginning, will be creating new pieces for this show; others will present existing works.

Since opening its doors in 1978, Zenith has been at the forefront of the Washington arts scene.  Established by Goldberg at Zenith Square, a 50-studio, 50,000 square-foot artists’ haven she founded on Rhode Island Avenue NW near 14th Street, the gallery moved to its present Downtown location in 1986.

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TRANSPORTATION TALK

Blossom Bound
During the 16 days of the National Cherry Blossom Festival®, and particularly during the “Peak Bloom,” approximately 1 million visitors come from all over the metropolitan Washington region, the country and the world to see the trees in full bloom.

"By concentrating on good access to and around the Festival, we enable visitors to spend more time enjoying the blossoms and events, not sitting in traffic," explains Diana Mayhew, NCBF's executive director.

To make getting around Festival events a positive part of the visitors' experience, NCBF staff works with a team of transportation partners, including the National Park Service (NPS), the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), UrbanTrans Consultants, Tourmobile Sightseeing, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association and the Downtown DC BID. Working collaboratively throughout the year, the team has developed a wide range of transportation services for Festival visitors.

Advance Travel Information
Advance travel information is at the heart of the Festival transportation management strategy. There are five sets of maps and directions on the Festival website, nationalcherryblossom.org/maps. These maps give the visitor transit, bicycling, parking and taxi information. The website also provides "Getting There" for each of the 46 Festival events.

New this year is the Tourmobile free daily shuttle between the hundreds of free parking spaces at Hains Point and the Tidal Basin.  Service runs daily from 10 am - 7 pm.  Shuttles arrive every 20-30 minutes at signed stops. Visitors can ride the shuttle and spend less time searching for parking. No parking will be allowed within the Tidal Basin lot that is being repurposed as a NPS Tidal Basin Welcome Area during the Festival. Parking for visitors with disabilities will be provided on West Basin Drive at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and along Ohio Drive closest to the Tidal Basin.

Valet Bicycle Parking
"It doesn't get more welcoming for a bicyclist than to have a staffed parking area," according to Eric Gilliland, executive director of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association. NPS has designated two locations for valet bicycle parking -- on 15th Street between Constitution Avenue and Madison Drive, and behind the Jefferson Memorial. The parking area will be staffed on Saturdays and Sundays during the Festival from 9 am 7 pm. Bicyclists should bring a lock and are encouraged to wear helmets.

Transit Strategy
"During peak times, having a transit strategy can make your experience more enjoyable," advises Justin Schor of UrbanTrans Consultants. Taking transit is always a good idea and Festival visitors choose it most often to get to the National Mall.

The Smithsonian Metro Station (Blue and Orange Lines) is most popular among Festival visitors. The L’Enfant Plaza Station (Blue, Yellow, and Green Lines), 7th Street & Maryland Avenue exit, is another option with an extra 10-minute walk to the blossoms. The Federal Triangle Metro Station (Blue and Orange Lines) is also just a short walk north on 12th Street from the National Mall. The DC Circulator provides a connection to the blossom area on weekends from Gallery Place Metro Station (Red and Green Lines). Visitors can plan their transit strategy by using the Metro Trip Planner on metroopensdoors.com.

A “beat the peak” strategy for Downtown commuters is to stay at work a little longer at the end of the day. As a special incentive to get the full flavor of the Festival, dozens of Downtown restaurants and bars are offering cherry-themed cuisine and beverages.

On-Site Help
Visitors who need help finding their way around the Mall will encounter a new source of assistance on site - volunteer guide service.

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Bikes with Brains
DDOT is currently rolling out SmartBike DC, an automated bicycle rental system, in partnership with Clear Channel, to offer 120 bikes at 10 proposed locations in greater Downtown. Similar to Zipcar, SmartBike requires membership and allows members to swipe a card and release a bike from a kiosk for short trips through the city. SmartBikes can be returned to any of the 10 proposed kiosk locations listed here. The first SmartBike kiosk was installed at the Reeves Municipal Center (2000 14th St NW) in March. Similar bike sharing programs have seen success in Paris, Lyon, Barcelona and Oslo.

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Wheels to Work
Veteran and new bicyclists are scheduled to join thousands of area commuters for a celebration of bicycling as a clean, fun and healthy way to get to work on Friday, May 16, 2008 as part of Bike to Work Day festivities. Cyclists are encouraged to meet up at one of 26 pit stops all over the Metro region, ride into the city with experienced commuter convoys and converge with fellow cyclists at Freedom Plaza. Bike to Work Day is a free event and open to all area commuters. Register for Bike To Work Day and find pit stop locations at http://www.waba.org/. Pre-register by May 9 for a free T-shirt and bike raffle. Go Green to Work this year!

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Look Both Ways
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) recently recognized the DDOT with the Medal of Merit for its continued efforts to promote traffic and pedestrian safety. The awards were presented at the Eighth Annual Metropolitan Police Department Awards Ceremony, honoring MPD’s sworn officers and civilian employees and law enforcement partners who help to make a difference in communities throughout the year.
 
Emeka Moneme, director of DDOT, has been instrumental in supporting the Police Department's traffic safety operations.  Through his efforts, DDOT has participated in monthly Multi-agency Targeted Safety Sessions (MATTS) and has coordinated a number of inter-agency initiatives aimed at addressing traffic and pedestrian safety.
 
Carole Lewis, chief of the Transportation Safety Division within DDOT, also has supported MPD's traffic safety operations through programs such as Click it or Ticket and Smooth Operator.  These programs and others are integral to educate the public and enforce traffic and pedestrian safety effectively throughout the city.
 
DDOT is dedicated to increasing pedestrian and traffic safety awareness through smart education and engineering practices as well as supporting enforcement efforts with MPD. 

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Tuesday, April 15, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Downtown Neighborhood Association
Monthly Meeting
District Chophouse
509 7th Street

Penn Quarter residents and workers are invited to this neighborhood meeting to hear guest speakers and discuss issues. To RSVP, e-mail miles@dcdna.org. For more information, visit http://www.dcdna.org/.

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Saturday, April 26, 9 am 2 pm
DC Green Buildings EcoTour (Bike Tour)
Meet at National Geographic Society
1145 17th Street NW, Courtyard
Registration required at http://www.wholenessforhumanity.com/

Join Greg Drury and Scott Pomeroy, environmental programs manager at the Downtown DC BID, on a tour of local LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certified green buildings to learn about simple, yet effective, actions that reduce energy consumption and climate change emissions; improve the quality of our air, water and land; and utilize green building principles.  Downtown stops may include: National Association of Realtors DC headquarters building, Willard Hotel, Toyota Governmental Affairs, The Alta at Thomas Circle and 1425 K Street Green Roof with a free lunch at carbon-neutral green café. Presented by Wholeness for Humanity, US EPA, Downtown DC BID, Friends of the Earth, DC Department of Environment and Office of Planning.

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Tuesday, April 29, 8:45 am to 2:30 pm 
Pedestrian Safety Workshop
National Press Club
529 13th Street (13th Floor)

Presented by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, this workshop will bring together working professionals from the region to meet and address factors that play a part in pedestrian injuries and fatalities in a effort to identify the realities inherent in this problem and come to a collaborative solution. Registration required at: www.mwcog.org/pedestrian_safety.

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