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A New Downtown VIS10n
The Downtown BID is turning 10 and we would like to invite the Downtown community to celebrate with us as we recognize the early believers, Downtown champions and key individuals that brought the BID to fruition, forever changing the face of Washington, DC’s urban core. In addition to reflecting on the past decade of change and transformation, we will acknowledge an even more exciting future that lies ahead. Our celebration of this very special milestone in the history of this organization, and the District of Columbia, will evoke the sights, sounds and sensations that are the essence of the Downtown DC experience.
Since 1997, the BID has been a leader of change for Downtown and through the corps of safety, hospitality and maintenance workers known as SAMs, the BID has delivered a high level of services that property owners, tenants, residents and visitors have come to expect. Our homeless program moves more than 30 people per month off the streets. Since 2000, we have leveraged an initial $500,000 investment in streetscape-related activities into more than $30 million in total improvements. The BID works closely with municipal and federal governments, as well as other organizations, to support programs that retain and expand businesses. In recent years, the BID has expanded its mission by providing research and other information resources to business, cultural, retail and residential tenants in an effort to help diversify the Downtown economy.
Today, Downtown DC has re-emerged as the cultural and entertainment center of the region. It is a place that creates memorable experiences because of its unique role and character. In celebrating our past, the BID also is looking to the future to create a Downtown experience that is truly "Vibrant, Inviting and Smart." While we remain focused on basic "clean, safe and friendly" services, as characterized by our SAM corps, our new Downtown VISion will guide us in delivering programs, services, insights and tools to maximize Downtown DC’s economic, social and cultural competitiveness.
So join us on Tuesday, November 13, at 8:30 am for our 10th anniversary celebration in the new Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street), for a Downtown power breakfast, anniversary program and live music and entertainment. RSVP today by calling 202.638.7700 or e-mail rsvp@downtowndc.org.
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 Leading the Way
The Downtown BID has appointed new Board of Directors’ officers and members for fiscal year 2008. Matthew J. Klein, president of Akridge, will serve as chairman, along with the following new officers: First Vice-Chair and Treasurer, Bradley Edwards, general manager of the Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel; Second Vice-Chair, Peter Johnston, senior vice-president and regional manager for Boston Properties; and Secretary, Jane Taylor, vice president of marketing for Washington Sports and Entertainment.
Other individuals joining the Board for the first time include: Dean Cinkala, partner, JBG Companies; Ron Linton, representative, Downtown Cluster of Congregations; Tom Meyer, executive vice president, Clyde's Restaurant Group; Vincent Orange, regional vice president, DC, PEPCO; and Tony Reed, regional administrator, General Services Administration (GSA).
To read a copy of the BID board announcement press release, click here.
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Survey Says...
Downtown’s phenomenal transformation begs the question, why doesn’t the area have more retail? The short answer is that retailers wanting to locate in the Downtown BID area rely primarily upon data from the 2000 U.S. Census to estimate demographics and market demand. However, at that time, only five market-rate residential buildings existed in the area known as Penn Quarter. Thus, the data does not reflect the area’s dramatic growth during the past seven years. This makes it challenging to attract the types of retailers many residents want, including a neighborhood grocery store.
To help make the case for more Downtown retail, the BID, along with the Downtown Neighborhood Association and The Downtowner, is conducting a Downtown Neighborhood Survey to help support retail attraction for the area. The survey instrument is similar to the one that residents in Logan Circle used to bring Whole Foods Market to their neighborhood. Take the survey at www.downtowndc.org/survey and become eligible to win a weekend stay for two and dinner for four in Downtown DC. Also, for each completed survey, BB&T will donate $1 to Catholic Charities’ Downtown homeless services program.
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Bound Closely Together
As of October 1, properties that lie north of Massachusetts Avenue and east of New Jersey Avenue will no longer be considered a part of the Downtown BID, and will instead move to the newly created NoMa BID as part of an agreement made by both organizations and the DC Council. The new BID will provide clean and safe services to their new members through marketing, streetscape and infrastructure improvements, community outreach and transportation. The Downtown BIDs boundaries now include properties located within the area bounded by Constitution Avenue to the south, Massachusetts Avenue and K Street NE to the north, Louisiana Avenue to the east and 16th Street to the west. For more information, visit http://www.downtowndc.org/ or http://www.nomabid.org/.
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Downtown Gets Festive
 It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, so satisfy your gift-giving needs at the 2007 Downtown Holiday Market. The third annual market produced by the Downtown BID and Diverse Markets Management promises to be a unique shopping experience for all. Last year’s event drew more than 100,000 shoppers Downtown over 12 days. This year’s extended schedule of 17 days and an additional hour each day expects to bring more than 150,000 people to Downtown, an area quickly becoming a popular shopping and dining destination in the city.
From December 7 through December 23, a festive atmosphere and live musical entertainment will accompany more than 40 exhibitors and artisans selling a diverse array of goods and high-quality gift items on the sidewalk on F Street between 7th and 8th Streets in front of the Smithsonian’s Portrait Gallery and Museum of American Art. The market will be open daily from Noon to 8:00 pm. For more information, visit http://www.downtownholidaymarket.com/ or call 202.638.3232.
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It’s Easy to be Green
In a recent public oversight roundtable on "green collar jobs" held by the DC Council Committee on Economic Development, Downtown BID Executive Director Richard H. Bradley spoke about the BID's efforts to help reduce the city's carbon footprint and steps taken towards making Downtown DC more environmentally sustainable.
The purpose of the roundtable was to provide an open forum to discuss green development and how local small businesses can benefit from opportunities in this growing industry. The BID’s focus was on the importance of making Downtown DC’s labor economy greener and more productive and to highlight the BID’s new four-part green economic development program, which will help create many new job opportunities in the Downtown.
Building engineers, technicians, traffic officers, bus and streetcar drivers and other specially trained workers will be needed to help sustain a beautiful and vibrant Downtown to service the growing business community and to help ease traffic congestion. "The Downtown and center city areas will need hundreds of workers with new job skills to serve the city’s core economy and help DC become one of the most sustainable and green cities in the world," said Bradley.
Look for further announcements from the Downtown BID on ideas and programs for making Downtown DC greener, as well as more energy training sessions to be held later this year. To view the roundtable discussion, visit http://www.octt.dc.gov/ and click the "On Demand Video" link. Follow the links to the week of 10/21/07 - 10/27/07. (Fast-forward to the 8 minute and 40 second mark to start the hearing from the beginning).
For a copy of the BID green initiative press release, click here.
For a copy of Richard H. Bradley's testimony, click here.
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Moving to a New Location
The Downtown BID will cease publishing the bi-weekly, electronic Events Update newsletter temporarily. Organizations wishing to publicize events can still use the online events calendar available on our website at http://www.downtowndc.org/ by clicking on the "Submit Events" option.
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Dedicated Service
 Cheryl Brown is the September Safety Hospitality SAM of the Month. Cheryl grew up in the Capitol Hill neighborhood and has been with the BID for one year. Before joining the BID, she managed summer camp and before- and after-school programs for two local schools. When she’s not busy helping Downtown patrons find their way, Cheryl enjoys sharing time with her family and telling them about her favorite Downtown attractions, such as Madame Tussaud’s and Arts on Foot. 
The September Maintenance SAM of the Month is Raymond Dantzler. Raymond joined the BID this April and already has received numerous complements from residents and patrons in the area. A native Washingtonian and father of a daughter, Raymond enjoys reading the Bible with his family and says it feels very rewarding to be able to help others.
Congratulations Cheryl and Raymond for your hard work and dedication.
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Wednesday, November 7, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
DC Office of Zoning
Event Public Information Briefing
Zoning Commission Hearing Room
441 4th Street
South Tower, 2nd Floor
Join the DC Office of Zoning and nationally recognized consultant Mark White, partner at White and Smith, LLC Planning and Law Group, for a public briefing on the design and building process of the new infrastructure being built to house the city’s revised zoning regulations. Following the discussion, there will be a short outline of how to write, organize, administer, codify and place zoning regulations in the public domain in both print and digital format. RSVP by Monday, November 5, by calling 202.610.0005 or e-mail aieda@jsallc.com. For more information, visit http://www.dcoz.dc.gov/.
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Thursday, November 8, 7:30 am - 10:30 am
DC Building Industry Association
Annual Economic Development Seminar - "The Public Sector’s Role in the Future of the City"
National Press Club
14th and F Streets
Catherine Timko, principal, The Riddle Company, moderates this annual seminar with speakers Neil O. Albert, deputy mayor for Planning and Economic Development, Washington, DC; Buwa Binitie, director, New Communities Initiative; Derrick Woody, director, Great Streets Initiative; and Patrick Phillips, president, Economics Research Associates. A question and answer session will follow immediately. Continental breakfast provided. Members $70; non-members $85. For more information, call 202.966.8665, e-mail events@dcbia.org or visit http://www.dcbia.org./
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Thursday, November 8, 8:30 am - 11:00 am
Government of the District of Columbia
DC Revenue Bond Seminar: "A Remarkable Financing Tool to Further the Mission of Your Organization"
Ronald Reagan Building
Rotunda Room
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue
City Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray moderates this DC Government seminar on the city’s revenue bond program. To RSVP, call 202.727.6365 or e-mail latoyia.johnson@dc.gov.
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Tuesday, November 13, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Downtown Neighborhood Association
Monthly Meeting
U.S. Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center
701 Pennsylvania Avenue
Penn Quarter residents and workers are invited to hear Councilmember Carol Schwartz (At-Large) lead a discussion with Downtown DC BID Executive Director Richard H. Bradley, who will talk about what their collaboration with the National Park Service (NPS) means for Downtown. Zach Dobelbower, Ward 2 planner with the Office of Planning, will be on hand to discuss the Chinatown branding study. Also meet the new First District Commander, David Kamperin, who will answer questions. To RSVP, e-mail miles@dcdna.org. For more information, visit http://www.dcdna.org/.
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 Friday, November 16, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Washington, DC Economic Partnership
Annual Meeting and Development Showcase
Washington Convention Center
801 Mount Vernon Place
John Talmage, president and CEO of Social Compact, discusses "Information Lead Development" at this annual meeting, which also features the Washington, DC Economic Partnership Innovation Awards and highlights the city’s green development efforts. To purchase an individual ticket or corporate table, visit https://ww2.eventrebels.com/er/Registration/RegistrationForm.jsp?ActivityID=2105&ItemID=7617. For sponsorship opportunities or to reserve space in the Development Showcase, contact Keith Sellars at 202.661.8684 or ksellars@wdcep.com or Kelley Taft at 202.661.8676 or ktaft@wdcep.com.
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Reaching the Tipping Point
New retailers moving into the Downtown BID area are delighting stylish shoppers and adding critical mass to an area already home to Macy’s, H&M, Urban Outfitters, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Bed Bath and Beyond and many others. Including Zara and west elm, the Downtown BID now has more than 420,000 square feet (SF) of destination retail. As retail development continues in the 900 through 1100 blocks of F Street, Gallery Square (located at the northeast corner of 7th and H Streets), the Old Convention Center site and around Mount Vernon Square, the Downtown BID will have nearly 1,000,000 SF of destination retail between the years 2012 and 2014.
The DC government has played a large part in Downtown’s retail resurgence. First, $75 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) helped bring the Gallery Place retail, entertainment and residential complex to 7th and H Streets with 80,000 SF of destination retail. Second, the DC government created the Downtown Retail TIF Program, available to retailers not yet in DC that can serve as anchors to attract additional destination retailers here. The TIF helps pay for a portion of a retailer’s investment in in-store build out by dedicating the sales taxes from store sales to the retailer, up to a city-approved dollar amount. To date, the city has awarded about $8.6 million out of the total $30 million program, supporting Zara, west elm and H&M. The remaining $21.4 million in program funds should help bring another 170,000 SF of destination retail to Downtown. Third, the DC government is requiring significant retail space in the old Convention Center redevelopment site. The initial Hines redevelopment will include 280,000 SF of retail, and a good percentage of this space will go to unique and destination retail. Another 40,000 SF to 200,000 SF of destination retail will be built on the remaining land. Thus, government-supported Downtown destination retail could total more than 600,000 SF of Downtown’s future one million SF. This retail is estimated to yield, in today’s dollars, more than $500 per SF in sales, or $17 million a year in sales taxes.
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 Building a Presidential Legacy
The Ford’s Theatre (511 10th Street) has embarked on a $40 million renovation and expansion campaign to help enrich the visitor experience and to contribute to President Abraham Lincoln’s vast legacy. Through this campaign, entitled "Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Campaign - A Living Memorial to Our 16th President," the nationally-recognized producer of American theatre will offer a newly created 10th Street campus comprised of the renovated Theatre building and its new adjoining lobby space. The Peterson House, where Lincoln died the morning after he was shot, will also receive renovations and a soon-to-be purchased property across from the Theatre (514 10th Street) will be celebrated as the Center for Education and Leadership. The Theatre also plans to increase its educational and historical programs and expand Lincoln’s legacy into the classroom by offering an innovative new website and off-site extension programming.
Since re-opening in 1968, Ford’s Theatre has become one of Downtown's and DC’s most popular destinations with more than one million visitors each year. The grand re-opening season is planned for 2009, which will include a full dedication of the new Ford’s Theatre campus on the 200th anniversary of President Lincoln’s birth. For more information, visit http://www.fordstheatre.com/.
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Courtyard for the Masses
 The highly anticipated, glass-canopied courtyard designed by world-renowned architect Norman Foster will open this month at the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture (8th and F Streets), which houses the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Named after Robert and Arlene Kogod, the enclosed 28,000 square foot courtyard will feature a café and provide a year-round public gathering space for visitors, workers and residents in the heart of Downtown.
On Sunday, November 18, the Smithsonian and Target will host an all-day festival in the Kogod Courtyard where visitors can experience interactive art activities, live music, dance and theatrical performances. Admission is free. For more information, call 202.633.1000 or visit http://www.npg.si.edu/ or http://www.reynoldscenter.org/.
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Top Grade Energy
The Willard InterContinental Hotel (1401 Pennsylvania Avenue) continues its commitment to preserving the environment by partnering with PEPCO Energy Services, who will power the premiere historic luxury hotel with 100% wind energy.
PEPCO Energy Services, a leader in renewable electricity, will provide the landmark hotel with nearly 7.1 million kilowatt hours of 100% wind renewable energy certificates, making the Willard the first urban luxury hotel in the U.S. to be fully supported in this sustainable manner. Electricity produced from renewable resources reduces greenhouse gases, such as CO2. Wind energy is particularly effective in reducing such gases because there are no air emissions associated with operating wind generators. PEPCO Energy Services also supplies 100% renewable resources to the Statue of Liberty, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) headquarters in DC.
The wind energy program is just one of the many environmentally-conscious choices the hotel has made since embarking on a sustainability agenda entitled, "Willard InterContinental - The Next 100 Years." Hervé Houdré, the hotel’s general manager said, "We are pleased to be increasing the Willard InterContinental Hotel's environmental commitment through our recent purchase of wind energy from PEPCO Energy Services. This fits as one of many components of our Sustainable Development strategy." For more information, visit http://www.washington.interconti.com/.
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Bring the Kids
The Shakespeare Theatre Company (450 7th Street) will offer $10 tickets for the 2007-2008 season to theatergoers 35 and younger in a new effort to help build younger audiences. A total of 20,000 tickets at $10 will be distributed through three programs: 20/10, the Company’s new ticket program for audiences 35 and under; SHAKESPEARIENCE, the Company’s student matinee program; and Student Preview Tickets, the Company’s student program for preview week performances.
"The Shakespeare Theatre Company has long desired to increase access to its work for audiences 35 and younger. With the opening of the new Sidney Harman Hall - the Shakespeare Theatre Company can now expand programs for this audience and for whom ticket price is often a barrier," explained Michael Kahn, artistic director of the Shakespeare Theatre Company.
Tickets will be sold in person at the Sidney Harman Hall Box Office (610 F Street), and ID is required to purchase tickets. Students should call the Company’s Box Office at 202.547.1122. Valid student ID is required when picking up tickets at the Will Call window. Schools interested in the SHAKESPERIENCE program should contact the Company’s Education Department at 202.547.5688. For more information, visit http://www.shakespearetheatre.org/.
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The Birth of Cool
The Park at Fourteenth, a new venture from nightclub innovators Dirk van Stockum and Marc Barnes, is open at 920 14th Street overlooking Franklin Square. van Stockum, the man behind TAO in Las Vegas and BED in New York City, is bringing sophisticated cool to style-conscious Washingtonians in what is described as "a throwback to venues of an earlier era, such as The Stork Club." Creative American classics from Executive Chef James Balster will be featured on the first two floors and a lounge area with DJs playing a blend of jazz and world beats will be devoted to the top two floors.
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Also look for special events such as culinary and wine tastings and art exhibitions. The restaurant will be open for dinner Monday through Saturday. The lounge will be open Thursday through Saturday. For reservations call, 202.737.PARK (7275). For more information, visit http://www.theparkat14th.com/.
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A New Roommate for Lincoln House
The Waffle Shop has found a new home. The classic 1950s-style coffee shop, which closed earlier this year, has moved into the Lincoln House Restaurant Bar and Deli (504 10th Street). The Lincoln House combines carryout and deli foods with a menu consisting of everything from pizza to crab cakes to any type of sandwich imaginable, plus a full breakfast to boot. Plus, Lincoln House sits only two doors from where the Waffle Shop once fed loyal customers each day. Now patrons longing for a hot waffle with a friendly smile will be happy to know that both the menu and the Waffle Shop staff can be found at the Lincoln House. For more information, call 202.638.4008.
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Are You On the List?
Enjoying cocktail fare and hors d’oeuvres while taking in a rooftop view of Downtown DC as a DJ spins ambient tunes now requires a reservation. The new Thursday night rooftop "Happy Hour 101" recently launched by Charlie Palmer Steak (101 Constitution Avenue) received such an overwhelming response, that the restaurant now must enforce a "reservation only" policy and turn away any walk-ins. For reservations, call 202.547.8100.
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Esquire Epicures Pick Ethnic Eats and Belgian Beer
Two Downtown eateries made Esquire magazine’s "2007 Best New Restaurants" list. Chef/Owner José Andrés and Chef de Cuisine Joe Raffa of Oyamel (401 Seventh Street)  were noted for their small plates  inspired by the tantalizing street fare of Guadalajara and for offering "some of the most sophisticated Mexican food you'll ever eat." Over at Brasserie Beck (1101 K Street), Belgian Chef/Owner Robert Wiedmaier mixes Alsace, Montparnasse and Antwerp on his menu, and stocks more than 100 Belgian beers in this "true brasserie that echoes the brasseries of Parisian train stations." The magazine suggests sampling one of the nine Belgian beers on tap while waiting for a table. For reservations, call Oyamel at 202.628.1005 or visit http://www.oyamel.com/ or Brasserie Beck at 202.408.1717 or visit http://www.beckdc.com/.
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Healthy Discourse
Douglas Development and the Downtown Neighborhood Association have launched an online petition to help bring Whole Foods Market to a 21,000-square-foot space in The Jefferson at Penn Quarter on 7th Street between D and E Streets. Douglas Development has been engaged in discussions with the popular grocer, noted for its vast selection of natural and organic foods, to lease space in the Downtown and serve the growing number of residents and workers in the area. By creating this petition, the Association hopes to convince Whole Foods Market executives that there is strong Downtown support for the store. To sign the petition, visit http://www.DCDNA.org/Petition.html.
Shop ‘Til You Drop
Fans of fashion retailer Zara now can browse for chic apparel and accessories at the Spanish retailer’s new Downtown DC location. The 14,000-square foot store opened last month in the Woodies building at 10th and F Streets shortly after west elm
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