GIANT OPENS IN WARD 8
200 WARD 8 RESIDENTS HIRED BY NEW STORE
(Left: Councilmember Brown with a Ward 8 resident hired by Giant for the new store.) Yesterday, At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Super Giant in Ward 8. The Super Giant is the first District supermarket to open east of the Anacostia River since 1997. The store will be known as the Camp Simms Giant because of its location at the former National Guard facility known as Camp Simms. Giant also announced it hired 200 residents from Ward 8 to run the store. “I’m excited and proud to have participated in this important event,” said Brown. “Residents who live in Ward 8 have great cause for celebration. These residents were in desperate need of not only development but a readily accessible full service food store. I will continue to advocate for projects like this that spur development in neighborhoods outside of downtown and provide residents with retail and affordable housing.” Camp Simms Giant is located at 1535 Alabama Avenue, SE. It is 63,000 square feet and is a full service food and pharmacy store. According to a press release provided by Giant, the store will be open Monday-Saturday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. A pharmacy will be open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
________________________________________________________________ NATION’S CAPITAL AT THE CENTER OF A NATIONAL CAUSE
(DC voting rights advocates testify on taxation without representation bill.) On Thursday, the Committee of the Whole held a public hearing on B17-28 “Taxation without Representation Federal Tax Pay-Out Message Board Installation Act of 2007.” The bill was authored by At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown and co-introduced by Councilmembers Barry and Schwartz. The legislation would authorize the District to create two LED message boards, one to be displayed on the John A. Wilson Building and the other on the new Nationals baseball stadium. On September 19, 2007, the United States Senate voted on whether or not to provide the District of Columbia a voting representative. Unfortunately, even with the tireless dedication of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Congressman Tom Davis, DC Vote and dedicated District residents, the measure did not pass. “The Senate’s failure to pass the DC Voting Rights Act is a disappointment and historical setback for our democracy,” Brown stated after the vote. “I applaud the efforts of DC Vote, Congresswoman Norton, Congressman Davis and the voice of our residents. Let us not be discouraged and give up the battle to end taxation without representation. Together, we can turn this injustice into a victory for our democracy.” With that in mind, Councilmember Brown decided it was time to help continue the effort to raise awareness nationally about the issue. “What better way to bring attention to a national issue than on Pennsylvania Avenue?” asked Brown. “Every four years during the Presidential inauguration, the president elect travels down Pennsylvania Avenue, passing the Wilson Building. This is a positive way to bring awareness to a cause we can all share as Americans…our fundamental right to representation.” Investigative reporter Mark Segraves of WTOP radio and Bruce DePuyt, host of NewsTalk on Channel 8, advocated for this legislation. Through a Freedom of Information Act request it was reported by the IRS that District residents had paid over $40 billion in federal taxes since 1941. During Chairman Gray’s opening statement, he noted that District residents have sacrificed more lives in war than 20 other states. "Our brothers and sisters are fighting for the same cause of freedom around the world and deserve proper representation in our government,” said Brown. Public witnesses testified passionately before the committee including: - US Shadow Senators Paul Strauss and Michael Brown;
- US Shadow Representative Michael Panetta;
- Illir Zherka, Executive Director of DC Vote;
- Eugene Dewitt Kinlow, Outreach Director of DC Vote; and
- Matthew Cary, President, Veterans and Military Families for Progress. “I want to thank the witnesses for their testimony,” said Brown. “I also want to thank those who continue to fight for voting rights for 550,000 citizens who live in the District of Columbia. I look forward to a day when my children have full representation in our democracy.”
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UPDATE ON PUBLIC HEARINGS ON SCHOOL RESTRUCTURING: TIMES ADDED
(Left: Parents and community members attend a public meeting in Ward 5 on school restructuring this past Monday.) Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and Chancellor Michelle Rhee will be holding community meetings throughout the District to discuss the proposed school plan and to gather public input. Below are the currently announced dates, locations and newly updated times. MEETING DATES FOR WARDS 1, 2, AND 6 December 10, 2007: Tubman Elementary School, 3101 13th Street, NW, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
December 17, 2007: Francis Junior High School, 2425 N Street, NW, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
January 9, 2008: Miner Elementary School, 601 15th Street, NE, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. MEETING DATES FOR WARDS 4 AND 5 December 11, 2007: Noyes Elementary School, 2725 10th Street, NE, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
December 18, 2007: Barnard Elementary School, 430 Decatur Street, NW, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
January 10, 2008: Emery Elementary School, 1720 1st Street, NE, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. MEETING DATES FOR WARDS 7 AND 8 December 12, 2007: Patterson Elementary School, 4399 South Capitol Terrace, SW, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
December 19, 2007: Plummer Elementary School, 4601 Texas Avenue, SE, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
January 11, 2008: Hart Middle School, 601 Mississippi Avenue, SE, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. To learn more visit the District of Columbia Schools website at http://www.k12.dc.us/.
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GEORGIA AVENUE PROJECT MOVES ANOTHER STEP FORWARD
--Hearing focused on $1.5 million grant for neighborhood project providing affordable housing--
(Left: Councilmember Brown Tours Gateway Georgia Avenue Main Street with Councilmember Bowser and the Executive Director of the Main Street.) Yesterday, At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown, Chair of the Committee on Economic Development, held a hearing on B17-480 “Park East Assistance Amendment Act of 2007.” The bill authorizes the allocation of $1.5 million to the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) for the purpose of issuing a grant to Georgia Avenue Investment Partners, LLC. The funding will be used to develop affordable housing and retail on the 6400 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. “I am going to continue to concentrate on pushing projects forward to spur development of neighborhoods outside of downtown,” said Brown. “But it’s critical that we protect affordable housing so that people can afford to live where they work and to also provide opportunities for local retail businesses to prosper.” Geoffrey Griffis, a principal of Georgia Avenue Investment Partners, LLC, testified before the Committee about the project’s history and future plans. According to Griffis, the partners have been involved on the project since December of 2005. The partners plan to create “workforce condos,” which are “priced and targeted at working families with incomes of around $90,000 or less.” According to the partners, the design of Park East has “evolved into a five-story, 39-unit residential building with on site parking. Of the 39 units, 12 units will be set aside for affordable home ownership opportunities.” Griffis urged Councilmembers to support the legislation. D. Kamili Anderson, President of the Brightwood Community Association and Derrick Woody of DMPED both testified in favor of the Park East legislation. “I just cannot seem to pass up an opportunity to voice my membership’s support for the project being discussed today,” said Anderson. An official statement submitted by Woody on behalf of Deputy Mayor Neil Albert stated, “The authorization of the funds for this Great Streets expenditure was originally approved by the DC Council as part of the ‘Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2006.” DMPED also stated that the total development cost is estimated by the developer to be $14 million and that the project will likely break ground in the summer of 2008. “I’m looking forward to having a ground breaking at this site,” said Brown. “Georgia Avenue is a key business and residential corridor in the city and we should do everything possible to move these projects forward in a timely manner.”
________________________________________________________________ SMALL BUSINESS ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM (SBEEP)
Free Assessment and up to $3000 for Improvements Help your neighborhood business owners maximize their profits by reducing their utility bills -- Encourage them to participate in free Energy Efficiency Assessment offered by the District Department of the Environment (DDOE). During the visit, DDOE will assess the commercial space's energy use and loss, identity energy efficiency measures that the business owners can take, and estimate the energy and financial savings available. DDOE also offers up to $3000 for small business owner to install eligible energy efficient measures, which could include: energy-efficient lighting, occupancy sensors, setback thermostats, building envelopes and HVAC system repairs. For more information, please call DDOE's Energy Hotline at (202) 673-6750.
To apply online, visit: http://ddoe.dc.gov http://ddoe.dc.gov/ddoe/cwp/view,a,1209,q,492971.asp (click "Conservation")
To obtain copies of the SBEEP brochure for distribution to local businesses, contact Lance Lonke at 202-359-5959.
________________________________________________________________ BUSINESS PARTICIPATION IN 2007 ECONOMIC CENSUS
Responses due: February 12, 2008 During December 2007, the US Census will send questionnaires 14,000 business owners. The data collected will be used for the 2007 US Economic Census, which will be published in 2009/2010. Business owners' responses are required by February 12, 2008. Please encourage your local business owners to participate in this important survey process. For more information, visit:
http://www.census.gov/econ/census07
________________________________________________________________ UPCOMING BUSINESS CLASSES Manage Your Own Business (In Spanish)
December 12, 2007, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
2316 18th Street, NW
Sponsor: Latino Economic Development Corporation
http://www.ledcdc.org 2007 Procurement Awareness Roundtable and Workshop Series for District Vendors
December 18, 2007, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
441 4th Street, NW, Suite 1100 South
Sponsors: DSLBD and DC Office of Contracting and Procurement
Evelyn Ross, 202-727-0252
www.restoredc.dc.gov (Calendar tab) Certified Business Enterprise (LSDBE) Application Process Office Hours
December 20, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
901 G Street, NW, eBIC at MLK Library
Sponsor: Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD)
Katina Bolden, 202-727-2241
www.restoredc.dc.gov (Calendar tab)
________________________________________________________________ OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MAYOR FOR PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (DMPED) ANNOUNCES FUNDING AVAILABLE FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD INVESTMENT FUND Neighborhood Grants Program DMPED invites the submission of applications for matching grants offered through the Neighborhood Grants Program (NGP) authorized under Resolution 17-433 “Neighborhood Investment Act Spending Plan for Fiscal Year 2008 Emergency Approval Resolution of 2007.” The purpose of these funds is to provide eligible organizations with matching funds to carry out neighborhood based projects in the 12 target areas of the Neighborhood Investment Fund (NIF). The goal of the NGP is to build stronger, healthier, and safer communities by nurturing community relationships through civic action and participation. The Request for Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis from Monday, November 26, 2007 until 4 p.m. on Monday, June 30, 2008 or until grant funds are depleted, whichever comes first. DMPED recommends that you download a copy of the RFA from the DMPED website at www.dcbiz.dc.gov or from the Office of Partnerships and Grants Development website at www.opgd.dc.gov. The RFA will also be available for pick up at 2025 M Street, NW, 6th Floor.
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