RIA-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 MoreWoodridge coverage in the Post’s The Root DC blog
Woodridge got some coverage during the slow holiday news season, with this post from the Washington Post’s blog, The Root DC: “When we moved here, you could get almost everything that you needed on Rhode Island Avenue,” said Hassan, 66, who for 40 years has lived in the quiet leafy community that is largely bounded by South Dakota Avenue, Bladensburg Road, Eastern Avenue, Michigan Avenue and 18th Street. “One by one by one, we saw all these amenities go.” But some of Hassan’s new neighbors are hoping to bring back the commercial amenities that once characterized the neighborhood. For these residents, Woodridge, and the old commercial corridor along Rhode Island, hold much potential. Check out the full story here. And you can check out other stories at The Root DC blog as...
Read MoreMayor Gray: don’t forget about Ward 5
Rhode Island Avenue NE missing from Mayor’s list of grant areas On Monday, Mayor Vincent Gray announced $400,000 in Great Streets Small Business Capital Improvements Grants to four commercial corridors in the District. These grants are available to support and foster growth in small businesses within the targeted areas. FoRIA is pleased to see that the Mayor is extending these additional resources for commercial corridor revitalization. FoRIA has advocated and will continue to advocate for this type of support from the District for existing businesses and the attraction of new businesses along Rhode Island Avenue NE. In laying out his 5 year economic plan, Mayor Gray prioritized the idea of curtailing “retail leakage” from the District to neighboring jurisdictions. Given the recently announced mixed-use development coming to Mt. Rainier just one block away from Woodridge, and the continuing development in Hyattsville, the need for support of the RIA NE commercial corridor is even more urgent. We call upon Mayor Gray to expand the Great Streets Small Business Capital Improvements Grants program to include Rhode Island Avenue NE in Ward 5. As always, FoRIA will continue to work with our ally, Council Member McDuffie, to make support for this corridor a priority for any new small business grants in targeted...
Read MoreUrban Turf: Bicycles, Bakeries and Restaurants Fill Up Rhode Island Avenue’s Retail Strip
Based on the recent spate of new retail and dining services coming to the area, Urban Turf once again covers Rhode Island Avenue NE in a new article released today. Check out the good things headed our way! “Bicycles, Bakeries and Restaurants Fill Up Rhode Island Avenue’s Retail Strip” ...
Read More
