Neighborhood News

SBA Workshop - Setting Up Shop in DC - February 25th

Getting Ready for the Cherry Blossom Festival - March 20-27

GWHCC's 6th Annual Business Expo - March 24th.

DDOT- Second Proposed Rulemaking for Sign Regulations

DC Office of Planning - Adams Morgan Vision - Community Meeting February 28th

SBA Workshop - Setting Up Shop in DC - February 25th

Learn how to get your business registered and about the proper licenses you will need to operate in the District of Columbia.

February's Entrepreneur Road Map Monthly Speaker Series features speakers from the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), DC Department of Health Regulation and Administration, and the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration.

From launching a private practice to opening a new restaurant, each agency will provide guidance on what you need to get licensed and registered to operate your business in the District.

Featured speakers are Melinda Bolling, Interim Director, Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) and Karen Jackson, Licensing Specialist, Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA)

Melinda will discuss how to register your business and get a professional license at DCRA and Karen will review how to apply and obtain a license to serve alcohol in DC.

When: Wednesday, February 25th, 2015

Where: Venable, LLP, 575 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC

For more information and to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/entrepreneur-road-map-l-registration-and-licensing-tickets-15729075087

Reasonable accommodations for the disabled will be provided to those who make a request in advance. For more information, contact Washington DC Economic Partnership's Daour Diawara at 202.661.8673 or ddiawara@wdcep.com

This workshop is part of the Entrepreneur Road Map Series; a cosponsored initiative between Washington DC Economic Partnership and the U.S. Small Business Administration that is aimed at guiding business owners on the intricacies of doing business in the District of Columbia. Attendees will gain access to some of the city’s top thought-leaders and have the opportunity to network with panelists and other attendees.

Cosponsorship Authorization 15-0353-11, SBA’s participation in this cosponsored activity is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products, or services of any cosponsor or other person or entity. All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.

Getting Ready for the Cherry Blossom Festival - March 20-27, 2015

City in Bloom Overview

The award-winning City in Bloom campaign is an opportunity for businesses, organizations, and individuals to join the National Cherry Blossom Festival and welcome spring across the country, bringing the spirit of the Tidal Basin into the neighborhoods of Washington, DC. Special lighting and decals will visually unify the region over 1.5 million people during the festival, March 20 through April 12, 2015. Designated lighting nights are March 20 through March 27, 2015.

Exceptional collaboration is needed to create City in Bloom. Your participation will help showcase the nation’s greatest spring time celebration and align it with brand of Washington, DC. Driving downtown, walking through the airport, or arriving at the train station, residents and tourists alike will know the city is in bloom.

The third annual City in Bloom in 2014 was a resounding success, infusing the region with Festival spirit beyond the blooms. Once again, the campaign and its participants garnered significant media attention. The campaign was endorsed by prominent members of the regional tourism and hospitality industries including Destination DC, the DC Taxicab Commission, the Hotel Association of Washington, DC. Leadership Greater Washington, and Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington.

Participation in City in Bloom can be customized to fit your needs:

·         Illuminate the skyline in pink

·         Project blossoms on building with gobos

·         Use pink string lights to adorn your sidewalk

·         Use blossom decals on storefronts, walls, vehicles, laptops, windows, and more

·         Showcase participation on websites and social media channels

·         Outfit employees with the annual Lapel Pin.

City in Bloom will be widely promoted through Festival Marketing and public relations efforts including but not limited to:

·         Press Materials

·         Articles in Commemorative Program

·         Social Media Channels

·         Festival App

·         Website

·         Location Identifier Map

To learn more and purchase, please visit:

Nationalcherryblossom.org/cityinbloom

If there is a lot of interest from Adams Morgan businesses we could put in a bulk order for some items and get a discounted price. Please let Kristen know at kbarden@adamsmorganonline.org

GWHCC 6th Annual Expo - March 24th

We are two months away from a very popular event in the region, the GWHCC's 6th Annual Business Expo!

This year they are anticipating over 2,000 attendees, 160 exhibitors, and key new features to grow your business!

As you know, the AMPBID has paid for shared booth space for our members in the past and we would be happy to do that again.

Take advantage of this benefit and reserve your booth today! Please let us know by February 27th if you would like to share a booth with other Adams Morgan businesses. We will pay for up to 3 booths for 6 businesses to share. Contact Kristen at kbarden@adamsmorganonline.org .

For more information on the Expo visit www.gwhcc.org/expo or contact Alma Alfaro at aalfarolaska@gwhcc.org or 202-728-0352.

DDOT - Second Proposed Rulemaking for Sign Regulations

DDOT Announces the Second Proposed Rulemaking for Sign Regulations

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) today announced the publication of revised proposed rules to regulate the display of outdoor signs and exterior advertising within the District of Columbia.

The proposed new Title 13 would update and consolidate the District’s current sign regulations into a single title, removing the bulk of these provisions from the Building Code and scattered sections of the DCMR.  It would clarify provisions relating to approval of Special Signs and billboards; amend the current rules to respond to issues raised by the Federal Highway Administration; create new Designated Entertainment Areas that would be open to the display of new signs; clarify the existing regulations as they relate to signs on public space, private property, and specific areas of the District; establish a means for enforcement; and establish a permit application fee schedule.

This second proposed rulemaking reflects changes made in response to comments received from the public after the first publication of this rulemaking.

The proposed regulations may be reviewed and comments submitted at:

http://dcregs.dc.gov/Gateway/NoticeHome.aspx?noticeid=5312901

Written comments are invited during the 90 day comment period and should be submitted to: publicspace.policy@dc.gov .

Visit goDCgo.com for more information on transportation options in the District.

DC Office of Planning - Adams Morgan Vision Framework Planning Initiative - February 28th meeting

DC Office of Planning: Adams Morgan Vision Framework Planning Initiative

The DC Office of Planning asked us to remind people about the community workshop on February 28th. If you are unable to attend but would like to submit your ideas, please visit the project’s online public engagement page ( adamsmorganvision.mindmixer.com ) and promote it to others.

The Office of Planning has initiated the Adams Morgan Vision Framework, a visioning process that will build upon previous planning studies to define a vision as well as recommendations for Adams Morgan. This planning initiative will provide an opportunity for residents, local businesses, institutions, and property owners to collectively articulate a vision for the future of Adams Morgan and identify opportunities to preserve physical characteristics, enhance amenities, support sustainability, and improve quality of life for the community.

The community and stakeholders are invited to a half-day, community workshop on Saturday, February 28th, from 9am – 12pm, at Marie Reed Elementary School, where stakeholders will be encouraged to share their perspectives on Adams Morgan’s future.

If you have questions about this planning initiative please do not hesitate to contact Josh Silver.

Joshua Silver, LEED GA

Community Planner Ward 1 ¦ Neighborhood Planning

D.C. Office of Planning

1100 4th Street SW, Suite E-650
Washington, DC  20024

202-442-8816

joshua.silver@dc.gov