Wednesday, June 6, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm DC Chamber of Commerce and the Washington Business Journal 2007 Business Summit Renaissance Washington DC Hotel 999 9th Street
Prepare to enter the global marketplace at the 2007 Business Summit. Join Anthony Lewis, president of Verizon Washington, DC, and DC Chamber of Commerce chair for this “State of the Business Report.” Exchange ideas and explore new business partnerships with breakfast speaker Sheila Johnson Newman, co-founder, BET, president/owner, Washington Mystics and CEO, Salamander Inn; luncheon moderator Alex Orfinger, publisher, Washington Business Journal; and others. The cost is $125 for members (includes breakfast, workshop and luncheon) and $200 for non-members. For the luncheon only, the cost is $75 for members and $125 for non-members. Pre-register online at www.dcchamber.org.
Monday, June 11, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington Arts & Economic Prosperity III: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Culture Organizations and Their Audiences in Greater Washington Canadian Embassy 501 Pennsylvania Avenue
Join the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments as they release an economic impact study of spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations. This report, which details the data collected from 268 arts and culture organizations in Greater Washington, will be distributed to all attendees. To RSVP, e-mail staff@cultural-alliance.org by June 6. Name, organization, e-mail and phone number must be included. A photo ID will be necessary for entry into the Embassy.
Thursday, June 14, 8:30 am – 10:00 am Downtown Business Improvement District Parking Breakfast Discussion Downtown Business Improvement District 1250 H Street, Suite 1000
How do you increase parking availability without creating more parking spaces? Join the Downtown BID for a continental breakfast and discussion on taking a market-based approach to pricing for on-street parking. Also learn about experiences from other cities that have taken a similar approach. To RSVP, e-mail vanessa@downtowndc.org.
The Moment You’ve Waited For Don’t miss one of Downtown DC’s most anticipated events. The Downtown BID will host the 2007 Momentum Awards Luncheon on Thursday, June 21, at Noon. The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill (400 New Jersey Avenue NW). Register online at www.downtowndc.org/rsvp.
This exciting networking event will feature guest speakers Nicholas Goldsborough, managing director, Harman Center for the Arts; and Peter Prichard, president of the Newseum. Come celebrate the neighborhood’s exciting revitalization as we honor outstanding individual and organizational achievement at the Momentum Awards ceremony. This year’s awardees are:
Public Sector – District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Traffic Services Administration (TSA) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Traffic Services Administration (TSA) collaborated with the Downtown and Golden Triangle BIDs to make Downtown surface transportation more reliable for transit, commercial vehicles and motorists. Focusing on the busy K Street corridor, new curbside regulations and signage reduced the need for double parking. Multi-space parking meters helped remove clutter caused by individual meters and commercial loading zones were incorporated into the new metering system to encourage turnover in these spaces. The K Street initiative demonstrates the true value of team effort between DDOT and business improvement districts.
Private Sector – Akridge and Douglas Development The 900 block of F Street has reemerged with the help of two key developers leading the way. Carroll Square, the $65-million boutique building developed by Akridge at 975 F Street, adds 158,000 square feet of trophy-class office space, 15,000 square feet of retail, 5,000 square feet of arts space and 103 underground parking spaces to Downtown’s thriving marketplace. The Atlantic Building at 950 F Street is a 281,000-square foot, $120-million project by Douglas Development with 25,000 square feet of available retail space. These two projects are helping infuse the 900 block of F Street with new life.
Landmark Project – Thomson Elementary School From the street, Thomson Elementary School’s exterior maintains its historic character. Yet, the architectural features of the new physical improvements are evidence of the school’s $20-million renovation and 35,000-square foot addition at 1200 L Street. The DC Public School System’s investment in the renovated classrooms and facilities provide a welcoming and attractive place in which to learn and play, while delivering new spaces for enhanced educational opportunities.
Landmark Project – National Portrait Gallery/Smithsonian American Art Museum The National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum, known collectively as the Donald W. Reynolds Center, re-opened in July 2006 after a $283-million renovation. Both museums are located in the magnificently restored, 382,000-square-foot Patent Office Building (8th and F Streets). The building’s design highlights include a new courtyard and glass roof designed by Sir Norman Foster. As the cultural centerpiece of Downtown, the new Reynolds Center reconnects the eastern and western blocks of F Street.
Program – Capital Fringe Festival The inaugural Capital Fringe Festival made a lasting impression upon the Downtown arts scene in July 2006, with more than 400 performances featured throughout Downtown involving 1000 artists and ensembles in 18 venues. Created to provide an outlet for DC area fringe artists, the Festival also introduced 40 world-premiere productions with more than 100 sold-out performances. This annual event is primed to bring many more new artists and arts patrons to Downtown in the future.
Downtown Detail – Perseus Realty As part of the redevelopment of 1101 Vermont Avenue, the beautiful sound grove and light stream installation is an inviting, interactive public art space that engages and awes pedestrians, creating a sense of place within the new Midtown area.
Downtown Detail – Bobby Van’s Grill Bobby Van’s second DC location includes a raised staircase entrance, adding architectural flair and a graceful beauty to the well-trafficked corner at 12th Street and New York Avenue.
Spring Into Action With Downtown’s ongoing development surge comes daily construction and pedestrian traffic that takes a toll on trees and plants that also call Downtown home. Through partnerships developed with the DC Urban Forestry Administration and the Casey Tree Foundation, area property managers and Downtown SAMs are educated in tree preservation and participate in tree plantings throughout the neighborhood each spring.
Because trees play such a vital role in the health, beauty and sustainability of the Downtown community, SAMs can be seen watering and caring for the more than 2,500 Downtown trees weekly. Every year, as warm weather arrives in Washington, Downtown SAMs go about the business of refreshing the landscape with new flowers and hanging flower baskets as the BID continues its efforts to maintain a clean and attractive urban landscape.
Aides to the Rescue Since 2003, the Downtown BID has employed college students each summer to work as Hospitality Aides. Once again, the BID is supporting the DC Summer Youth Program by hiring eight students, ages 18-21. The students, all DC residents attending colleges along the east coast, are engaged in a one-week training program focusing on visitor service, communication skills and information on Downtown DC attractions and services. Throughout the summer, you can expect to see the Hospitality Aides staffing our mobile information carts near Metro stations and in busy pedestrian areas — welcoming visitors and helping them enjoy all that Downtown has to offer. For more information, contact Eileen Andary, director of Administration, at Eileen@downtowndc.org.
Downtown Hotels Welcome Guests Galore Downtown BID hotel performance is off to a great start in the first quarter of 2007, after a flat performance in 2006. According to Smith Travel Research, the BID’s 24 operating hotels (with 8,853 rooms) reported record results for the first quarter for all categories of performance (occupancy, average daily rate, revenue per available room and total room revenue). The $124 million of room revenues is a 13% gain over first quarter 2006. This strong performance benefits DC’s budget directly in increased hotel sales tax revenues, generating $18 million in taxes for the city ($5.5 million of which is earmarked for the Convention Center) — an increase of $2.2 million over the first quarter of last year. In addition, hotel guests spent a good deal of money in Downtown BID restaurants and stores, and visited the many Downtown cultural venues.
First Quarter
Occupancy
Average Daily Room Rate
RevPar (a)
Room Revenues (millions)
2007
73.3%
$212.82
$155.97
$124.3
2006
65.6
202.36
132.79
109.83
2005
72.2
195.10
140.79
117.3
2004
70.5
169.53
119.49
100.2
2003
67.2
157.35
105.70
85.2
2002
66.6
154.33
102.78
82.3
2001
73.1
179.18
131.02
104.9
Strong hotel financial performance also leads to higher hotel valuations for its owners. An example of the impact of higher valuations for owners and the District can be seen in the recent purchase of the Washington Hilton (though not in the Downtown BID) for $290 million (or $259,000 per room) and the new owner’s plans to invest $100 million into the hotel (or $89,000 per room). This transaction will generate a one-time tax payment to the city of $8.4 million for deed transfers and recordation taxes as well as an estimated $7.2 million per year in commercial real estate property taxes.
(a) Revenue Per Available Room may be calculated in two ways: (i) by dividing room revenue by rooms available, or (ii) by multiplying the occupancy rate by average daily room rate. Source: Smith Travel Researchs
Dine with Downtown Winners The city’s top chefs and restaurants will be announced at the 25th annual RAMMY Awards on Sunday, June 17th, at the Marriott Wardman Park. Hosted by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), Downtown finalists include: PS 7’s and Rasika for New Restaurant of the Year; Corduroy for Informal Dining Restaurant of the Year; Apolonario Flores, cook, Chef Geoff’s and Jennifer Roe, maitre d’, DC Coast for Restaurant Employee of the Year; (P.J.) Kern, Charlie Palmer Steak and Christine de Clerfay; The Oceanaire Seafood Room, for Restaurant Manager of the Year; Oya and Zaytinya for Hottest Bar Scene of the Year; and Bistro Bis, Charlie Palmer Steak, Georgia Brown’s and Oceanaire for Power Spot of the Year.
Tickets are $200 for RAMW members and $250 for non-RAMW members. For more information and a complete list of nominees, call 202.331.5990 or visit www.ramw.org. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington Education Foundation’s scholarship program.
With Downtown’s ongoing development surge comes daily construction and pedestrian traffic that takes a toll on trees and plants that also call Downtown home. Through partnerships developed with the DC Urban Forestry Administration and the Casey Tree Foundation, area property managers and Downtown SAMs are educated in tree preservation and participate in tree plantings throughout the neighborhood each spring. 
Dine with Downtown Winners
Renovating History
