The New Communities Initiative (NCI) is partnering with a host of community organizations to plan two super-sized events for September, and we hope you will join us for both of them!

On September 16th, NCI is partnering with Housing Opportunities Unlimited (HOU) to host our 2nd annual “Northwest One Homecoming.”  The event will, again, be filled with fun activities for the entire family. It will be an opportunity for neighbors living in the Northwest One area to come together, as well as an opportunity for former Temple Courts and Golden Rule residents to reconnect with the neighborhood. This year, we’re also partnering with Walker-Jones Elementary School, and this will be a back-to-school event for Walker Jones students and their families. Here’s the flyer with the details.

On September 23rd, NCI is partnering with Housing Opportunities Unlimited (HOU), Georgia Avenue Thrive, the Salvation Army, and District Bridges to host the “Park & Morton Block Party.” Morton Street will be filled with music, food, and fun for kids, seniors and everyone in between. Here’s the flyer with details.

We hope to see you out and about! In the meantime, check out our website (www.dcnewcommunities.org) to keep tabs on what we’re up to. Also, don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and you can email us at dc.newcommunities@dc.gov with ideas, questions, or concerns. Lastly, sign up here for a neighborhood-specific newsletter.

Thank you for your interest in and commitment to the New Communities Initiative.

Sincerely,

Angie Rodgers
Director, New Communities Initiative

In August, the Ward 8 Works team hosted its second participant event for the new cohort of Ward 8 residents that are looking to be employed through some of the redevelopment projects coming to Ward 8. This event was focused on team building, learning what the cohort members need to successfully attain these jobs, and discussing how the Ward 8 Works team can support the cohort. Currently, the Ward 8 Works cohort has 202 participants, connected to 15 service providers who are helping them to become "job-ready." Although many of the jobs won't be available for another six months, some 15 participants have already been hired! For more information, please email Angie Rodgers at angie.rodgers@dc.gov.

Significant progress has been made on the redevelopment of the historic Strand Theatre located at the corner of Division Ave, NE and Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave, NE. Recently, the Strand Theatre development team, composed of The Warrenton Group and The National Housing Partnership, closed on the acquisition of several adjacent parcels needed to complete the redevelopment. This milestone is significant, as this will add 86 affordable units to the neighborhood, 28 of which will be replacement public housing units for Lincoln Heights and Richardson Dwellings residents. Additionally, it ensures that we see the renovation of the historic theatre as a vibrant and needed commercial space in the neighborhood. We noted in previous newsletters that the project was approved for NCI gap financing from the DC Council in December 2016, and also submitted its Planned Unit Development (PUD) application in June to the DC Zoning Commission. A hearing is scheduled for November 16th. These are all positive steps toward making the long-awaited Strand Development a reality. Click below to view the hearing notice.