December Edition 2017 

Open for You, DC

As we close out this year, I’m excited to announce that we will start the year with you – our District residents and stakeholders – at our second annual DC Economic Development Cluster Open House on Jan. 11! Last year, I hosted our first-ever open house of this kind featuring all the agencies of the DMPED cluster in the District of Columbia. Given we hadn’t done this before, we weren’t sure what to expect. But you all came out – and in big numbers. You told us it was valuable to meet cluster leadership and staff, learn about services and get your questions answered. For this year, we are working on delivering an even better experience for you with more opportunities for engagement, interaction and learning. As I often tell my staff: “Public service is a privilege,” but we can’t do the work without your input. Please make plans to drop by and see us Jan. 11 anytime between 4-7 p.m. at the Convention Center. RSVP and view participating agencies and organizations at this link. We are also excited to announce a “topping off” celebration for the new Entertainment and Sports Arena at St. Elizabeths East in January. This transformative project in Ward 8 will bring an estimated 380,000 new visitors per year to Congress Heights and approximately $90 million in new tax revenues over 20 years. You can also join us for this event also Jan. 11 by RSVP’ing at this link. We can’t thank you enough for being engaged in our economic development work for the District of Columbia. I hope to see you at the Open House on Jan. 11!   Regards, Deputy Mayor Brian T. Kenner #DMPEDdelivers #open4youDC

Now Open! West End Library

Mayor Bowser and Deputy Mayor Kenner cut the ribbon Dec. 9 on the new West End Library at 2301 L Street, NW in Ward 2! West End Square 37, which includes the new West End Library, is a 325,000 square-foot multi-use building with ground floor retail and 164 residences. The first phase of the West End Project, West End Square 50, was completed in May 2017 and serves as the home for DC Fire and EMS Engine 1 and an all-affordable housing complex of 55 units. 

The West End Library is the 17th District library to be renovated or rebuilt as part of the system’s transformation. It is also the first library in DC to be built as a result of a public-private partnership. The new 21,000 square-foot library features:

• Community spaces for adults, teens, and children;
• Seating for 200 people;
• 40 public access computers and free Wi-Fi Internet access;
• A large programming room for up to 100 people;
• A conference room for 14 people; and
• Five quiet study rooms

Former Hine School Ribbon Cutting in Historic Eastern Market

Mayor Bowser and Deputy Mayor Kenner also cut the ribbon at the new mixed-use development at the site of the former Hine Junior High School on Dec. 12. Located adjacent to the historic Eastern Market, the new four-building development includes: 162 housing units, with 46 affordable units and 17 dedicated for seniors; 160,000 square-feet of office space including the Yard, a new co-working space; 60,000 square-feet of retail space that includes local retailers, a preschool, and a Trader Joe’s; and an outdoor plaza. 

In addition to housing, retail, and office spaces, the Hine Project includes a number of community amenities, such as a space for an Advisory Neighborhood Commission in the 700 Penn building. The outdoor plaza, built for pedestrian and market use, reopened in November and hosts the Capitol Hill Flea Market (Saturday) and The Flea Market at Eastern Market (Sunday). Additionally, construction, led by Barracks Row Main Street, will begin soon on a community playground.

The project, which is creating approximately 2,500 construction jobs and 700 permanent jobs, was led by the Office of Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and developed by EastBanc and Stanton Development.

Lyft "Merry Mode" Caroling Campaign

Deputy Mayor Kenner and Office of Planning Director Eric Shaw participated in Lyft's "Merry Mode" campaign. From Dec. 14-19  you could have requested #MerryMode for rides in a car fitted with a gigantic holiday sweater and backseat karaoke. Proceeds from "Merry Mode" rides benefited Martha's Table organization, helping DC families in need this holiday season. Check out the video here.

WDCEP Annual Meeting & Showcase

On Dec. 2, Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP) hosted its 2017 Annual Meeting and ECON Showcase, WDCEP’s annual luncheon celebrated Washington, DC’s thriving economic ecosystem. David M. Rubenstein, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of The Carlyle Group, discussed how business, culture and community will continue to shape the future of Washington, DC’s economic landscape. Deputy Mayor Kenner spoke on how we are attracting major companies to the District. DMPED staff were on hand to discuss our real estate and business development projects prior to the luncheon.

PopLocal #MadeInDC

DMPED's leadership team participated in an outing to PopLocal, a pop-up shop in L'Enfant Plaza mall, that features locally made products from 15 small businesses in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. This is a one-of-a-kind shopping experience engaging residents and welcoming tourists to D.C. beyond the monuments. Vendors featured a wide variety of great gift items, including jewelry, art, skincare, paper products and home goods. Stop by until January 31st! #MadeInDC

Affordable Housing Spotlight: Mayor Bowser Announces "Vacant to Vibrant DC"

Mayor Bowser launched “Vacant to Vibrant DC,” a new five-point plan to transform vacant spaces into approximately 70 units of workforce housing, community green spaces, and economic development opportunities for small businesses throughout the city. The plan will reduce the District’s vacant property inventory by reactivating up to 50 sites from the Department of Housing and Community Development’s Property Acquisition and Disposition Division.

The bulk of the sites will be made available through three key disposition processes:

• More than 30 sites, located in neighborhoods such as Bellvue (Ward 8), Carver/Langston (Ward 5), Deanwood (Ward 7), and Park View (Ward 1), will be auctioned to produce approximately 50 workforce housing units. An online auction will be conducted by Alex Cooper Auctioneers in mid-January.
• Up to eight sites, located in neighborhoods that include Anacostia (Ward 8) and Deanwood (Ward 7), will be offered through an invitation for bid to participants in the District’s Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) program to transform the sites into workforce housing units.
• Two sites, one located in Anacostia (Ward 8) and the other in Carver/Langston (Ward 5), will be made available through the DC Housing Finance Agency’s Housing Investment Platform to produce 10 workforce housing units.

One site will be used as a demonstration project on tiny home construction, and the remaining sites will be made available for the expansion and preservation of outdoor green spaces in Ward 8.

#inclusiveprosperity #DCValues