Notice of Funding Availability Issued by DSLBD for a Rhode Island Avenue NE Main Street Operator

DEPARTMENT OF SMALL AND LOCAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

 

NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY

 

DC Main Streets 

(Rhode Island Avenue, NE - Ward 5 Target Area)

 

The Department of Small and Local Business Development is soliciting applications from qualified 501 (c) (3) non-profit organizations that are incorporated in the District of Columbia to operate a DC Main Streets program for the Rhode Island Avenue, NE commercial corridor in Ward 5.

 

The designated DC Main Streets program (organization) will receive $200,000 in grant funding and technical assistance to support commercial revitalization initiatives. The Rhode Island Avenue Main Streets organization will develop programs and services to: (1) assist business districts with the retention, expansion and attraction of neighborhood-serving retail stores; and (2) unify and strengthen the commercial corridor. The DC Main Streets grant award is a recurring grant.

 

The grant recipient will be selected through a competitive application process and announced September2013.  Interested applicants should review the Program’s Guidelines and submit a complete application form for receipt via email on or beforeWednesday, August 28, 2013, at 4:00 p.m.

 

The Request for Application (RFA), which comprises the application form and program guidelines, will be available on July 26, 2013 at www.dslbd.dc.gov .

 

Instructions and guidance regarding application preparation can be found in the RFA. DSLBD will host an Information Session on August 8, 2013 at 3:00 pmat DSLBD’s office (441 4th Street, NW, Washington DC 20001; photo required to enter building).  All applicant organizations must attend.  This session will be your finalopportunity to get answers to your questions.

 

For more information, contact Cristina Amoruso, DC Main Streets Coordinator, Office of Commercial Revitalization, Department of Small and Local Business Development at (202) 727-3900.

Special ANC 5C Meeting Tonight

There is a special ANC 5C meeting tonight and it was brought to my attention there is an item that looks suspiciously like the 4th Street NE "Gateway" project on the agenda even though it is not specifically named or given identifying information.  This is beyond troubling to me as that project team has not attempted any community outreach beyond attending a couple of minimally attended community meetings.  With all of the press and attention that other development projects get in the area it is really important that we come together and demand the best project possible for our neighborhood.  That said if you can attend tonight please do so and let the ANC know your concerns with the project.

Personally, I would like more retail and to ensure that the building is as green as possible.  At the last meeting I saw the project team had added a little more retail so it went from roughly 3,000 square feet to 5,000 square feet.  I think it could get even better.  Other neighbors have expressed concerns with parking that I do not think have been addressed.  The building design is still not the most attractive or open for adding to the streetscape.  I also think that they should buy the neighboring liquor store out and include that lot in the development.  I think it is really important that they get more feedback from the neighbors who live in the area.

There is also the issue of the project being 100% affordable housing.  Many neighbors are not supportive of this idea.  It was requested of the project team if it must be 100% affordable housing then they make it condos instead of apartments.  While I am not opposed to affordable housing it is very apparent the quality of the building that you get is inferior when it is 100% affordable housing versus a market rate building with a smaller percent affordable.  I would like this project to be the beginning of a transformation of the commercial corridor of 4th Street and Rhode Island Ave NE and feel that we need the best possible project we can get for our neighborhood.

More Development Coming to Edgewood?

As projects around the neighborhood are getting completed it looks like H Street Development Corporation is finally trying to move forward on the development of the big, ugly, empty lot on 4th Street NE near Rhode Island Avenue NE.  I talked to them and they said that they have no groundbreaking dates or details as they are currently "in discussions" with lawyers and financiers.  The project has been added to their website again with no extra details.  It originally was planned to have underground parking, street level retail and housing on the upper floors which looks like at least 8 floors from the drawing on the website.  That height would make it the tallest building in that area and I wonder how that would play out in the community.  I like the concept and hope they keep it although I would love to hear more details!

Recap of the Rhode Island Avenue Task Force Meeting

This morning I attended the Rhode Island Avenue Task Force meeting and I wanted to share what  I learned as it pertains to Edgewood.  Also,  I would like to encourage people to attend these meetings as they are open to the whole community and it is a great way to get your voice heard and be a part of the development of Rhode Island Avenue NE.  The next meeting is being scheduled for the end of February.

The meeting started with an introduction of the different groups that were present.  There was quite a bit of blunt expression demonstrating the fractured relationship by the Premier CDC group towards the Friends of Rhode Island Ave group.  I have experience with the Premier CDC group in regards to them working towards starting an Edgewood Farmer's Market and I joined the Friends of Rhode Island Avenue group when they started last year.  So, that said I am not going to go into details of the discussion I am going to say I think both groups have a niche and there is so much to be done that the more the merrier.  I just hope people can work together and not duplicate efforts.  I think it would be best if each group could focus on specific initiatives and the Task Force meetings could be used to delegate and discusss what each group is doing.

There was a representative from CM Orange's office there and Jeff Miller, Director of Real Estate from the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development was there as well.  They were both very informative about programs and initiatives and honest about the lack of money for government funding for many of these items.

I asked many questions about the potential Farmer's Market in Edgewood.  Premier CDC group stated that they are still working on it hoping to start one this year.  They have been talking with Vanguard at the Rhode Island Shopping Center, but they still do not have anything signed.  Jeff Miller stated that his office has also been discussing it with Vanguard and also offered the option that the Rhode Island Row development would be happy to have the Farmer's Market there.  It seems that we may very well have one this year.

Jeff Miller also stated that over 50% of the Rhode Island Row development's retail has already been leased.  He did not share any new tenants past the ones we already know.  I am hoping that Rhode Island Row will start advertising who they are as their spaces are being completed.

The Rhode Island Shopping Center was discussed further as I asked a few more questions about it and was told that development may be closer than I was previously told.  Basically the leases being signed by the new discount grocer/retailer are going to be shorter term and redevelopment could happen in pieces.

I made a few connections at the meeting for an outdoor movie night that I am trying to plan and coordinate with multiple groups along Rhode Island Avenue.  If anyone is interested in being involved with planning let me know!

Rhode Island Avenue New Tenant

ICYMI Lydia DePillis reported this week that a Sav-A-Lot discount grocery store is coming to the Rhode Island Avenue Shopping Center.  She reports that it will be opening in Spring/Summer 2012 in a portion of the old Safeway spot.  I had been told awhile ago by Vanguard that they were looking at a discount grocery store/ discount store combination to fill the space.  This makes me wonder if Big Lots is still looking to fill the rest of this space or if they wanted too long of a lease.  The shopping center is looking to redevelop when the leases of its current tenants end in the next 8-10 years.

Rhode Island Avenue Task Force Saturday, Jan 21st

Premier CDC is pleased to host the Rhode Island Avenue Task Force meeting from 10 am. to Noon on Saturday, January 21 at the Woodridge Library. Agenda items will include:

I. Update Reports from organizations, i.e. Freinds of Rhode Island Avenue, Greater Washington Chamber of Commerce, Rhode Island Avenue Business Assn, Premier CDC

II. Review of Written Reports from the Break-out Groups

III. Formulation of a Committee to Organize Tour of Rhode Island Avenue

III. Guest Speaker

IV. Next Steps

For questions, agenda items or more information, please call: (202) 491-9245

"Success is Not a Destination --- It's a Never-Ending Journey"

Eckington's New Nail Place

Update- I walked by with the pups and noticed they are closed on Tuesdays open every other day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. except Sundays when they are open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

I noticed that the tax place on Rhode Island Ave NE near 4th Street NE has been converted into a nail and beauty shop.  I will update the post when I check it out and see the hours.  It is the reincarnation of Elegance Nails which was in the burnt out building that is now the Mint Condos.  I am happy to see this as the tax place was closed most of the year and it is nice to have some open businesses on that strip.

Row Island Row Update

Since my sources were right about the CVS and these retailers make sense I am sharing the new list of tenants for Rhode Island Row.

CVS
DMV
Dunkin Donuts
Five Guys
Sprint

Here's hoping something more local and sit-down joins them soon!!

Friends of Woodridge Library's Fall Book Sale

Friends of Woodridge Library's Fall Book Sale


Saturday, December 3, 2011
---------------------------------------
9:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Come to our book sale for great books at great prices.

We have everything from novels to children’s books, romance to classics, history, cookbooks, for and about Blacks, and more. Check it out!
-----------------------------------

The Woodridge Library is located at
1801 Hamlin St. NE
(Rhode Island Ave. and 18th St. NE)
Washington D.C

For more information, call the Library at (202) 541-6226
All proceeds from the sale will benefit the Woodridge Library.
------------------------------------
http://www.dclibraryfriends.org/woodridge

Ward 5 Rhode Island Avenue Task Force Meeting November 30th 6:30 p.m.

Please see the message below which updates the agenda for the upcoming meeting on development of Rhode Island Avenue NE.  There is now a component where Montel Williams will be there to talk about medical marijuana and I am not sure how that fits into the development.  I guess we will find out.

Think Rhode Island Avenue!


Ward 5 Rhode Island Avenue Task Force meeting

With special guest presentation by Montel Williams

November 30, 2011
6:30 to 7:30 Task force meets
7:30 to 9:00 Special guest Montel Williams to discuss medical marijuana

Israel Baptist Church
1251 Saratoga Avenue, N.E.
Washington, D.C.

6:30 pm

What is the Rhode Island Avenue NE/ Task force?

Rhode Island Avenue, NE is a District of Columbia Government designated “Great Streets” corridor. The Great Streets Initiative is a multiple agency effort to transform under-invested corridors into thriving and inviting neighborhood centers using public actions and tools, as needed, to leverage new private investment.

This is an important and long-overlooked corridor that is well-positioned to gain in its importance and prominence to the District. Along with community leadership, property and business owners, residents, and other stakeholders, I invite you to take a significant step with us to implement plans for the commercial districts along the corridor.
Why is your involvement needed?

Rhode Island Avenue, NE has potential to provide new housing, jobs, and retail goods and services, which many in Woodridge, Langdon, Brookland, Edgewood and Brentwood may now buy in the surrounding counties. The Task force will provide strategic recommendations about how we use the great street study to capture a portion of the $1 billion in retail sales revenues (and jobs) lost each year to other jurisdictions. The Task force will help determine where the strategic opportunities are, and what is needed to lay the groundwork for new and sustainable investment using the four sub areas below as a blue print.

Four Sub-areas:

4th St to 10th
13th St to 16th
17th St to Kearny
Monroe to Eastern (low commercial - high residence)

Task Force plans to embrace organized groups and support their complimentary independent initiatives that will move a joint plan: Premier Community Development Corporation (PCDC), Friends of Rhode Island Avenue (FORIA), Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC), Rhode Island Avenue Business Council, and Ward 5 Business Council, community and business groups

Think Rhode Island Avenue.

7:30 pm

Special presentation and discussion from Montel Williams on medical marijuana as it relates to ward five

Sponsored by Councilmember Harry L. Thomas, Jr., Ward 5

Capital Bikeshare Crowdsourcing Map

To follow in all my fellow bloggers footsteps I would like to ask everyone to get on the Capital Bikeshare Crowdsourcing map and suggest stations that you would like in Edgewood and beyond.  Remember you can like stations that others have already suggested and make comments on them.  I am pretty sure that EYA is adding a station to the Chancellor's Row development and that Rhode Island Row is adding one as well. 

Here is the link to add your choices.

Capital Bikeshare Crowdsourcing Map

Here is what our area looks like on the map right now:

Rhode Island Row Update

First Phase of Rhode Island Row Ready For Occupancy in October


http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/first_phase_of_rhode_island_row_ready_for_occupancy_in_october/3795

First Phase of Rhode Island Row Ready For Occupancy in October
July 13, 2011
5 Comments
by Andrew Siddons

Rhode Island Row

If you've driven on Rhode Island Avenue over the last year or so, you may have noticed that sprawling parking lots near the Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood Metro station have given way to construction sites, which are nearly looking like places where people might live and shop one day.

UrbanTurf recently spoke to Vicki Davis, president of Urban-Atlantic, who is developing the Rhode Island Row project, a large mixed-use project at 919 Rhode Island Avenue NE next to the Red Line station. Davis said that starting in October, the first of the project's 274 rental units will be ready for occupancy, and that potential tenants will be able to start looking at apartments in mid-August.

"We are planning on having our leasing staff start temporarily on site starting then," she said. "We'll be doing pre-marketing and hard-hat tours."

Split between two buildings (north and south), the apartments will be delivered in 30 to 40-unit phases, with subsequent deliveries scheduled for December, January, and March. (All of the units are expected to deliver by Summer 2013.) The first apartments will be in the north building located on Rhode Island Avenue, twenty percent of which will be offered at below market rates.

Rendering of completed Rhode Island Row.

The two buildings will also have 70,000 square feet of retail between them, although the first establishments won't open until next March. For now, Urban-Atlantic is staying mum about potential tenants, waiting to make an announcement about retail offerings until the end of the year. However, the developer has reached out to the neighborhood for retail suggestions through the Rhode Island Insider blog. If these recommendations are taken into account, there will be sit-down restaurants, a coffee shop, a grocery store, a dry cleaners, and a mix of retail other than clothing and shoe stores.

In between the project's two buildings will be a road with three lanes of street parking, a pedestrian median, and sidewalk fronting retail. This section will include 42 parallel parking spaces, that will add to the north building's 168 public parking spots. (A new 212-space Metro parking garage is also scheduled to open in August.) The north building's garage will also include a public electric-car charging station. Both residential buildings will offer green roofs, with planting boxes designed to absorb rainwater to prevent runoff and help with insulation. The north building will have a rooftop terrace with fire pits and seating areas, and the south building will include a pool and fitness center.