Making Rhode Island Avenue NE a little friendlier for bikes
Infrastructure to benefit cyclists AND retailers One of the most important components to successful and vibrant commercial corridors is a feeling of accessibility. Customers should feel like they can safely and easily navigate the commercial district, no matter what mode of transportation they utilize. From the retailer’s perspective, pedestrian and bike-friendly infrastructure can increase sales revenues up to 49% (“Measuring the Street: New Metrics for the 21st Century”, 2012) – and what business doesn’t want increased sales? Last week, we were on hand as 3 new sets of bike racks were installed in the Woodridge area of RIA-NE. Our friends at DDOT and Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) responded to our request to improve bike infrastructure, and we couldn’t be happier with the results. You can now find staple-style bike racks near the following locations: 2300 RIA-NE 2008 RIA-NE 2117 RIA-NE...
Read MoreFriends of Rhode Island Avenue Kicks off Business Bites Program
On Tuesday, May 21st from 7:30am – 9:00am, Friends of Rhode Island Avenue (FoRIA) hosted its first monthly Business Bites networking event at FlipIt2 Bakery (1544 Rhode Island Avenue, NE). The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC) and the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF) sponsored the event. More than 20 people came out for breakfast and a discussion about how to improve the business environment on Rhode Island Avenue, NE. Council Member Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5) also joined the group, and shared his vision and work on behalf of Rhode Island Avenue with the DC City Council in the FY14 budget. ANC representatives Karla Butler (5C02) and Nolan Treadway (5C07) also attended. “Veteran and new businesses on Rhode Island Avenue have let us know that they want a sense of community and collaboration. Bringing people together to help make that happen is central to the mission of FoRIA,” Executive Director Kyle Todd said. “We look forward to working with all the businesses on the Avenue, and helping them thrive in any way we can.” The event was created in response to the results of a business needs survey conducted by FoRIA’s Business & Economic Development Committee in March 2013. On the survey, a number of businesses said they wanted to get to know the other business owners on the Avenue. This inaugural event was a trial run with the interested businesses. The next Business Bites will be held on June 25th from 7:30am – 9:00am at FlipIt2 and the 4th Tuesday of every month thereafter. The event is free to attend, and open to all Rhode Island Avenue, NE entrepreneurs, business owners, and commercial property owners. If you would like to sponsor a Breakfast Bites event, please contact Kyle Todd for details and to make...
Read MoreMayor’s FY2014 Budget Town Hall Meeting
Tomorrow evening, Mayor Vincent Gray will visit Ward 5 to get feedback from the community on the FY2014 budget. Come out and support an investment in Ward 5! Many of you wrote to the Mayor in support of increased funding for RIA projects, such as grants for new and existing businesses, as well as funding for streetscape and infrastructure improvements. While the current draft of the budget includes money for the various Retail Priority Areas in the District (RIA is one of these), and for money to be allocated to DDOT for streetscape improvements, the language of the budget seems very vague with regards to RIA. We’d like to impress upon the Mayor the need for some clarification and investment in Ward 5. If we want our small businesses to thrive, and if we want more jobs to be created right here in our community, we need Mayor Gray and the DC Council to make a commitment to economic development investment in Ward 5. Hope to see you tomorrow – 6:30 – 8:30 pm, at the Luke Moore...
Read MoreRIA-NE: The Momentum is Growing
It has been a VERY busy couple of weeks over here at the world-wide FoRIA headquarters, with #GoodWard5News pouring in from all directions. A quick re-cap: March 15: Manny & Olga’s announces that they are coming to 2117 RIA-NE March 18: Capoeira DC announces that they are coming to 2008 RIA-NE March 21: Zeke’s Coffee of DC announces that they are coming to 2300 RIA-NE And the best news of all? We are just getting started. Now is when we need each of you to help us keep the momentum going, and here are two super easy ways that you can keep the #GoodWard5News rolling in: 1. Let the Mayor know that you want him to invest in RIA-NE. With just a couple of clicks of your mouse, you can use the power of democracy to remind Mayor Gray that Ward 5 and the RIA-NE community wants and deserves the same economic opportunities that other Wards have enjoyed. 2. Join a committee. Our committees are doing great things! Sometimes the work is hard, but oh, the rewards! Do it. Get involved. Work side by side with your neighbors to support existing businesses, help bring in new businesses and new jobs, and help us bring even more art and beauty to our wonderful community. Do it. Be a Ward 5 Hero. Got questions? Leave me a comment here. Or shoot me an email. Or call me. I would love to hear your positive ideas for RIA-NE, and how you would like to get more involved with...
Read MoreBig News for Ward 5 Coffee Lovers!
Ready for some caffeine-infused happiness? FoRIA is excited to welcome Zeke’s Coffee of DC to their future home at 2300 RIA-NE! The small batch roastery is a favorite at many farmers markets and retailers across the region. Owner and DC resident, John Kepner, says they will be roasting and serving a wide selection of coffees at the in-house “coffee lab.” And yes, outdoor seating is in the plans! A summer grand opening is in the works so stay tuned. Also, be sure to check out their website – www.zekescoffeedc.com – to see some of their coffee selections, plus a rendering of their facade...
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