March 27, 2015

Neighborhood News

Give Small Business a Greater Voice - March 31

Meet one-on-one with a lawyer for FREE - April 22

Entrepreneur Road Map: Business Financing - April 1

METRO: Share feedback on proposed budget

#DCISREADY

Think Local First teams up with local students to save businesses money in energy usage

Neighborhood News

1) Update on the Ontario 17 mixed-use building

We learned yesterday that the Ontario 17 condo and retail project at 17th

and Columbia Road, NW should be pretty much complete by June and they hope

to get their certificate of occupany such that the new residents can move

in July. They have sold 25 or 26 of the condo units so far which represents

about 33% of the building. Most of those have been the 1 bedroom units.

There are 9 IZ (inclusionary zoning) units included in the building - 1 two

bedroom,  4 one bedroom and 4 studio apartments.

There is not a retail tenant with a signed lease yet. But there

has been interest from a fitness based company, a beverage based company

and a national retailer.  There could be as many as 5 retail tenants but they

are hoping to attract just one to use the full 9,000 sq. feet.

The covered walkway will be removed this week and the electrical tie-ins

with Pepco are complete. The connection with Washington Gas is also

complete. Next up are the water tie-ins which could result in temporary

water shut offs in the immediate area around the project.  There will be at

least 72 hour notice of any water disruptions.


2) More on the April 6th movie shooting in Adams Morgan

We will be filming a scene in the 2400 block of 18th Street, NW. Most of our
filming will be done inside.  But we do have a brief shot of the two actors
leaving,that will be filmed on the sidewalk. We will be working with the WDC
Officeof Motion Picture & TV Development and Metropolitan Police Depart-
ment.
We will be posting no parking signs on a portion of the east side of 18th
Street NW in front of Tryst.  And we will be temporarily controlling vehicular
& pedestrian traffic on the east side (northbound) lane of 18th Street.  This
disruption will be for a very short duration (1-2 minutes) and only take place
during the actual take.  Traffic will be ultimately controlled by the police
officers, with their added mandate to keep the disruption to a minimum,
and insure that everything is done safely.
HOFFMAN ALLEY (12:00noon-3:00pm)
We will be filming a scene with the same two actors on the sidewalk
adjacent to "Hoffman Alley" and the entrance to the Colonial Parking Lot.
Most of the scene will take place on Champlain Street side of this Alley.  I
have been in communication with both the building manager of the Adams
Loft Condos; and PN Hoffman which owns & manages the Adams Station
building at 2427 18th Street NW.  In addition, I have reached out to the
Little Shop of Flowers.
In addition to the actual filming, we will be parking our equipment trucks in
several different areas in Adams Morgan.  Our talent trailers & wardrobe
truck will be parked on Columbia Road NW, btwn Belmont & Biltmore Streets.
(One consideration which factors in deciding where we park these trailers
are number and size of the trees on the block.)  On the east side of Columbia
Road in this block, is a long clear section-Most of our vehicles will be in that
strip.  In addition, we will park two vehicles on the west side on this block
in the Perry's Valet Parking. These vehicles will moved out of Adams Morgan
long before this valet parking section is posted for starting at 6:30pm.
Some of our working trucks will be parked on the east side of Columbia Road
btwn. 18th Street & Champlain St. NW (in front of the former Mixtec
Restaurant. I will reach out personally between now and our shoot date to
businesses that are in the areas where we will be parking.
Please feel freeto pass my contact information on to anyone that might
have questions, concerns or interest in this filming activity.  I will keep you
in the loop as we move forward.
Sincerely,
Patrick Burn
Location Manager
SACHA
#240-765-5007

3) Spring time reminder about keeping the alleys clean/

rat abatement walk throughs begin again on April 10th

Please remind your distributors to not leave wooden pallets in the alley.

The alley is getting full of them again.Thanks from our clean team!

The monthly Rat Abatement walk throughs with the Department of Health

begin again on April 10th at 11am. If you are interested in joining us, please

call Kristen at 202-997-0783 the day before for the meeting location.

4) Farmer's Market returns June 6th

The Farmer's Market in the SunTrust Plaza begins again on Saturday,

June 6, 2015 from 8:00am - 1:00pm and will be there every Saturday until

December 19th.

This is their 43rd year of bringing a variety of veggies and fruits down

to the Adams Morgan Farmers Market from the Licking Creek Bend Farm.

Their vegetables and fruits are grown to organic standards and are

certified. They also provide some fruit from a local orchard that are IPM

raised (very low pesticide use).

They ALSO OFFER A CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) in 4 sessions:

June - July; August - September; October; and November.  The cost is

$37.50/week (early bird before April 11 sign up $43.50/wk after).  They

accept WIC, Senior and Snap coupons and food stamps.

CSAs can be picked at the Adams Morgan Farmers Market

Saturdays, 9:00am – 1:00pm

For more information on the CSA, the farm and the May 31 Farm Visit Day

and directions email Esther at: esiegel2@igc.org

www.lickingcreekbendfarm.com

Esther Siegel wanted to share this video link below which they filmed mostly

at the market. They have shown it at two regional farmers conferences and

it was well received.  So the Adams Morgan Farmers market got some good

regional publicity!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCrTW9DXeIg&feature=em-upload

_owner

5) IMPORTANT: Two changes to DC laws that will affect your business

1) Do you know about DC’s Commuter Benefits Ordinance ? As part of a larger Sustainability Act, the Commuter Benefits Ordinance requires businesses with over 20 employees located in Washington, DC to offer commuter transit benefits to their employees .

By January 1, 2016, employers with over 20 employees will be required to provide one of three commuter benefit options. View the full text of the ordinance ( PDF ) and visit our new Commuter Benefits page for details on each benefit option. We also created a quick and easy to follow 1 page flyer to share with your HR and/or benefits team.

goDCgo’s Employer Services program is designed to work with you every step of the way and make offering commuter benefits easier than ever. Work one-on-one with a goDCgo consultant to learn how the Ordinance benefits both you and your employees. Contact us today: info@godcgo.com

GoDCgo’s upcoming webinar (April 16) on pre-tax commuter benefits:

http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=e9ace804f4a957d3c2a85f1c6&id=3ed2aa3e14&e=ca90992458

2) As you know, the Office of Human Rights (OHR) is the DC government agency that enforces non-discrimination law in the District,  and in December, OHR took on enforcement authority for a new law – the Fair Criminal Record Screening Amendment Act – that prohibits employers in the District from making any inquiry into an applicant’s criminal background prior to extending the candidate a conditional offer of employment.

As with any new law, we understand that there may be questions around certain parameters and terms, which we welcome you to ask. As a starting point, I have attached an employer-specific factsheet that provides a basic outline of the law and responsibilities of employers in English and Spanish. We also have additional videos and other materials available on our website here: http://ohr.dc.gov/page/returningcitizens/employers

If you have any questions about any of these laws or the obligations of businesses in the District therein, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Thank you,

Stephanie Franklin

Policy & Communications Officer

District of Columbia Office of Human Rights

441 4th Street, N.W., Suite 570N

Washington, D.C.  20001

Main: 202.727.4559

Direct: 202.727.1145

Cell: 202.679.5785

Fax: 202.727.9589

ohr.dc.gov

facebook.com/DCOHR

twitter.com/dchumanrights

instagram.com/dchumanrights

Give Small Business a Greater Voice - March 31 meeting!


The co-chairs of the Small Business Policy Project (SBPP) are calling on small businesses and BIDs, Main Streets and business associations to work together to elevate the issues impacting small business in the District.

For starters, let's work together to ensure the recommended strategies to streamline DCRA are implemented and an advocate or ombudsman is positioned within DC government to look out for small business.

Join us on Tuesday, March 31 from 2:00 - 3:30 pm if you want to play an active role in helping to further improve the environment for small business at the next Give Small Business a Greater Voice meeting. The meeting will be held at the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED) located at 1432 U Street NW, 1st Floor Annex.

Please RSVP to let us know if you plan to attend the meeting on the March 31st - RSVP HERE .

If you have any questions, contact us via email at CNHEDSmallBusiness@gmail.com or call Gabriela Mossi at (202) 728-0352 or Evette Banfield at (202) 745-0902 x203.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you on March 31!

Sincerely,
SBPP Greater Voice Working Group Co-Chairs

Diana Meyer, Citi Community Development
Gabriela Mossi, Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Margaret Singleton, DC Chamber of Commerce

On behalf of the Small Business Policy Project Steering Committee Small Business Policy Project Steering Committee Members Nizam Ali , Co-Owner, Ben’s Chili Bowl Ted Archer, Chief of Staff, DC Department of Small and Local Business Development Bridget Bean , Chief Human Capital Officer and Deputy Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Small Business Administration Marla Bilonick , Executive Director, Latino Economic Development Center Luc Brami , Principal, Gelberg Signs Darrell Brown , Executive Director, DC Small Business Development Center Polly Donaldson , Director, DC Department of Housing and Community Development Samira Cook-Gaines , Chief Civil Rights and Economic Empowerment, National Community Reinvestment Coalition Tim Flanagan , Executive Director, Washington Area Community Investment Fund Angela Franco , President & CEO, Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Stephen Glaude , Executive Director, Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development Ana Harvey , Director, DC Department of Small and Local Business Development Stanley Jackson , President & CEO, Anacostia Economic Development Corporation Bo Menkiti , Founder and CEO, Menkiti Group Diana Meyer , Metro Washington Marketplace Manager, Citi Community Development Doug Meyers , Owner, Modern Mobler  Vintage Furnishings Tendani Mpulubusi El , Media Consultant Keith Sellars , President & CEO, Washington DC Economic Partnership Margaret Singleton , Vice President & Executive Director, DC Chamber of Commerce Foundation Bill Thomas , Owner, Jack Rose Saloon

Meet one-on-one with a lawyer for FREE - April 22

If you are an existing or an aspiring small business owner, come and meet one-on-one with attorneys at the Small Business Brief Advice Legal Clinic sponsored by the DC Bar Pro Bono Program. At this clinic you can get information on business formation, contracts, leases, taxes or any other questions you may have related to small business legal issues. Or, if you do not have specific questions, come and tell the attorneys about your business—they can help you spot legal issues or give you general advice.

Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Time: 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Location: 1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor (E-200), Washington, DC 20024

To Register: http://bizdc.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceDetail.action?ID=39450

Or call us at (202) 442-8435 if you need assistance in registering.

Claudia Herrera

Program Support Specialist

Small Business Resource Center

Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs

1100 4th Street, SW 2nd Floor (E-268)

Washington, DC 20024

Phone: (202) 442-8055

Fax: (202) 442-4523

Website: www.dcra.dc.gov

Entrepreneur Road Map: Business Financing - April 1

Financing can be a significant obstacle for entrepreneurs looking to start a business or expand an existing enterprise. On Wednesday, April 1, join the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Washington, DC Economic Partnership to learn how to overcome obstacles and secure financing for your next great idea.

The expert panel will include Jamila Braithwaite, Business Banker, Capital One; Ian Lawrence, Director of Lending, Washington Area Community Investment Fund; and Rigoberto Luis, Loan Officer/Technical Advisor, ECDC Enterprise Development Group (EDG).

When: Wednesday, April 1, 2015 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (EDT)

Where: Venable, LLP, 575 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004

Register: For additional information and to register please use the following link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/entrepreneur-road-map-l-business-financing-tickets-15951688931

Reasonable accommodations will be provided to those who make a request. For more information, please contact Trevor Gurgick, Small Business Development Fellow, at (202) 661-8688 or via email at TGurgick@wdcep.com .

About Entrepreneur Road Map's Monthly Speaker Series

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.

METRO: Share feedback on proposed budget

Metro is inviting the public to share feedback on the proposed FY16 budget, as well as Metro's Capital Improvement Program. Public input is an important part of the process, and all feedback will be taken into consideration by the Metro Board before finalizing the budget. There are no cuts in service or fare increases proposed. The proposed FY16 budget and Capital Improvement Plan would invest $1.3 billion in providing safer, better, and more service for Metro riders.

The budget proposal does not include fare increases or significant service cuts. The items that are being considered are as follows:

·         Increase the parking fee at Minnesota Ave Station to $4.60.

·         Extend the collection hours at all Metro parking facilities by one hour in both the morning and evening.

·         Eliminate the TransitLink Card (TLC) pass, one of Metrorail’s few remaining paper fare products.

For more information about the budget and these proposed items, visit wmata.com/budget .

We need to hear from you and tell Metro how these proposals would affect your daily travel needs:

· Take an online survey. Complete the survey to provide your feedback before 9 a.m. on Monday, April 13, 2015.

· Send an email. Submit written comments before 9:00 a.m. on Monday, April 13, 2015 by emailing writtentestimony@wmata.com.

· Attend the public hearing Tuesday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m. (Information session at 6:00 p.m.)

Metro Headquarters - Jackson Graham Building

600 5th St NW

Washington DC 20001

Take Metrorail: Gallery Place and Judiciary Square

Take Metrobus: 70, 74, 79, 80, D6, P6, X2, X9

Please forward this information along to others who may be interested in so that they may plan appropriately. You can learn more in the posted press release , and you can learn more about the budget docket at wmata.com/budget .

#DCISREADY

We are excited about the bid the Washington Nationals have submitted to host a future Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Game. We’re working with the Nats to help spread the word to our members that DC is ready!

Now, we’re reaching out to you for your help. Please share with your employees and patrons that there’s no better place to host an All-Star Game than in the nation’s capital. Let’s all make this bid solid and show to MLB and the rest of the country that #DCisREADY!

The Nationals urge you to share why you and your business think #DCisREADY, and to post the following messages to your social media accounts between now and Opening Day:

  1. #DCisReady to host an @MLB All-Star Game!
  2. 1969: The last time #DC hosted an @MLB All-Star Game. #DCisReady
  3. With an all-star #Nats lineup this year, #DCisReady to host an @MLB All-Star Game.

A nearly week-long All-Star experience includes a downtown FanFest, celebrity softball games, the Home Run Derby, and the All-Star Game itself.

Taking place in the heart of summer, we expect the game to bring families from all over to discover the city’s museums, restaurants, bars, shopping, hotels and historic sites.

Let’s show Commissioner Manfred, who will be in attendance on Opening Day, our city’s spirit and enthusiasm, and tell him there is no better place than the nation’s capital to celebrate the national pastime.

Think Local First teams up with local students to help businesses save money on energy usage

Everyday is Earth Day, Right?

We think so. And so does Think Local First! They are kicking off their first-ever student led campaign to save small and local DC businesses money on energy. Power to Save provides businesses with simple, easy ways to immediately reduce their energy costs and enhance their sustainability.

Think Local First partnered with two TLF members, the energy-focused organizations Nextility and the Green Impact Campaign, to create an energy assessment competition. Student groups from five DC universities - American University, Georgetown, George Washington University, Howard University and Catholic University -  are competing to do as many assessments as possible between now and Earth Day, April 22nd.

The thirty-minute assessments are free to small and local businesses and include both an energy-efficiency survey and utility bill checkup. Participating businesses will receive custom efficiency recommendations as well as options to quickly lower their energy costs through local incentives and utility rate reductions.

Email nina@thinklocalfirstdc.com if you are interested in signing up your business today!