Beating the Competition
The Downtown BID has released the second Leadership Paper entitled “The District of Columbia’s Competitive Position in the Regional Office Market.”  The report examines future challenges to sustaining the strong commercial office market growth realized in DC over the past 10 years. It also focuses on the city’s growing cost disadvantage, such as high rental rates, high building operating costs and property taxes, which have almost doubled over the past five years.

The report also highlights the office market’s contribution to DC's recent financial resurgence, thus enabling the city to take on important social investment programs to improve public schools and provide affordable housing.  Finally, it suggests several policy options to counter suburban competition: moderate commercial tax relief to reduce the current cost disadvantage, continued investment in select sections of the economy, infrastructure and place making to maintain DC’s amenity advantage in established office markets and creating competitive amenities in emerging office markets.

The first leadership paper, entitled “Downtown: The Economic and Fiscal Engine of the District of Columbia,” garnered significant media attention on Downtown’s role in the financial success of the city. The report focused on job growth, office development and fiscal impacts, and highlighted Downtown’s value in the marketplace, and consequently, its importance to the city’s fiscal health and economic stability. These reports can be viewed online at http://www.downtowndc.org/programs/economic_development/downtown-leadership-papers.

The BID’s third Leadership Paper, examining the vital role of public investment in Downtown, will be released later this month. Look for more leadership papers throughout the year examining major investment categories such as transportation, parks, homelessness and green building initiatives.

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Home of the Young, Smart and Affluent
The results from the Downtown Neighborhood Survey, sponsored by the Downtown BID, the Downtown Neighborhood Association and the Downtowner, revealed that BID area residents are young, well educated and earn high household incomes. A total of 47% of survey respondents were younger than 35 years old, 95% held undergraduate or graduate degrees and 40% of households earned more than $150,000 annually. Survey participants responded to 31 questions designed to gain a better understanding of the rapidly growing Downtown community and to aid in further retail attraction and revitalization efforts. A total of 974 people completed the survey over a 46-day period.

The complete results of the survey will be revealed on Friday, February 15, 2008, at 10:00 am at the Hotel Monaco (700 F Street NW). BB&T Bank donated $1 per completed survey to Catholic Charities’ Downtown homeless services program and will present the organization with a check for $974. In addition, the Downtown BID and the Downtowner also will announce the winner of the survey’s two grand prizes: the first is a weekend stay for two at the Hotel Monaco and dinner for four at a Downtown restaurant, and the second is a weekend stay at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel in historic downtown Staunton, Virginia. Additional survey participants will receive gift certificates to Acadiana, Austin Grill, Café Atlantico, Ceiba, DC Coast, Gordon Biersch, Jaleo, Oyamel, Ten Penh and Zaytinya.

For information regarding Downtown Neighborhood Survey results and prizewinners, visit http://www.downtowndc.org/survey.

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Wrapping Up the Holiday Market
The 2007 Downtown Holiday Market concluded December 23, 2007, with record-breaking attendance as nearly 150,000 patrons filled the F Street sidewalk between 7th and 8th Streets for 17 days to satisfy their gift-giving needs and spent an estimated $600,000. The third annual market produced by the Downtown BID and Diverse Markets Management was filled with a festive atmosphere, live musical entertainment and more than 140 artisans selling a diverse array of high-quality goods and gift items.
 
“The 2007 Downtown Holiday Market is a unique shopping experience unlike any other in the city and continues to provide Downtown residents, workers and visitors with a vibrant holiday experience in the heart of Washington, DC,” said Richard H. Bradley, executive director of the Downtown DC BID.

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Roll Out the Pink Carpet
Warmer weather is just around the corner and with that comes DC's and Downtown’s signature springtime event, the National Cherry Blossom Festival®, from March 29 - April 13.  Mark your calendars for the pre-festival kick-off with the second annual Pink Tie Party dinner and silent auction to be held Wednesday, February 27, at the Madison Hotel (15th and M Streets NW).  Silent auction items will include art, airline tickets, hotel stays, Verizon Center boxes for Washington Wizards and Capitals games and more. Proceeds from this event will help underwrite festival programs.
 
Venture out of the ballroom and into the streets for the Parade of the National Cherry Blossom Festival presented by Southwest Airlines on Saturday, April 12. Do you know a young person who sings or dances? Applications are being accepted for the NCBF Youth Choir and All Star Tap Team. All young singers and dancers are welcome to participate. The application deadline is Monday, February 25.
 
For a complete listing of upcoming Festival events and merchandise selections, or to purchase parade tickets and more, visit http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/.

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Moving Forward
The Downtown BID is taking a leadership role to help sustain Downtown’s growing population with efficient and environmentally appropriate transportation offerings. The BID recently hosted a public program on the next generation of transit and DC’s transit future. The event brought together a panel of expert transit and urban design leaders in an effort to glean insights from best practices and the experiences of other transportation successes as we continue to determine what works best for the city.

Emmanuel Martin, chief of the Mobilien Division for Paris, France, discussed the Mobilien project, which is creating a genuine surface transport network that is modern, practical, fast, reliable and safe. Its main goal is to cut down on car traffic and boost mass transit and other energy-saving, low-polluting means of transportation. As a key strategy to achieve these mobility goals, Paris has launched a rapid bus service on major streets that use dedicated bus ways.

Greg Baldwin, a leading architect and urban designer from Portland, Oregon, was involved in the design of that city's streetcar corridors, which have catalyzed more than $22.8 billion in new development.

Emeka Moneme, director of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), outlined the principles guiding the development of new forms of transit, including streetcar, bus rapid transit, Metro Extra bus service and the Circulator.   

As Downtown DC’s job and resident growth and many cultural and entertainment attractions create a growing demand for transportation, a healthy economy and a healthy environment will require new ways of meeting this demand. 

Downtown BID Board Chair Matt Klein has said of the vision for transit in 2012, “We would expect to see expanded Circulator service reaching out into neighboring areas such as Adams Morgan and Capitol Hill, and providing a new kind of public transit service that the National Park Service began studying in 2003. We expect to see a new streetcar service along the east side of the Anacostia River, with well underway to extend the service across H Street NE, connecting to K Street NW, and terminating in Georgetown."

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Welcome Mr. Green
Scott Pomeroy joins the Downtown BID staff as the new environmental programs manager. In his new role, Scott is charged with leading the BID’s green initiative, which will include meeting with property managers, business executives and government partners to assess current practices and assist in developing future energy efficiency programs and incentives, and also furthering the BID’s role in shaping Downtown’s vending regulations. Scott previously served as the director of the 14th Street New Main Street program and most recently as the executive director of the Midtown Association.

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Farewell Dear Friend
John Mack, founding member of the Downtown BID and faithful servant to the Downtown community, died recently, leaving a legacy of dedicated service behind.

A Princeton University and Union Theological Seminary graduate and Vietnam veteran, John fought fearlessly against injustice and was an advocate for creating diverse, multi-racial and multi-cultural congregations. John became pastor of First Congregational United Church of Christ (504 3rd Street NW) in 1984, and retired in 2007 to embark on the next phase of his life. While vacationing in Nepal, John developed a severe lung infection, which ultimately took his life. He was 65 years old.

John was a champion for Downtown and its homeless population. He used his voice to promote a "living" Downtown, and to help establish the Downtown BID, where he served on the Board of Directors for 10 years until his retirement. He will be remembered as a guiding force behind the BID’s homeless outreach programs and the Downtown Services Center, which was housed at the church. 
 
"John was a true champion for Downtown’s homeless and was passionate about the future of Downtown," said Richard H. Bradley, executive director of the Downtown DC BID. "We will miss his influence and leadership greatly." 

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Serving with Pride
The December Safety Hospitality SAM of the Month is Nickcaro Smith, a Washington, DC, native who joined the BID in 2004. Nickcaro worked previously in the White House and also served in the U.S. Army. He enjoys being a SAM and loves to keep busy working on home improvement and landscaping projects in his spare time.

Manuel Loza is the Maintenance SAM of the Month for December. Manuel has been with the BID for more than 10 years and is a member of the 6:00 am team. Manuel performs all types of maintenance tasks throughout the BID and when he’s not working to keep Downtown beautiful and vibrant, Manuel enjoys spending time with his family. 

Congratulations to a pair of outstanding SAMs who are setting the standard for making Downtown a vibrant, inviting and smart destination. Keep up the good work!

Cold Weather Help
The Downtown BID’s outreach team is on the street everyday assisting homeless people who are facing extreme weather conditions. People in need of help during these cold winter months can notify a Downtown SAM or call the city’s Hypothermia Hotline at 800.535.7252 for assistance.

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Downtown Grows Up
The Downtown BID experienced a year of population growth in 2007, adding approximately 420 new residents. This increase is due in part to three Downtown residential project completions, including the Newseum Residences with 135 apartments, Ten Ten Mass with 163 condominiums and the Grant, a 63-unit condominium building. Just outside the BID in the Mount Vernon Triangle, projects welcoming new residents in 2007 included the L Condos at City Vista (149 condominiums) and the Madrigal Lofts (259 condominiums).

The BID area’s residential increase contributed to the net population growth in Washington, DC, in 2007. The U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program estimates total resident population by measuring births, deaths and net migration in DC every year.  According to Census Bureau estimates released last December, DC has demonstrated seven consecutive years of population growth, with 16,493 new residents since 2000 for a total of 588,292.

The Census Bureau also adjusted their July 1, 2006, population estimate for DC to show a greater number of people residing in the city at that time. The original figure, released in 2006, accounted for 581,530 residents but was modified later to reflect 585,459 residents. This year’s estimate shows a 1.16% increase in total population from the original 2006 estimate.

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Development Action
The 2007 3rd Quarter Development Activity Report highlighting development, construction and future Downtown projects as of September 30, 2007, is now available.  If you wish to obtain a copy of this report, please click here.

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DC is Hot
The Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate (AFIRE) has released its most recent survey showing that DC continues to rank as one of the strongest investment markets in the world: second nationally behind New York City and ahead of Los Angeles and San Francisco; and fourth internationally behind London, New York City and Paris. “The ascension of NY and Washington, DC, as the two top global cities represents a very strong showing for U.S. real estate,” said Karin Shewer, principal, Real Estate Capital Partners, and the new chairman of AFIRE. “It is the only time since the global city category was added to our survey that U.S. cities have taken first and second spots.” For more information, visit http://www.afire.org/

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  Just in Time for Valentine’s Day
Co Co. Sala is scheduled to open at 929 F Street this month and will offer espresso and chocolate-based drinks, artisanal chocolates, pastries and other desserts. The 5,000-square-foot space will be open Monday through Friday for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and for dinner and late nights on Saturdays as well as all-day Sunday brunch.

The restaurant will also feature custom made creations for patrons looking to take pastries or handmade chocolates home with them. For reservations or additional information, call 202.347.4265 or visit http://www.cocosala.com/.

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Sei What You Want
Sushi fans can look forward to Sei (444 7th Street), a new Asian restaurant opening later this month. The restaurant will include sushi, along with inventive small and larger plates and sake and wine on its menu.  For more information, visit http://www.seirestaurant.com/.

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Second Time Around
After a five-year run, Cafe 15, the French restaurant in the Sofitel Lafayette Square Hotel (806 15th Street), is closing its doors. The restaurant will be replaced with a more casual menu and atmosphere and will re-open later this month as Ici, and will offer classic bistro dishes. For more information, call 202.737.8800.

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On the Move
On The Fly has opened its second SmartKart market Downtown on the northwest corner of 7th and F Streets. This cart features lunch selections from Rocklands BBQ, gourmet sandwiches, salads and natural and organic snacks and drinks. The first SmartKart opened on the southwest corner of 8th and H Streets in December and features fresh Mexican tacos, Julia’s Empanadas, natural and organic drinks and snacks.  For more information, call 202.251.8222 or visit http://www.ontheflydc.com/.

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Kitchen Makeover
Chef/Owner Charlie Palmer has announced that Charlie Palmer Steak (101 Constitution Avenue) Executive Chef Bryan Voltaggio is leaving his current post to open a restaurant in his hometown of Frederick and Executive Chef Matt Hill will head up the kitchen. Hill comes from the newly opened Charlie Palmer Steak and Fin Fish in Reno, Nevada, and was also instrumental in the opening of the Downtown DC location nearly five years ago. Palmer said this is a great opportunity for Hill to showcase his talents, stating that, “He’s able to take traditional steakhouse offerings and re-interpret them to create inventive, yet approachable dishes that appeal to more than the ‘meat and potatoes’ crowd.” For more information, visit http://www.charliepalmer.com/.

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Watch Out for the Cops
Cops and other patrons will get a jolt out of the new Dunkin Donuts now open at 601 F Street. The coffee and doughnut shop has filled the location formerly occupied by Juan Valdez and will be open seven days a week. For more information, call 202.393.6006.

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Best of the Best
A staggering 23 of the Downtown BID area’s top restaurant's made the list in The Washingtonian magazine’s 2008 “100 Best Restaurants.” For the second year in a row, Minibar at Café Atlántico took honors for culinary achievement ranking fifth on the list.  Rounding out the top 25 were new and notable restaurants, as well as old favorites, including Central Michel Richard, Charlie Palmer Steak, The Source, Corduroy and Ristorante Tosca.

Among the rest of the best: Bistro Bis - Hotel George, Brasserie Beck, Butterfield 9, Café Atlántico, Café du Parc, Ceiba, DC Coast, Jaleo Downtown, Johnny’s Half Shell, Le Paradou, Oyamel, Poste Moderne Brasserie - Hotel Monaco, Proof, PS 7’s, Rasika, Zaytinya and Zengo.

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AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Lend a Helping Hand
The Textile Museum is opening a second site at 421 7th Street dedicated to exhibitions and educational activities and is seeking education volunteers to assist with weekend and weekday evening programs, lectures, openings and family events.  For more information, visit http://www.textilemuseum.org/education/volunteer.htm or call 202.667.0441, ext. 35.

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Online Crime Crusade
A new website unlocks the details on the National Crime and Punishment Museum opening in May at 575 7th Street. The Museum, which will feature all things crime, will also boast an interactive CSI experience and provide exhibits on the history of American crime and punishment. Tickets will range from $17.95 for adults to $14.95 for seniors and children ages five-11. Children under five will be admitted for free. Visit http://www.crimemuseum.org/ for more information.

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Making Plans
The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) has approved preliminary building and site plans for the National Law Enforcement Museum slated to open in Judiciary Square in 2011. The plans, which were submitted by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, involve constructing an underground museum with two entrance pavilions located in the 400 block of E Street and a plaza that the museum and the District of Columbia Courts will share. 

Highlights of the design include flush translucent pavers to provide daylight to the primarily underground facility, extensive landscaping and opaque glazing on the interior museum walls. NCPC consulted with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) for final site and building plans, and considered factors such as minimizing adverse traffic impacts, incorporating low-intensity-development in the final landscape and more in order to approve the preliminary plans. For more information on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund or Museum, visit http://www.nleomf.org/ or http://www.lawenforcementmuseum.org/.

NCPC also commended the Smithsonian’s Patent Office Building, a National Historic Landmark that houses the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture for the F Street stair reconstruction, landscape plans, security requirements and signs. It also approved a permanent exhibit on the history of the building’s architecture and ornamentation. However, plans including 15 installed and proposed signs on the sidewalks and cast iron fence and lettering on the building’s exterior at the north and south entrances were not approved. For more information on the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, visit http://www.reynoldscenter.org./

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Carrying the Torch
The Shakespeare Theatre Company (450 7th Street) Board of Trustees has elected Michael R. Klein as its new chairman. Klein replaces outgoing Chairman Landon Butler, the driving force behind creating and developing the Harman Center for the Arts during his nearly 10-year tenure. Klein joined the Board of Trustees in 2007 and has been a loyal subscriber and patron since the late 1990s. 

Klein co-founded a number of organizations and on whose Boards he sits:  CoStar Group, Inc., Le Paradou, LLC (678 Indiana Avenue), Zenith Gallery, Inc. (413 7th Street),  SRA, International and Astar Air Cargo, Inc.

For more information, visit http://www.shakespearetheatre.org/.

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RETAIL RAMBLINGS

Stepping Out
Alden Shoes (921 F Street), manufacturers of quality men’s shoes since 1884, will set up shop Downtown this month. For more information, visit http://www.aldenshoes.com/.

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A Rare Gem
One-of-a kind and limited edition pieces from some of the most creative artists in the U.S. and abroad can be found at Mia Gemma, now open at 933 F Street. Owner Irene Barbieri says, “The pieces I choose excite my sense of adventure and style, and endure beyond fashion that comes and goes with the seasons.”  For more information, call 202.393.GEMS (4367).

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Final Snapshot
Long-time Downtown fixture, Motophoto (400 7th Street), closed its doors in January. Owner Peggy Palmiter said, “We have seen many changes in our business and in our neighborhood and we have enjoyed being a part of it all.” Call 202.783.4880 for more information.

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TRANSPORTATION TALK

It’s Better to Share
Based on the findings and conclusions of the recently completed carsharing initiative, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has decided to continue supporting this successful transportation alternative. The evaluation found that these new efforts increased awareness of carsharing services, reduced car ownership and planned car purchases leading to reduced traffic congestion, reduced parking congestion, reduced auto emissions and increased mobility options for those unable to purchase a car.
 
Carsharing provides the mobility of a car without the expense and hassle of car ownership. Studies in DC and Arlington, Virginia, show that as many as 50 to 90 members can use a single carsharing vehicle , thus helping to reduce parking and traffic congestion. For this reason, DDOT will provide a limited number of strategically placed curbside parking spaces for the exclusive use of carsharing vehicles.
 
Drivers can rent privately owned vehicles by the hour or day, or choose from a low emission and environmentally friendly fleet of cars located near Metro stations and neighborhood centers throughout DC. DDOT is welcoming comments on the evaluation, which can be found on the DDOT website at http://www.ddot.dc.gov/.

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NEWS YOU CAN USE

Last Chance to Speak Up
The National Park Service (NPS) held three public meetings in January on its Mall management plan has decided to extend the public comment period until February 15, 2008.  NPS hopes to engage the DC government, local residents and citizens across the country in planning the future of the National Mall. To learn more about the proposals included in NPS’s Newsletter #3, visit http://www.nps.gov/nationalmallplan/.

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Community Crime Stoppers
Join the new First District community-police listserv group for Downtown residents and workers to help prevent crime and raise awareness through new police-community online discussions set up by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Sign up by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MPD-1D/ or visit http://www.mpdc.dc.gov/ and go to Police District and PSA’s to view First District information.

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Data Delivery
The Office of Revenue Analysis has released its Economic Report of the District of Columbia for 2007, which draws on the city’s tax data, in combination with other sources, to add a unique perspective of DC’s economy. The report also provides useful information on income, sales, real property transactions, office buildings, public utilityusage and other economic events. View a copy of the report here.  http://cfo.dc.gov/cfo/frames.asp?doc=/cfo/lib/cfo/economic_report_fy_2007.pdf.

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MEETINGS AND MORE

Tuesday, February 5, 7:30 am - 10:30 am
ULI Washington
Breakfast Meeting Series II and III - A Time of Change: Economic, Geographic and Political Transition in the Washington Region
Grand Hyatt Washington at Washington Center
1000 H Street

David Forrester of Forrester Construction Company leads a discussion with Robert E. Buchanan of Buchanan Partners, LLC, on the significant impact of capital markets, slow job growth and environmental sustainability on development in the DC region. In the second session, moderator Laura C. Cole, vice president for Busness Development at RCLCO, leads a panel on “Recalibrating Expectations: Drivers, Locations and Timing of Future Growth.” Series package for public sector is limited to first 100 registrants. Fees increase by $25 for additional registrants.  Pre-register online at http://www.uli.org/.  For more information, call ULI Customer Service at 800.321.5011 or 410.626.7505.

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Tuesday, February 12, 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 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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Wednesday, February 13, 9:30 am
Washington, DC Economic Partnership
Business Premier Presents: Finding and Keeping Talent:  Strategies for Workforce Development
Washington, DC Economic Partnership
1495 F Street

Learn how to find and cultivate talent, determine factors for temp vs. hire and gain a better understanding of the city’s strategy on the future of its workforce. To register, visit www.wdcep.com/ and click on “Economic Partnership Events” or call 202.661.8670. 

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Thursday, February 21, 7:30 am - 10:30 am
DC Building Industry Association
Transfer Development Rights
National Press Club
14th and F Streets

Leading experts will discuss development, zoning, architecture and engineering, construction and leasing and marketing issues involving transfer development rights.  Speakers include J.P. Spickler, AIA, principal of FOX Architects; Tom Wilber, senior vice president, Development, Akridge; Allison Prince, partner, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman; Dennis Cotter, senior executive vice president, James G. Davis Construction Corporation; and Holly Davis, managing director, Jones Lang LaSalle.  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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Wednesday, February 27, 8:00 am
Washington, DC Economic Partnership
inDC:  Leinberger, Wells and Tregoning on Walkable Urban Communities
Washington, DC Economic Partnership
American Association for the Advancement of Science Theater
1200 New York Avenue

Join Christopher Leinberger, a land use strategist and developer; DC Councilmember Tommy Wells (Ward 6); and Harriet Tregoning, director, DC Office of Planning, in a discussion on walkable communities and what it takes to create them. To register, visit www.wdcep.com/ and click on “Economic Partnership Events” or call 202.661.8670.

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