The Leadership Paper will be the seventh in an occasional series of working papers to foster dialogue about critical issues relating to Downtown’s economic, social and physical environment. The publication will be available for downloading at www.downtowndc.org/reports/leadership.

Art Spree
The Washington Examiner’s ARTS ON FOOT sponsored by Wines of Argentina, which kicks off the fall arts and cultural season in Downtown, continues to grow. Since the Downtown BID became a full partner with the Pennsylvania Quarter Neighborhood Association (912 F Street) in 2005 to work to expand the festival, the outdoor event has increased from one day to two.

This year, the festival will run one more glorious day, to three days. It will feature a three-day Art Market—in 2008 the Art Market was open two days and in prior years one day. More artists will now have the opportunity to participate and sell their original works. The Art Market will be open on Thursday, September 10 and Friday, September 11 with extended hours from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm—two more than last year. It’s also a key element of the full festival on Saturday, September 12 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

This free arts showcase will span four city blocks and be centered at 7th and F Streets in front of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. The event is DC’s premier outdoor cultural festival, replete with restaurant sampling courts; a chef demonstration pavilion; a wine tasting and seminar area; music and performance stages; and a cultural corridor with hands-on activities from galleries, theaters and museums.

For more information, including volunteer opportunities and where to find the official program, visit www.artsonfoot.org.

BIDs in the Big Apple
Downtown BID executives are called on occasionally to visit other cities across the country to share ideas, experiences and insights. In July, Richard H. Bradley, the Downtown BID’s executive director, was a keynote speaker at the New York City Business Improvement Districts Association Conference in New York.

Before nearly 200 New York BID directors, board members and staff from five boroughs, Bradley spoke about the Downtown BID’s operating principles and the scale of what it does daily to keep Downtown streets clean, safe and friendly and to assist workers, residents and visitors with a variety of needs. New York City has 64 BIDs that were created over 30 years. Eleven more are being developed. The BIDs provide supplementary services to more than 3,200 blocks and employ nearly 530 sanitation workers. In 2008 alone, they invested collectively more than $98 million dollars in improvements and generated more than $100 million in revenue.

Bradley also told how Downtown’s remarkable transformation is linked inextricably to the Downtown BID’s ability to forge critical partnerships, act as a catalyst, provide bold leadership in everything it does and re-position the Downtown brand to deliver a remarkable urban experience. An analysis of the BID’s role described the Downtown's evolution from clean, safe and friendly to vibrant, inviting and smart.

Frank Russo, deputy executive director of Programs and Services, also spoke at the conference and explained in more minute detail the Safety, Hospitality and Maintenance (SAM) Program’s progression since 1997. More than 100 employees carry out the BID’s results-based operation–everything is measured, from the number of daily trash collections to the number of citizen assists. Only five or six other BIDs in the country have similar resources.

Robert Walsh, New York’s commissioner of Small Business Services, later wrote to Bradley to say that his "talk was engaging and exciting, and numerous attendees told me how impressed they were by it. Your experience and insights regarding district development were invaluable, and truly took the conference to a higher level."

We Are Family
In 2005, the city’s seven BIDs and its only community improvement district (CID) established the DC BID Council to discuss common plans, concerns and strategies. In July, the group officially filed articles of incorporation to become a non-profit entity. Urban Planner Anne-Marie Bairstow coordinates the Council’s work, which is designed to strengthen DC’s BIDs by sharing information, conducting research, comparing best practices and communicating about what BIDs do and the impact they have on neighborhoods, the city and the region.

The Council has identified top priorities centered on public space, safety and security, planning and development and transportation. It already has begun to work on vending and publisher box improvements; partnered with the National Park Service (NPS) and the city to improve parks; shared information about homelessness; executed the Center City Action Agenda; and helped guide the K Street corridor's future. A newsletter, DC BIDs, first published in April.

The Downtown BID, Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill, Capitol Riverfront, Georgetown, Golden Triangle, NoMa and the Mount Vernon Triangle CID constitute the city’s existing BIDs. Plans are underway to create a BID in Anacostia as well.

Outta Sight, Outta Mind
Every so often, the Downtown BID, in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police Department, issues a friendly reminder to drivers: when you leave your car, leave it empty to lock out thieves. Car break-ins are a frequent crime in the Downtown BID. The BID’s "Outta Sight" anti-theft campaign cautions drivers about leaving valuables–from clothes and sunglasses to CDs and spare change–in plain sight. As part of the campaign, SAMs distribute safety information cards to tenants at Downtown BID monthly building lobby fairs and also place them on cars in areas that have seen a recent rash of car break-ins.

Prudent Actions
Mayor Adrian Fenty and the DC Council took budgetary and regulatory actions in July and August that will lower some taxes and fees for the development community and avoid additional government regulation. What happened: they balanced the budget for fiscal years 2009 and 2010 without using the city’s rainy day fund or enacting major tax rate increases. Instead, the Council made deeper and broader cuts in DC government expenditures, created about a $50 million, or 1%, contingency fund to handle any future general fund revenue decreases and approved relatively small sales tax rate increases for general merchandise, gasoline and cigarettes–but they reduced the vacant property tax rate on empty buildings and unimproved land. The vacant, or Class 3, property tax rate was pushed back from 10% to 5% per $100 of assessed value, a move that will prove beneficial to property owners who are unable to begin new construction projects on recently vacated sites in the current recession.
 
In addition, a proposal granting the DC government the ability to appeal Board of Real Property Assessments and Appeals decisions to the DC Superior Court was dropped.  Had it been approved, the proposal would have allowed the DC government to appeal a decision of its own independent agency and increase property owners’ appeal costs, resulting in a de facto real property tax rate increase.

Lastly, the new charges for using public space during construction were suspended. The new Public Space Occupancy Fair Market Component Fees have been suspended for at least 60 days, or until approximately October 1. For additional information, contact the District Department of Transportation’s (DDOT) Public Space Permit Office at 202.535.2982.

The suspended public space fair market component fee schedule was as follows:

Sidewalk space:               Parking lane space: Travel lane number one:    Travel lane number two:        Alley:

Central Business District $0.04 per linear foot per day $0.04 per linear foot per day  $0.04 per linear foot per day $0.08 per linear foot per day $0.02 per linear foot per day

Other Than CBD $0.02 per LFPD  $0.02 per LFPD $0.03 per LFPD $0.06 per LFPD $0.015 per LFPD

The District of Columbia Building Industry Association (DCBIA) was instrumental in educating and communicating with the real estate development community and the DC government to bring about these regulatory changes and the change to the vacant property tax rate.  
 
Luxurious Neighborhood Living
No one should be surprised that Downtown now has a sleek, new, super-luxury apartment building, the Ashton Judiciary Square (750 3rd Street), which is now leasing furnished and unfurnished one, two–and three-bedroom units in the former Best Western Hotel space. It was bound to happen–the number of people living in Downtown has soared by about 4,380 since 2000.
 
The Texas-based Hanover Company developed the Ashton, which has 49 spacious units, ranging from 1,200 square feet (SF) to 2,700 SF. The rent? Prices range from $4,332 to $10,817 per month. The units have high ceilings, open-concept gourmet kitchens with large islands; and over-sized walk-in closets. Among the building amenities: a dedicated concierge; a plush private clubhouse with Wi-Fi; an intimate fireplace and HDTV lounge; and 41 underground parking spaces. And this is just the short list. For more information, visit www.ashtonjs.com.


New Digs
The new Akridge (601 13th Street) building at 700 6th Street has its first tenant, Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft, the international law firm with more than 500 attorneys, including more than 80 lawyers and 100 additional personnel in DC. The firm, which advises clients on capital markets, corporate, financial restructuring, white collar and regulatory and tax matters, moved from 1201 F Street in July. It occupies 85,000 SF over four floors in the 12-story, 300,000 SF building, which has received platinum certification under the US Green Building Council’s program for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The building also has the largest green roof on a private sector property located in DC. Akridge says it actively is negotiating a lease with a Fortune 500 company and has many other lease proposals under review by prospective clients.

Leading the Pack
Kudos to The Warner (1299 Pennsylvania Avenue), which recently became one of five local winners of this year’s The Office Building of the Year (TOBY) award, the real estate industry’s most prestigious awards program. The Warner, home to the Warner Theatre, Au Bon Pain, Bluepoint restaurant and others, won in the 500,000 to 1 million SF Building Category. Vornado Realty Trust of New York owns the Class A office space which has 560,000 SF.

The Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington held the competition that recognized The Warner.  The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International, located at 1101 15th Street, established the TOBYs to reward quality and excellence in office building management, operational efficiency and community impact. Each year, local winners have the opportunity to advance to the regional and international competitions, which take place every summer at BOMA’s annual conference.

Making Progress
Say hello to the new Chinatown. The DC Council is expected to hold hearings this fall on the new Chinatown Cultural Development Strategy, which will most likely receive approval as a Small Area Plan. The process to develop a comprehensive strategy to reposition Chinatown as the region’s top destination for Chinese-Asian cultural businesses, programs, services, events and festivals got off to a quick start in the summer of 2008 and, after a series of community and stakeholder meetings, the DC Office of Planning (OP) and the Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs completed the final recommendations this summer. For a copy of the plan, visit http://planning.dc.gov/planning/cwp/view,a,1285,q,647223.asp.  

Extended Fare
Co Co. Sala (929 F Street), the trendy new lounge and restaurant with the chocolate-infused menu, is now open weekday afternoons, adding to its morning and evening indulgences. Among the lunchtime offerings are four types of fresh salads, "lunch savories" that include a mac and cheese tart with salad and proscuitto and grilled melon crostada and, of course, a chocolaty pastry and dessert collection. Lunch is served Monday through Friday from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm. Visit www.cocosala.com for more information or call 202.347.4265.

Nutritious Fare
Keep an eye out for a yogurt shop scheduled to open at the Douglas Development (702 H Street) property located at 1006 F Street. No word yet on the name or the owners–just that they’re two local partners. We’ll see. The site was vacated when the Downtown SAMs moved in May to their new headquarters at 1229 New York Avenue.

Leisurely Pursuits
With growing numbers of families moving to Downtown, a recent Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) meeting zeroed in on parks–in particular, the lack of parks with programming for families and others to enjoy. "We want amenities to keep families here, not just singles and empty nesters," said Miles Groves, a DNA board member. A panel of representatives from the Downtown BID, the DC Office of Planning (OP), the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), DC Parks and Recreation and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) was present to answer residents’ inquiries and share information about current and future park projects.

Among the highlights:

•	The city is open to exploring a public-private partnership.
•	OP kicked off a design project for the Mt. Vernon Square and Convention Center districts in May to examine a number of issues, including parks and potential open space. A major public meeting on the design will be held at the Carnegie Library building (801 K Street) on October 1. For more information, visit www.planning.dc.gov.
•	CapitalSpace, an initiative between NCPC, the National Park Service (NPS) and the DC government, is examining federal and local parks and open space issues in Downtown and other parts of the city. NCPC tentatively is scheduled to release CapitalSpace draft recommendations on parks at its October 1 meeting for a 60-day public comment period. More information is available at www.capitalspace.gov.
•	The Downtown BID has collected data on the 34 NPS parks and reservations that compose 22 acres in the area and is working to improve Chinatown Park (Reservation 72) and Indiana Plaza under a general partnership agreement with NPS.

"All the major studies, from the National Mall Plan to the Capitol Framework Plan and the Center City Action Agenda, call for park improvements," said Rick Reinhard, deputy executive director of Planning and Development for the Downtown BID. "But there are barriers–money; the fact that NPS focuses on the Mall, not Downtown; and regulations that are more appropriate for Yellowstone Park than urban areas."

He said preliminary estimates show that between $15 million to $20 million will be needed for capital improvements and another $1.5 million to $2 million for enhanced maintenance and programming at the NPS parks.

Reinhard suggested it might be beneficial to find a good pilot spot that families can use. He named a few interesting possibilities: Mt. Vernon Square, NPS-owned but city-controlled administratively; the 3rd and H Streets park mentioned in the City Center Action Agenda; or an elementary school playground.

Park Warden
Say hello to DC resident John Piltzecker, the new superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, among the nation’s most visited national landmarks. The 25-year National Park Service (NPS) veteran and former seasonal park ranger is responsible for managing day-to-day operations for the Washington Monument, Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, East Potomac Park and Hains Point, as well as several Downtown parks, including McPherson and Franklin Squares.

Piltzecker served previously as NPS’ s acting chief of staff and as program manager for the Office of Partnerships and Philanthropic Stewardship. He was the first superintendent of the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park in Massachusetts, an acting deputy superintendent at Fire Island National Seashore in New York and a field employee at various sites around the country.

Piltzecker fills the position vacated last October by Peggy O’Dell, now regional director of the National Capital Region (NCR).

Turn Out the Lights 
The DC Chamber of Commerce (1213 K Street) has closed its Visitor Information Center at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (1300 Pennsylvania Avenue). The Center, located two blocks from the National Mall and one block from the White House Visitor Center (1450 Pennsylvania Avenue), fielded visitors’ questions; provided free maps, city guides and restaurant and hotel information; and offered four interactive touch screen kiosks and a short film on the city’s sights and sounds.

The Chamber’s lease at the building expired last month. It is looking to rent between 2,000 to 3,000 SF of retail space in a high-tourist area. Until new space is found, tourists will be able to visit the Chamber’s concierge desk at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (801 Mount Vernon Place) or the K Street office and call 1-866-DC-IS-FUN with inquiries.

Models of Excellence
Four of six recipients of the DC Chamber of Commerce’s (1213 K Street) 2009 Chamber Choice Awards are located in the Downtown BID. The honors will go to the Willard InterContinental Hotel (1401 Pennsylvania Avenue) for 2009 Business of the Year; Dr. Dorothy Height, chair of the National Council of Negro Women (633 Pennsylvania Avenue) for the 2009 Chair’s Award; and two DC sports teams, the Washington Capitals and the Washington Mystics, both located in the Verizon Center (601 F Street), for the Economic Impact and the Emerging Business of the Year Awards, respectively. The recipients, who have exhibited extraordinary standards of professional excellence, vision and dedication in the DC community, will be saluted at a gala next month. For more information, visit www.dcchamber.org. 
 
Top Gun Counselors
Congratulations to the 17 Downtown law firms and 28 attorneys who were named finalists in the Washington Business Journal’s Top Washington Lawyers awards. The competition recognizes top tier lawyers in the metropolitan Washington area who practice law and provide legal counsel.

The following 17 law firms represent BID area finalists:

Arnold & Porter LLP (555 12th Street)

Caplin & Drysdale Chtd. (One Thomas Circle)

Cooley Godward Kronish LLP (777 6th Street)

Covington & Burling LLP  (1201 Pennsylvania Avenue)

Crowell & Moring LLP  (1001 Pennsylvania Avenue)

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP  (555 13th Street)

DLA Piper  (500 8th Street)

Jones Day (51 Louisiana Avenue)

Kirkland & Ellis LLP (655 15th Street)

Latham & Watkins LLP  (555 11th Street)

Miller & Chevalier Chtd.  (655 15th Street)

Reed Smith LLP (1301 K Street)

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP (1300 I Street)

Sidley Austin LLP (1501 K Street)

Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP  (1301 K Street)

Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP (1275 Pennsylvania Avenue)

Vinson & Elkins LLP  (1445 Pennsylvania Avenue)

For more information or a complete list of finalists visit:     http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/event/5791

Green Roof Benefits
Thinking of installing a green roof? You’re not alone, especially as more government incentives and fees cause property owners to consider forsaking conventional roofing. The District Department of the Environment (DDOE) extended its green roof subsidy program this year, increasing funding from $3 per SF to $5 per SF and hiking the cap from $12,000 to $20,000. In addition, the roofs help to offset the DC Water and Sewer Authority’s (WASA) impervious surface area fee, imposed on all DC property owners this year based on the square footage of paved driveways, patios, rooftops and parking lots that water cannot penetrate easily, thus causing stormwater runoff into local waterways, including the Anacostia and Rock Creek.

Green, or vegetated, roofs help to control stormwater. Not only do they keep pollutants such as oil, grease, lawn fertilizers and bacteria from pet waste from making their way to local waterways, but they also filter air pollutants from rainwater and save energy in buildings. As a result, private, non-profit and government entities in the Downtown BID all have installed green roofs. They include Akridge’s (601 13th Street) commercial property at 700 6th Street, which has the largest green roof on a private sector property in DC; the Blake Real Estate building at 1425 K Street, the first green roof in the city; the American Society of Landscape Architects headquarters (636 I Street); and the US Tax Court (400 2nd Street).

Whether economic, environmental or social benefits, or all three, motivate you, here are a few green roof facts to get you going:

•	DDOE offers a Green Roof Toolkit that provides practical information to assist with designing and installing green roofs and lists technical data, reports and other resources, including a list of preferred green roof plants, on its website, www.ddoe.dc.gov.
•	DC Greenworks, a non-profit social enterprise, administers DDOE’s Green Roof Subsidy Program and arranges tours of green roofs in DC. For more information, visit www.dcgreenworks.org.
•	All green roof projects require a building permit, which can be obtained through the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA). More information is available at www.dcra.dc.gov.

To date, DDOE has compiled a list of about 75 green roofs in DC, each more than 1,000 SF, with total coverage of about 350,000 SF. A recent Green Roofs for Healthy Cities survey shows that DC ranks No. 2 behind Chicago for the most square feet of green roofs in 2008. DC has 501,042 SF, Chicago has 534,507 SF and New York City, which places third, has 358,986 SF. The survey of the association’s corporate members also shows that the number of green roofs in the US increased 35% in 2008, to more than 3.1 million SF from 2.4 million SF last year. For more information, visit www.greenroofs.org.

New Way on K
K Street finally may be redesigned and reconstructed after six years of discussion and debate. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has moved quickly to include a K Street redesign as part of a larger regional application for competitive transportation stimulus funds known as TIGER grants. Faced with a looming September 15 application deadline, the agency took steps to develop design alternatives this summer and now has two from which to choose.
 
Both plans, which use the traffic analysis from an earlier design, include a center transit way and loading zones. Metered curbside parking for private vehicles are not included. The two most significant differences between the designs are bicycle accommodations and a third passing lane within the transit way on very wide sections of the street. 
 
An updated K Street design has been a priority for the Downtown and Golden Triangle BIDs since 2003. Stakeholders from the organizations actively are reviewing and offering comments on the new designs. Meanwhile, DDOT plans to take the preferred alternative to 30% design by February 2010, when the US Department of Transportation will announce the TIGER grant program winners.
 
If denied, a 30% design still could prove beneficial–other federal funds, including those from the transportation reauthorization bill, could be forthcoming. In addition to the design, the TIGER application also will include a regional bike-sharing program and corridor improvements that bring bus rapid transit service to K Street from I-66 in northern Virginia.

Both DDOT plans are available at http://ddot.dc.gov/ddot/cwp/view,a,1250,q,643345,ddotNav_GID,1774,ddotNav,|34644|.asp. To review previous plans, visit www.downtowndc.org/programs/transportation/k-street. 

Keep it Movin'
The District Department of Transportation’s (DDOT) handy traffic control officers seen on busy Downtown and DC streets during rush hour now are authorized to dole out tickets. So beware. Don’t park in a bus, no standing or loading zone; block crosswalks or bike lanes; use your cell phone illegally; sport expired tags and inspection stickers; double park or park in a designated entrance. Other parking infractions and minor moving violations that could tax your purse strings abound. A copy of the legislation allowing the officers, who play a critical role in keeping traffic moving safely and efficiently, to issue citations for traffic violations is available at www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/dcofficialcode.

Hold that Space!
Have a business that uses public space to provide valet parking services for customers? Take note. New regulations now require you to obtain a public space permit, hire a licensed valet company, park vehicles in a private facility and obey all relevant traffic regulations. The rules, according to the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), allay concerns about traffic safety and parking availability. Thus, a business "must apply to comply" and can visit www.ddot.dc.gov to complete an application and submit a signed paper copy. Once DDOT issues a permit, it will post signs listing the days and hours that the curbside space is reserved as a valet staging area. For more information, including assistance with completing the application process, contact the DDOT Policy Branch at 202.671.2333.

Stimulating Circumstances
DC has wasted no time putting much-needed federal stimulus dollars to work on transportation related projects. A recent US Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, States’ and Localities’ Current and Planned Uses of Funds While Facing Fiscal Stresses, shows DC has obligated 95%, or $82.6 million, of state transportation funds within 120 days of those funds being granted. As a result, DC ranks No. 1 when compared with 16 other states the GAO reviewed. The Recovery Act requires each state to obligate a certain percentage of state highway funds within 120 days. DC was required to obligate 50% of $86 million by June 30. DC exceeded that goal on April 22 and is using the funds to move forward significant infrastructure and economic enhancement projects, including reconstructing and resurfacing street and interstate roads, rehabilitating bridges and installing and repairing sidewalks and roadways and expanding the city’s bike-sharing program.

Trains to Everywhere
The seven Metrorail stations within the Downtown BID continued to attain high ridership averages in the first half of 2009 as more people made their way Downtown to work and visit retail establishments, restaurants and cultural and entertainment venues.  On the average weekday, the seven stations combined had 112,822 riders, compared with 107,000 during the same period in 2008–a 5% increase. During the same period, the weekend average rose 14%–from 41,000 to 46,789.  Furthermore, both weekday and weekend averages climbed 5% and 11%, respectively, from 2007 to 2008. The seven Downtown Metrorail stations are Metro Center, Gallery Place, McPherson Square, Judiciary Square, Federal Triangle, Archives/Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter and Mt. Vernon Square.

No Free Ride
Say goodbye to the $19 cap now on taxicab rides in DC. Beginning October 1, the maximum fare will be lifted, which means if you’ve been fortunate to ride to your destination at no additional cost after the meter has stopped, your luck has run out. The DC City Council unanimously removed the ceiling as part of the fiscal year 2010 budget plan. The restriction, which some considered "artificial, arbitrary and unfair," is a hold over from the old zone fare system, which was replaced with time and distance meters in June 2008. Expect to see more smiling cab drivers next month–and more revenue, over the long term, in DC’s coffers.

Filling a Void
Looking for vacant retail space? What about creative space for an art studio or interior design firm? The Washington, DC Economic Partnership (1495 F Street), is expanding its database of 265 vacant and soon-to-be-available sites in DC and introducing what will be the city’s first comprehensive site location survey to help businesses locate available retail space in the city. Using cameras with built-in Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to photograph and record information on occupied and vacant mixed-use, retail and commercial storefronts, the organization has combed commercial corridors such as Minnesota, Georgia and Wisconsin Avenues and South Capitol and Kennedy Streets–areas not currently covered by an existing neighborhood business improvement district (BID) or community improvement district (CID). Look for the additional information to be posted at www.wdcep.com by the end of this month.

Creatively Organized
The DC Office of Planning (OP), the Washington, DC Economic Partnership (1495 F Street), and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities have been working for more than a year to find ways to support creative employment and business opportunities and promote revitalizing and enlivening underserved areas through the arts and creative uses. OP recently shared recommendations for the Creative DC Action Agenda, a strategy to strengthen DC’s creative economy–a sector that includes media and communications; culinary, performing, visual and building arts; and museums and heritage–at a recent Penn Quarter Neighborhood Association (912 F Street) monthly meeting.

DC’s creative industries generate more than $5 billion in income a year and account for more than 10% of the city’s employment base, or 75,000 direct jobs. To begin executing the Creative DC Action Agenda, as well as the Green Collar Jobs Initiative and the Retail Action Strategy, a forum where public, private and non-profit stakeholders can help advance the city’s creative, green and retail sectors, will be held this fall. For more information or to receive an invitation to the event, or both, contact Sakina Khan at sakina.khan@dc.gov.

Wednesday, September 2, 10:00 am - Noon
District Department of Transportation
Freight Stakeholder Meeting
Reeves Center - 6th Floor
2000 14th Street

The District Department of Transportation will host this meeting to discuss the many ongoing initiatives regarding motor carrier operations in the city. The focus will be on delivery issues, parking, enforcement, truck routes and future policy considerations. Input from the business community is welcome and will be instrumental in developing any future policies. To RSVP, e-mail eulois.cleckley@dc.gov, or call 202.671.0682.

Tuesday, September 8, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Downtown Neighborhood Association
Monthly Meeting
Calvary Baptist Church
755 8th Street

This month’s Downtown Neighborhood Association meeting will feature a discussion with Metropolitan Police Department Chief Cathy L. Lanier. Both residents and workers are invited. To RSVP, contact miles@dcdna.org. For more information, visit www.dcdna.org.

Thursday, September 10, 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Greater Washington Board of Trade
Morning Star Speaker Series
Capital Hilton
1001 16th Street

Don’t miss legendary real estate mogul Sam Zell at this breakfast event sponsored by the Greater Washington Board of Trade. Zell will share his experiences in the real estate market and his role as the co-founder and chairman of Equity Group Investments and owner of the Chicago Tribune, LA Times and Chicago Cubs. Members pay $75; nonmembers pay $100. For more information, visit www.bot.org.

Tuesday, September 15, 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
ULI Washington
Urban Marketplace Conference & Expo
Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue

Join ULI Washington for the third annual Urban Marketplace, a forum for the private, public and nonprofit sectors to learn about redevelopment opportunities and best practices in the metropolitan Washington  region. Keynote speakers include Ronald C. Sims, deputy secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development; Jonathan F.P. Rose, president of Jonathan Rose Companies; and James Chung, president of Reach Advisors. Both members and non-members pay $225 (private sector); $150 (Young Leaders); and $50 (public sector, nonprofits and students). For more information and to register, visit www.washington.uli.org.

Wednesday, September 30, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm
Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington
2009 Green Conference: Taking Sustainability to the Next Level
Capital Hilton
1001 16th Street

Plan to attend the Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington's (AOBA) annual conference. Hear from expert speakers, attend breakout sessions for commercial and multi-family real estate executives and learn from keynote speaker Marc Gunther, senior writer for Fortune magazine and a columnist for CNNMoney.com, as he talks about "Sustainability: Lessons from America’s Leading Companies." Members pay $125; non-members pay $175. For more information and to register, visit www.aoba-metro.org.