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 MoreNew Woodridge Library
Last night was the latest update on the entirely new Woodridge Library that we will soon be seeing at 18th and Rhode Island! Make sure to go click over to the blog DC Libraries have set up to provide updates with design and construction. Some of the notable aspects of the library: The design includes a room on the top level for reading or meeting with lots of glass and part of the green roof will be accessible to patrons. Terrace on the first level looking out over Langdon Park. A small area for a coffeeshop (or other small retail) in the entry area. The current plan is likely not to pursue any changes to Hamlin Street NE, but the road could be altered in the future to provide more of a pedestrian plaza in front of the library. The latest timeline has the library closing down in late summer/early fall and reopening at the temporary location at Douglass and 18th St NE about three weeks later (the have to move the books!). From the time the old library closes it’ll be about 15 months until the new building opens, which puts us at late 2014/early 2015 for our beautiful new...
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 MoremoveDC Public Workshops
moveDC Update – Important Dates and Opportunities to Get Involved moveDC is coming to a location near you. Throughout 2013, they will hold three rounds of public workshops to talk with you about your commute and transportation’s role in building a more prosperous, sustainable, competitive, and vital city. Additionally, the public is invited to attend Transportation Planning Advisory Committee (TPAC) Meetings. All public workshops and meetings offer an opportunity for you to learn more and to share your ideas and insight. Learn more about these meetings at: www.wemovedc.org 1. moveDC Ideas that Build – Public Workshops Scheduled for March 2013 Attend a workshop to find out what moveDC heard during the February Idea Exchange and to participate in fun a and interactive activities. Each location will follow the same agenda. 2. moveDC Ideas that Build – Web Meeting Scheduled April 9, 2013 If you are unable to attend one of the public workshops in March, DDOT will host a one-hour web meeting. This online meeting is a companion to the four moveDC (Ideas that Build) workshops they are holding in March 2013. When: Tuesday April 9, 2013, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Register Now: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1829219361024494080 3. moveDC Transportation Plan Advisory Committee Meeting (TPAC) April 9, 2013 The TPAC is charged with acting in an advisory role to the project team throughout the plan development process. All TPAC meetings are open to the public. Each meeting’s agenda will be structured to offer time for presentation and sharing of information, discussion by the TPAC and questions and discussion with the public. When: Tuesday, April 9, 2013, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Where: National Capital Planning Commission Chambers, 401 9th Street, NW, Suite 500 (North Lobby), Washington DC 20004...
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