| www.downtowndc.org/update |
March 2010 |
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| BID BIZ |
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Snow Stories
A special detail of the Downtown SAMs braved the elements and overcame transportation obstacles to report to work during the unprecedented
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SAMs clearing snow on the 800 block of F Street.
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snowstorm. Armed with shovels and ice breakers, this select crew cleared handicap ramps, sidewalks, crosswalks, storm drains and bus shelters in Downtown where more than three feet of snow had accumulated.
“During unusual conditions, when mounds of snow were too high to navigate safely, we focused on aiding pedestrians in making their way to work, restaurants, shopping and entertainment destinations without incident,” said Richard H. Bradley, executive director of the Downtown BID.
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) oversees removing snow and ice from public streets, while private property owners are responsible for clearing sidewalks adjacent to their buildings. The unique challenges of back-to-back, record-breaking snowfalls resulted in the Downtown BID assisting both by monitoring conditions, reporting hazardous conditions and removing snow at critical locations to ensure pedestrian safety.
Working with partners such as property managers, the DDOT and the Department of Public Works (DPW) to coordinate efforts and work efficiently, Maintenance SAMs prioritized areas with the heaviest pedestrian traffic during the wintry whiteout. The entertainment and restaurant corridor where Gallery Place (7th and H Streets) and the Verizon Center (601 F Street) are located received high attention as visitors and residents gathered regardless of the weather.
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As the first blizzard ended, fans streamed in by Metro and on foot to attend the Capitols game. SAMs and community service workers were visible, shoveling crosswalks and bus shelters to clear pathways for pedestrians. Grateful fans congratulated the SAMs as they left the arena. But Zone Cleaner Timothy Hillie replied, “We’re just doing what we do—we’re Downtown SAMs!” They continued to work tirelessly through the holiday weekend to clean storm drains and basins, and to maintain safe access for returning workers and visitors.
 From among more than 100 Downtown BID’s, about 48 constitute the maintenance team, with a select few working on the snow-clearing team. All Maintenance SAMs have been working to clear snow since BID offices reopened on February 12. They continued to work with property owners and the city to ensure that snow drains were cleared appropriately to reduce the risk of flooding as the thaw began. They also assessed damage to trees and parks, cleared solar parking meters of snow and continued to monitor critical roadways that had snow piles and reported hazards to DDOT.
“This was a big deal—people have come to expect a certain experience in Downtown,” said Everett D. E. Scruggs, the Downtown BID’s director of operations. “We did our best to deliver service in spite of overwhelming conditions.”
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“Please extend my deepest appreciation to the special detail of the Downtown DC Business Improvement District’s Safety, Hospitality and Maintenance workers. They did a tremendous job with clearing the handicap ramps, sidewalks, crosswalks, storm drains, bus shelters and other often un-thought about places in our downtown area. This kind of supplemental service is what 'good neighbors’ are all about."
- Michael A. Brown
DC Councilmember At-Large
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“Thank you to the Downtown SAMs! The crosswalks are so important to pedestrians. We really appreciate the attention to them—and clearing access to storm drains and tree maintenance. Typically, the streets and sidewalks get cleared, but pedestrians can’t get from one to the other without difficulty.”
- Jane Passman
Smithsonian Institution
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“SAMs did an incredible job clearing the sidewalks, and especially the handicap ramps around the BID. No other part of the city was cleared as quickly as the Downtown area. Thanks!!!"
-John Voci
City Segway Tours
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“Madame Tussauds DC would like to thank your SAMs for their tireless work of snow removal during the recent snowstorm. Thanks for all that you and your staff do!”
-Lisa Kunkler McClure
Madame Tussauds
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 Homeless Count
Despite the recession, the Downtown BID continues to make progress removing chronically homeless individuals from the streets into appropriate housing. The results of a homeless enumeration taken on January 27 show 73 homeless people were living on Downtown streets at night. This compares with 139 recorded in January 2008—a 47% decline—and a final count of 93 recorded in 2009. DC Department of Mental Health officials, DC City Council staff members, property manager volunteers and security company management conducted the count. To assess the number of homeless people living on the streets throughout the US, simultaneous enumerations took place across the city and the nation.
“Homeless encampments still present a serious challenge, although the numbers have fallen,” says Chet Grey, the Downtown BID’s Homeless Services director. “The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has been a great partner in assisting some of these people, who are the most difficult to place in housing because they are resistant to any intervention, thus far.”
The Downtown BID’s Homeless Services Team has been working for three years to reduce the number of people living on Downtown streets. The team uses a pragmatic, street-to-independence outreach program that moves the chronically homeless into permanent supportive housing. So far, the Housing First strategy, an innovative and progressive approach to end chronic homelessness, is working. The BID partners with Pathways to Housing DC to place people in permanent supportive housing, transitional housing or shelters. Out-of-DC homeless individuals are assisted in returning home to their home states. Utilizing Housing First, the DC Department of Human Services (DHS) has housed more than 700 homeless people, not including families, over the past 17 months. An additional 350 will be moved into housing in the coming months.
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2010 Artwork by Junko Yamada
Medium: "Harie" - Japanese rice paper collage
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Welcome Relief
Start thinking pink and get ready for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, DC and Downtown’s most popular springtime event. The two-week celebration kicks off Saturday, March 27, and ends Sunday, April 11. More than a million visitors turn out annually for the celebration, which continues to demonstrate global appeal and draw large community support. This year’s event will once again feature citywide activities filled with cultural shows, performances, art exhibits, fireworks, international cuisine and, of course, the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, taking place on Saturday, April 10, along Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th Streets.
Of particular note: cultural performances at The Target Stage, located at the Sylvan Theater on the grounds of the Washington Monument. The stage will be operational throughout the Festival, from noon to 5:00 pm on weekdays, and from noon to 6:00 pm on weekends.
The festivities really get underway at the fourth annual Pink Tie Party dinner and silent auction on Thursday, March 11, at the W Hotel (515 15th Street). Celebrity chef Charlie Palmer of Charlie Palmer Steak (101 Constitution Avenue) is hosting the gala, featuring a sneak preview of Washington’s top chefs and their cherry-inspired dishes and cocktails. Tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds from this event will help underwrite Festival programs. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.
The Downtown BID provides a home base and critical staffing for the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Among the 14 participating sponsors are Target (in its ninth consecutive year), State Farm, McDonald’s, Safeway and Shiseido, Japan’s largest cosmetics company.
 Walk on the Wild Side
Richard Reinhard, deputy executive director of the Downtown BID, has joined the 12-member Capital Fringe Festival Board of Directors. The BID is a huge sponsor of the award-winning, independent performing arts festival, which provides outlets and opportunities for artists to self-produce in a nurturing and supportive environment. This year, the wacky and wonderful Fringe Festival descends on Downtown from July 8 through July 25. To get a head start on the festivities, Capital Fringe will launch “Wattage,” a new performance series, in mid-April. The series will encourage performing arts groups and artists to create works about responsible 21st century citizenry and coincide with the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, on April 22. For more information about the Fringe Festival, visit www.capitalfringe.org.
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| DEVELOPMENT DOINGS |
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 All About Business
CoStar Group, Inc., the leading provider of commercial real estate information, marketing and analytic services, moved recently to 1331 L Street from Bethesda, Maryland. The company, which started in DC more than two decades ago, paid $41.25 million to purchase the 10-story, 168,000 square foot (SF) Mortgage Bankers Association of America (MBAA) headquarters building. MBAA paid $76 million for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold property less than two years ago. The City Council passed legislation in January to make it possible for CoStar to qualify for a $6.1 million, 10-year tax abatement, if the company hires 100 DC residents, which it plans to do within the year.
Mayor Adrian Fenty and Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Valerie Santos are working proactively to bring and keep businesses in DC, in order to strengthen and diversify the city’s revenue base as well as increase residential employment. Last year, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) established policies and procedures for facilitating businesses’ assistance requests and created a designated Business Attraction and Retention Team.
Back to Business
Two Downtown eateries, Chipotle Mexican Grill at 7th and G Streets and Starbucks (800 7th Street), closed temporarily for renovations in January. Both are back. Starbucks revamped its two-level space in a week’s time, emerging with a completely new décor and more seats for customers. Chipotle, sporting a fresh look, took about five weeks to create more efficient food preparation space. The 7th Street location is the busiest and one of the smallest in the Chipotle network.
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| DOWNTOWN DISH |
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 Tackle This
Look for the old Waffle House (522 10th Street) to become the second DC location for Tackle Box, a Pure Hospitality Restaurant Group lobster shack. Located across from Ford’s Theatre (511 10th Street), the Waffle House offered steaks, grilled chicken and pork chops for breakfast, in addition to waffles, hot cakes and French toast. A different aroma will waft through the 10th Street corridor once Tackle Box, a casual sustainable seafood option, opens this fall and begins serving wood-grilled fish, crispy oysters, lobster rolls and other fare. For more information, visit www.tackleboxrestaurant.com.
Filling Up Space
Plans are in the works for 1155 F Street to house two new additions to the casual dining scene in Downtown. New York-based Crumbs Bake Shops, which specializes in cupcakes, will open a store in May. Crumbs’ menu includes taste, classic and signature size cupcakes. At six inches, the signature cupcake is nearly double the supermarket size! Crumbs favors an old-time, warm and inviting candy shop decor with wood cases and marble counters. For more information, visit www.crumbs.com. Pret A Manager, the United Kingdom-based sandwich and salad shop opening this spring, will be its neighbor.
Fresh Goodness
The Italian version of ice cream is coming to 413 7th Street. Pitango Gelato will occupy the former Zenith Gallery space. The no-nonsense gelato and sorbet maker goes to extremes to acquire pure products. It not only uses fresh or organic milk, it uses grass-fed organic milk—raised on its own dairy farm in Pennsylvania! Pitango’s products contain no artificial flavorings, colorings, chemicals, excessive fats or sugars. The store will open this spring. For more information, visit www.pitangogelato.com.
Palatable Variety
Give the proprietors of Pizza Bistro Med (736 6th Street), the new pizzeria and Mediterranean grill, a big hand for going through with their opening plans during last month’s horrific snowstorm. The eatery replaced Pho Sai Gon & Grill. In addition to pizza, Bistro Med offers soups, salads and desserts, plus pitas, kabobs, falafels and pasta dishes. The space is tiny and only seats seven, but it offers carryout, free deliveries and full-service catering. For more information, e-mail bistromeddc@yahoo.com or call 202.393.3300.
Goodbye Good Times
The crowd that loved to dine, wine and be entertained at Posh Restaurant & Supper Club (730 11th Street) will have to find another venue in which to gather. When its lease expired, the restaurant closed its doors last month. Posh received Open Table’s 2009 Diner’s Choice award for its modern American cuisine, offered in an art deco setting.
Star Quality
The Willard Intercontinental Hotel (1401 Pennsylvania Avenue) has nabbed Luc Dendievel as its new executive chef. The Belgian native has been stirring things up in the kitchen since the age of 14, when he studied at l’ecole Hoteliere de Libramont. New York Magazine awarded him a Best of New York 2003 honor when he worked at Brasserie 360, and Sacramento magazine and The Sacramento News & Review recognized him as a Best Chef of Sacramento for stellar achievements at Baccaras and Restaurant 55 Degrees. Dendievel, who has appeared several times on the “Food Network,” will have a full plate at the Willard. He will direct the hotel’s day-to-day cuisine operations in its catering and banquet facilities and oversee culinary quality for Café du Parc (the French bistro), the Round Robin Bar and Peacock Alley, which offers traditional afternoon tea.
Easy on the Wallet
Kudos to Matchbox (713 H Street) and the Penn Quarter Sports Tavern (639 Indiana Avenue), two Downtown eateries the Washington Post’s Going Out Guide recognized as favorite spots where it’s possible to “refuel” for less than $15 a person—always a plus in this economy. Matchbox earned praise for its juicy sliders and thin-crust pizzas, but its brunch—particularly smoked salmon or steak with eggs and potatoes and cinnamon-dusted, deep-fried puff “doughnuts”—was noted as the meal worth ordering. The Sports Tavern’s menu reportedly offers pretty standard bar munchies, but they taste great. The newspaper glorified the chunky burgers, which “are cooked to order and perfectly juicy.” Two other menu items garnered equal recognition, the gigantic Reuben and the bite-size fried ravioli. More information, visit www.matchboxdc.com and www.dcsportstavern.com.
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| RETAIL RAMBLINGS |
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 Big Doings at Woodies Building
west elm (1020 G Street), the furniture retailer known for its trademark loft-style designs at affordable prices, will close its first flagship store next month, citing disappointing sales as the reason. The store currently occupies 40,000 square feet (SF) in the historic Woodward & Lothrop building. Forever 21, a Los Angeles-based retailer, signed a lease with Douglas Development (702 H Street) more than a year ago to occupy about 25,000 SF over two floors in the building. With west elm departing, the clothing chain will occupy 65,000 SF on three levels at what will be its first DC location.
west elm opened in August 2007, after receiving $5 million in Downtown Retail Tax Increment Financing (TIF), making it possible for the furniture store to join forces with Douglas Development. According to the Washington Business Journal, Douglas Development is working with the city to transfer the TIF to Forever 21. It is uncertain whether the change requires legislation. Together with H&M (1025 F Street) and Zara (1025 F Street), Forever 21 will create a bustling shoppers’ goods destination in Downtown. More information about Forever 21, the popular teen and young adult store, is available at www.forever21.com.
Closing Up Shop
Say farewell to the Trover Shop (1270 F Street), the latest victim of the recession and the World Wide Web. The longtime Downtown greeting card, gift and novelty store will close later this month. Trover is a family-owned business that began on Capitol Hill more than 50 years ago. At one time it had five locations, including one at 15th and H Streets. In addition to the current economic climate, co-owner Al Shuman also cited another culprit: electronic communications. Fewer people now mail notes and greeting cards. He invites everyone to stop by the shop to take advantage of a clearance sale. For more information, call 202.347.6460.
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| AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD |
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 National Gem
The National Theatre (1321 Pennsylvania Avenue), the nation’s longest operating major touring house, celebrates its 175th birthday this year. The historic theatre has endured two fires and a friendly ghost whose spirit reportedly roams the playhouse on the eve of opening night performances. Established in 1835, the theatre is an important cultural resource as well as a showcase for popular Broadway shows. Located just two blocks from the White House, the “Theatre of Presidents” boasts that every single US president has attended performances there since it opening. The expectation is that Barack Obama will follow suit. Time will tell.
The National has a rich and illustrious past. Nearly every great stage performer of the past century—from Helen Hayes and Laurence Olivier to Cab Calloway and Pearl Bailey—has appeared there. Legend has it that actor John McCullough was allegedly shot and murdered by a fellow actor in the basement. It is his spirit that haunts the place and reportedly once sat in the audience. In 1974, the theatre became a non-profit entity and underwent a major interior renovation 10 years later. Its free Saturday Morning at the National, Monday Night at the National, Summer Cinema and Community Vaudeville programs are a local treasure. The latter takes performers to disadvantaged audiences, including senior centers and residents and children’s organizations.
To celebrate its 175th anniversary, the National Theatre launched its first public fundraising campaign, in which it hopes to raise $175,000. A host of free programs and performances for adults and children are already underway. In addition, the theatre kicked off the year with “Grease,” starring “American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks. “Fiddler on the Roof”debuts in the spring and will run from April 13 through May 9. For more information, including how to contribute to the 175th Anniversary Campaign, visit www.nationaltheatre.org.
 Presidential Tribute
Madame Tussauds (1025 F Street) is taking full advantage of its Washington location by playing to its strength to bring visitors off the National Mall. Soon patrons will be able to greet all 44 US presidents up close and personal. The wax attraction has unveiled plans to create a $2 million US Presidential Gallery, opening this fall. No other venue in the world currently offers visitors the opportunity to “interact” with every single American president, nine of whom are on display now. Those presidents include John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, William Henry Harrison, James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, James Garfield, Chester Alan Arthur, Grover Cleveland and Gerald Ford. Other waxwork unveilings will take place throughout the coming months until all 44 presidents are ready to be installed in the new Gallery, which is bound to bolster attendance at the two-year-old attraction. A US presidential history curriculum will complement the museum’s existing, and free, comprehensive Educational Curriculum Guide. It also will allow educators to provide stimulating lessons before and after their students visit the museum. Thumbs up! For more information visit www.madametussauds.com/washington.
Moving On
Touchstone Gallery, the artist-owned gallery, has moved from its longtime digs at 406 7th Street and is operating online and by appointment only until it settles into 901 New York Avenue later this year. The area around the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (801 Mount Vernon Place) has become the latest hot spot for new galleries, including Civilian Art Projects (1019 7th Street), which also moved from 406 7th Street. Hill Country, the Texas-style barbeque restaurant will open in space both at 406 and 410 7th Street (the former homes of Apartment Zero and Lifestyle USA) over the summer. To keep up with Touchstone, which has an active membership of 30 to 35 artists, visit www.touchstonegallery.com.
The Dating Game
The Washingtonian magazine recently heralded 16 “Great Dates” locations are in Downtown out of a total of 158 across the city. They are:
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Listen Up – Sixth & I Historic Synagogue (600 I Street) |
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See a Show – Landmark E Street Cinema (555 11th Street); Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company (641 D Street)
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Let’s Dance – The Park at Fourteenth (920 14th Street) |
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Something Different – The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink (7th Street and Constitution Avenue); CulinAerie (1131 14th Street); Zola Wine & Kitchen (505 Ninth Street); Willard InterContinental Hotel (1401 Pennsylvania Avenue); and Hotel Monaco (700 F Street) |
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Fun and Games – Rocket Bar (714 7th Street); International Spy Museum (800 F Street) |
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Eat Out – POV (515 15th Street); The Source (575 Pennsylvania Avenue); Rasika (633 D Street); Adour (923 16th Street); PS 7’s (777 I Street) |
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Where to Pop the Question – POV (515 15th Street) |
Poetic Homage
A new poetry anthology, “Full Moon on K Street: Poems about Washington, DC,” celebrates Downtown, including Chinatown, the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, Metro Center, K Street and more. The collection, which also celebrates the city’s history, features more than 100 contemporary poems written between 1950 and the present. On display is Downtown’s unique sense of place and moods, from celebratory to angry to fiercely political. Contributors include two-time US Poet Laureate Reed Whittemore; senator and five-time presidential candidate Eugene J. McCarthy; National Slam Poetry champions and pioneers of experimental genres. The anthology is available in bookstores and online at www.planbpress.com.
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| GREEN GAINS |
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Free Money
Looking to fund a green roof for a commercial or residential building? The District Department of the Environment (DDOE) has a deal for you. A green roof rebate for targeted large retrofits is available thanks to a program supported with federal stimulus funds. The project provides a maximum of $7 per square feet to retrofit a roof that is 4,000 SF or more. To begin the application process, first register your planned projects with the Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS), which administers the funds for DDOT. Once all the qualifying documents are filed, you will receive an initial 10% rebate. If the project is completed within six months and all requirements have been met, you will be paid the final 90% rebate. Sounds like a good deal. For more information, contact AWS at 301.699.6204.
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| TRANSPORTATION TALK |
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A street car in a Czechoslovakian ship yard being prepared for a voyage to DC
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Streetcar Zealots
Got a thing for streetcars? Then you’ll love the new DC Streetcar Ning website, where you can actively participate in DC streetcar discussions by sharing images, videos, blogs and presentations related to city efforts to develop a streetcar system. The Ning is a social networking website that doesn’t require users to create an account to view content, although they must create an account to add content. The DC Surface Transit, Inc. (DCST), a nonprofit that includes the Downtown BID and its organizational partners—the Golden Triangle, Georgetown and Capitol Hill BIDs, the National Capital Planning Commission (401 9th Street), the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority (600 6th Street) and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT)—recently launched the website, accessible at www.dcstreetcar.ning.com.
Temporary Setback
Although the US Department of Transportation did not select the District Department of Transportation’s (DDOT) proposal for federal stimulus funding to redesign and reconstruct K Street, the Downtown BID is working to ensure the project goes forward.
"The hard work done by the DDOT, property owners and the general public to develop a new K Street plan last summer and fall is a valuable investment we've already made," said Richard H. Bradley, executive director of the Downtown BID. Because stakeholder buy-in for K Street’s future is generally unanimous, he is optimistic that supporters will find a way to fund the project. This will drive new development projects in Downtown, the Center City and some commercial corridors in primarily residential areas throughout the city.
The DDOT applied for competitive transportation stimulus funds last fall. Earlier this year, it announced the city’s preferred design alternative—a continuous two-lane center transit way with loading zones, enhanced sidewalks and streetscapes running the length of the entire corridor. The plan, which also preserves a flexible curb lane to meet the commercial and retail demands of this iconic street, promotes more efficient surface transit operations and creates better experiences in the public realm for pedestrians.
Who’s On Board
The popular DC Circulator bus service and the proposed DC streetcar system could both fall under a new DC Transit Board. City Council Member Jim Graham (Ward 1) has introduced the “DC Transit Board Establishment Act of 2009,” which would create a seven-member surface transit board charged with setting routes and fare policies on transportation options. The bill comes at a critical time when Circulator demand has heated up. Service now extends to five routes linking Downtown cultural, entertainment and business destinations to DC neighborhoods. Some proponents want to expand the service even more, including into Anacostia and Rosslyn, Virginia. A collaborative that included the Downtown and other BIDs, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), established the Circulator in 2005.
In addition, DC is in the process of rebuilding a robust streetcar network. The DDOT is laying tracks on two streetcar lines, along South Capitol Street in Anacostia and H Street NE near Capitol Hill. If all goes well, the city expects to have a network with 37 miles of streetcar tracks, with eight lines in all. So far, a hearing on the legislation has not been scheduled.
Long Overdue
The escalators in the Union Station parking garage soon will be replaced. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation are working on the escalators, which provide access to all parking garage levels, including the bus parking deck serving two DC Circulator bus routes, three intercity bus operators and several charter buses. In addition, the Long Bridge, located east of I-395 and south of East Potomac Park, will be rebuilt. The more than 100-year-old bridge carries freight, Amtrak and VRE commuter trains across the Potomac and is important to Downtown’s vitality and continued economic development. Both projects have received federal stimulus money. The $7.2 million award is part of an $8 billion high-speed and intercity passenger rail package for Northeast Corridor states and others.
 Creating Access
DC is one of a growing number of US municipalities tapping into Federal Transit Administration funds to jump-start accessible taxi services. A fleet of 20 Toyota Sienna minivans retrofitted for wheelchair use is now in service here. The city joins New York, Chicago and Los Angeles in providing wheelchairs for a limited number of accessible taxis. The federal funds, “New Freedom” grants, provide incentives to taxi companies to run accessible cab services, for which start-up costs are high and profit potential is unproven. The grants boost transportation services above what’s required by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Liberty Transportation Management, LLC and Yellow Paratransit, LLC have each received $100,000 and 10 minivans as part of a $1.2 million pilot program, paid for with $1 million in federal funds and $200,000 in city contributions.
Keeping Up with the Times
More techy news in the DC Circulator world. The city has added the popular bus service to Google Transit, a site where visitors can plan public transportation trips. DC now joins more than 440 jurisdictions and public transit authorities nationwide with a presence on the Google site. Last year, the city rolled out “Where’s My Bus?,” a mobile technology application for the Circulator that provides real-time bus information using GPS data and Apple’s iPhone. The application costs 99-cents to download. A free version of “Where’s My Bus?” for all web-enabled mobile devices is available at http://circulator.dc.gov. Additional information and a link to the “Where’s My Bus?” application are also available at www.dccirculator.com.
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| NEWS YOU CAN USE |
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 In the Bag
Information on the District Department of the Environment’s (DDOE) proposed regulations for the city’s bag law is only a click away. The guidelines, which affect retail carryout bags, are available at www.ddoe.dc.gov or in the DC Register, where they were published on February 5. The suggested rules explain how DDOE will implement and enforce the Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Act of 2009. Public comments on the proposals will be accepted through March 6 by visiting www.dcregs.org. For more information about the clean up law, visit http://green.dc.gov/bags.
Census Countdown
The 2010 Census questionnaire is arriving via mail from the US government this month. The population tally influences retail decisions, housing development and much more in Downtown and citywide. Since 2000, about 28,000 people have moved to DC. Last year, the city’s population grew by an estimated 9,600 residents to nearly 600,000—the largest annual gain since World War II, according to US Census Bureau annual estimates. Downtown’s residential population has grown by more than 3,400 in the last 10 years. The increased population figures, and the demographics they represent, help attract retail, as well as develop new housing initiatives, so an accurate count is critical.
Downtown’s population growth has reached a plateau, but CityCenterDC, the mixed-use development bounded by New York Avenue and 9th Street and H and 11th Streets, will bring nearly 1,000 new residents into the heart of the Downtown BID area once it is built in 2013. Strong residential growth in nearby neighborhoods such as Mount Vernon Triangle will present a compelling reason for more retailers to locate in the Downtown BID area, creating a critical mass of shopper’s goods retail, the one sector of the Downtown economy that has yet to achieve regional success.
The Census population count, taken every 10 years, also determines local and state governments' distribution of nearly $450 billion in federal aid. Nearly $2.5 billion potentially could fill DC’s coffers to help pay for everything from roads and public safety to housing and community development. So stand up and be counted: Complete the 2010 Census questionnaire and mail it back by April 1. Your community and the city will be glad you did.
Historical Perspective
Know of a DC landmark project with exceptional design work in restoration, rehabilitation or new construction? What about an innovative educational program or curriculum that focuses on preservation and history? The DC Historic Preservation Office wants to hear from you. The agency is accepting nominations for the 8th Annual District of Columbia Awards for Excellence in Historic Preservation through April 30. It will honor significant contributions by individuals, organizations and businesses promoting historic preservation in six categories: archaeology; advocacy and community involvement; design and construction; education; stewardship; and lifetime achievement. For more information, visit http://planning.dc.gov/hp or e-mail Bruce Yarnall at bruce.yarnall@dc.gov.
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| MEETINGS AND MORE |
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Wednesday, March 10, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
National Capital Planning Commission
Monument Wars
Smithsonian American Art Museum 8th & F Streets
Discover the story, spanning more than 200 years of American history, of how the capital city’s public monuments and monumental landscape have been politicized, fought over and ultimately transformed at this National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) event. University of Pittsburgh associate professor Kirk Savage will discuss his critically acclaimed book, Monument Wards: Washington, DC, the National Mall and the Transformation of the Memorial Landscape. NCPC staff also will present an overview of “Washington as Commemoration,” a new study conducted with the National Park Service that surveys themes represented in the capital's commemorative works. This free meeting is co-sponsored by the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM). RSVPs are appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome. To register, e-mail SpeakerSeries@ncpc.gov or call 202.482.7200. For more information, visit www.ncpc.gov.
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Thursday, March 11, 9:00 am – 10:30 am
Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington
Navigating the LEED Process
1050 17th Street
This Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington (AOBA) meeting is designed for commercial members and associates who work directly with the LEED process. The focus will be on helping management, owners and green teams work to achieve a fiscally sound and highly sustainable building. Evan Tyroler with Cassidy Turley and Danielle Jones and Jennifer Laforest with Akridge will lead the discussions. The free meeting is for AOBA members only. To RSVP, visit www.aoba-metro.org or e-mail Pascha Francis at pfrancis@aoba-metro.org.
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Tuesday, March 23, 8:30 am – 10:00 am
DC Chamber of Commerce
Small Business CEO Roundtable
1213 K Street
Join the DC Chamber of Commerce for a high-caliber, peer-to-peer learning session exclusively for chief executive officers of businesses with 50 or fewer employees. Gain insights and ideas from visionary business leaders who are experts in their specific field. And don’t forget to bring your candid questions and best resources to this event, which is open only to DC Chamber members. The cost is $30. For more information, visit www.dcchamber.org.
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Wednesday, March 24, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Downtown Neighborhood Association
Bi-Monthly Meeting
Calvary Baptist Church
755 8th Street
Both residents and workers are welcome at this Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) meeting. This month’s meeting will honor deceased DNA board member and president Miles Groves for his dedication and selfless service to the neighborhood. In addition, officers from the 101 W Police Service Area (PSA) will provide safety updates. To RSVP, e-mail mmoldenhauer@washlaw.com. For more information, visit www.dcdna.org.
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Thursday, March 25, 8:00 am – 12:30 pm
Apartment and Office Buildings Association of Metropolitan Washington
HVAC Seminar: The Basics
1350 I Street
This is the first of the Apartment and Office Buildings Association of Metropolitan Washington’s (AOBA) two-part seminar on HVAC operations for commercial properties. David Avedesian, a licensed professional engineer, teaches the seminar, which costs $75 for members and $95 for nonmembers. For more details, including the discount applied to registering for both seminars, visit www.aoba-metro.org.
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Thursday, March 25, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Casey Trees
Tree Summit
777 North Capitol St., NE
Casey Trees invites a multi-disciplinary group of researchers and professionals from federal, regional and local government and other communities involved in setting and implementing tree canopy goals to this day long conference. Stakeholders from community and grassroots organization also are invited to the Summit, which is hosted by the Metropolitan Washington Council on Governments. The focus will be on DC’s existing Urban Tree Canopy and potential strategies to increase it from 35% to 40%. Space is limited; advance registration is required. The cost is $40 per person and includes lunch. For more information, visit www.caseytrees.org.
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