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South by Southwest (SXSW) is an annual conglomerate of film, interactive media, and music festivals and conferences that take place in mid-March in Austin, Texas. District leaders attend each year and host at the #WeDC House because DC is known as an inclusive innovation hub that is more than just a place where the federal government is located.
While at the WeDC house, we met a host of entrepreneurs and tech
leaders who shared how DC is a great place for tech businesses to thrive. To
quote Meghan Gaffney, founder of Veda Data, “Venture capital is looking at DC
because DC has the best women tech founders. … DC is the place for women CEOs
like me. Veda Data is happy to be a part of the best city for women in tech.”
Or Tim Hwang, CEO of Fiscal Note, who spoke of how the creative energy in DC is
important for growing his business in DC. And there was Shelly Bell who spoke
on a roundtable about Beacon’s work in DC: “Last year we sat alongside Mayor
Bowser who introduced us to the world. … We assist to amplify what is already
happening… what women are already doing for other women entrepreneurs in DC.”
The two-day activation featured panel discussions on creating a
diverse and inclusive tech scene as well as how cities are driving autonomous
vehicle technology. The WeDC House also hosted a musical celebration that
featured all women performers.
“Washington, DC is a tech-driven city that attracts
residents, visitors, and businesses from around the world, and we are proud to
showcase our innovative initiatives at a globally-recognized festival like
South by Southwest. As a forward-thinking city that is focused on
spreading prosperity and promoting inclusivity, we are excited to be a part of
these game-changing conversations on technology, culture, and entertainment.” said Mayor Bowser.
 On March 27, Mayor
Muriel Bowser and Deputy Mayor
Brian Kenner revealed more than 10 projects soon to be available to Washington,
DC’s development and construction community. The announcement came at DMPED’s March
Madness, an annual effort to create more quality affordable housing,
support small and local businesses, and expand job opportunities for DC
residents.
"As the contractor for the Anthem fit-out, it was a thrill to hand out our write up on the project
when CBE sub-contractors stopped by and asked us what type of work we did," said Eric Tievy, DC Project Executive, and Director of Operations of Consigli Construction Co. "We know we identified many more
CBE’s to bid with us on future projects here in DC."
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 The
Bowser Administration launched March Madness in 2015 and to date has introduced
more than 40 projects through the annual event. Today, 10 additional projects
were unveiled that feature parks, libraries, housing, retail and more.
DMPED
announced four projects:
- 2
Patterson Street, NE (Ward 6)
- 1004-1018
Howard Road and Shannon Place (Ward 8)
- St.
Elizabeths - Parcel 15 (Ward 8)
- 400-414
Eastern Avenue NE and 6100 block of Dix Street, NE – Eden Place (Ward 7)
The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced four opportunities:
- Stead
Park Recreation Center, 1625 P Street, NW (Ward 2)
- Fort
Lincoln Park and Theodore Hagans Recreation Center, 3201 Ft Lincoln Drive,
NE (Ward 5)
- Therapeutic
Recreation Center, 3030 G Street, SE (Ward 7)
The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) announced two Vacant to Vibrant opportunities that will open the week of April 16, 2018:
-
2805 4th Street NE (Ward 5)
- 2412 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE (Ward 8)
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) highlighted contracting and
construction opportunities for the new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, the
chief facet of the South Capitol Street Corridor Project which is the largest
public infrastructure project in the history of DDOT. For more information, go
to ddot.dc.gov.
DCPL also showcased three opportunities:
- Lamond-Riggs
Library, 5401 South Dakota Avenue, NE (Ward 5)
- Southeast
Library, 403 7th Street, SE (Ward 6)
- Southwest
Library, 900 Wesley Place, SW (Ward 6)
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 On March 16, the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce held its 9th Annual Business Expo themed "Invest in Your Success" at the Walter E. Convention Center. Mayor Bowser and Deputy Mayor Kenner participated in a panel discussion on small businesses and entrepreneurial opportunities on the horizon.
"In DC, we are focused on creating jobs and increasing affordable housing...And our competitive advantage is that we continue to be an ideal place for entrepreneurs who are women and people of color," said Brian Kenner.
We have three jobs in the mission of our agency:
increase tax revenue, develop affordable housing and create jobs for DC
residents – and GWHCC has played a big role in helping businesses grow, and in
turn, creating jobs in the District.
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On March 26, Mayor
Bowser kicked off Roots to Roofs Week at a revitalization groundbreaking
for 220 affordable housing units at the Parkway Overlook Apartments in the Ward
8 neighborhood of Congress Heights. The complex, which has been vacant since
2007, will have mostly family-sized units and provide workforce development
training to residents and energy savings through the installation of solar
panels through the Solar for All program.
“Parkway Overlook at Robinson Place SE was my first apartment when I was 21 years old, a single mother, with 3 children. I felt so much excitement to move into my own apartment with 3 bedrooms," said Rufaro
Jenkins, Ward 8 resident. "My rent was $65 because that is all I could afford to pay. Truth be told, I had a long road ahead of me, but I overcame. Today, I am a homeowner just a couple of blocks away.”
The $82.2 million rehabilitation of
the complex, located at 2841 Robinson Place, SE, near the Congress Heights
Metro Station and St. Elizabeths East Campus, will be comprised of one-, two-,
and three-bedrooms and all will be affordable to households making up to 50
percent of the area median income (AMI) or
about $54,600 for a family of four. Eleven units will be available for
households at or below $33,090 (30 percent of AMI)
and will be set aside as permanent
supportive housing.
The units
will be comprised of 53 one-bedrooms, 108 two-bedrooms and 59 three-bedroom
apartments to accommodate a variety of family sizes. The project also includes
13 units that will be accessible to individuals with disabilities. Job
training, classes in workforce development and financial literacy, and
after-school activities will be offered at the community building. The entire
complex will undergo a gut renovation and receive new heating and cooling
systems, appliances, electrical systems, kitchens, and bathrooms. The leasing
office will move to Robinson Place, and the community building will be upgraded
to include a fitness room, business center, resident lounge, and study lounge.
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