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Access to Capital, Woodies Building, Funding for Artists, DCRA Recruiting, Help Prevent Litter
1. Eleanor Holmes Norton's Access to Capital Fair Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton will host an "Access to Capital Fair" from 8 am to 4 pm at Washington Convention Center (801 Mount Vernon Place, NW) for DC residents and DC small businesses. The Fair responds to the two issues that Congresswoman Norton hears most often-the inability to gain access to sufficient capital and the problems associated with access to Federal government procurement opportunities. The fair will teach small businesses how to get commercial business loans rather than consumer loans for their business. Businesses may apply for some loans on the spot at the fair from banks and gain information on financial assistance programs available through the US Small Business Administration. Business owners will learn how to get on the GSA Schedule for Government Procurement, an opportunity that makes them automatically eligible for work without bidding for work against competitors. Business owners can learn about other valuable finance-related opportunities, such as how to purchase the space currently being rented. One-on-one advice and technical assistance from Federal government contracting officers, bank loan officers, and US Small Business Administration specialists will also be available. Last year, 33 exhibitors participated in the fair. On-site registration is available. If you have any questions, please contact Dionne Johnson or Sheila Bunn at (202) 783-5065. Visit Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton's webpage.
2. DC Attracts Major Retailer for Woodies Building Mayor Anthony A. Williams announced that West Elm, a member of the Williams-Sonoma family, has signed a lease to take 37,000 square feet in the historic Woodies Building on G Street, NW. With 14 stores across the country, the newest retailer to enter the downtown DC market will be the largest store in the chain and will carry the complete line of West Elm home furnishing products. Customers will be able to walk in, shop and walk out with their purchases-whether it be furniture, accessories, or gifts for the home. "We've turned a downtown desert into an economic oasis-an oasis that has yielded more than $40 billion in economic growth," said Mayor Williams. "That growth includes 240 retail projects, 240 office projects, nearly 140 hospitality and entertainment projects and a real estate investment market that is consistently ranked number one in the country. All of this new construction benefits District residents by generating millions of dollars a year in new revenues and turning our city into a vibrant exciting place to be. We're now a magnet for developers, investors and unique retailers like West Elm. The historic nature of the Woodies building and the hip design of this store reflect the new Washington retail environment." West Elm will receive $4.9 million through the Downtown Retail Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Program. The program values retailers that bring unique attributes to the downtown retail mix by offering partial subsidy for retailers to locate in space along F and G, 11th and 7th Streets, NW. The program uses future taxes generated by the retailer to pay for a portion of the build-out costs. As part of its commitment to revitalize the space, West Elm has committed that 51 percent of its employees be District residents. The Downtown Retail Program is administered by Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Stan Jackson. Determinations of eligibility and recommendations to the Deputy Mayor on the size of the award are made by the Downtown Retail Committee. Members of the Downtown Retail Committee are appointed by Mayor Williams and include Charles "Sandy" Wilkes, the Wilkes Company; Deborah Yogodzinski, partner Nixon Peabody LLP and co-chair of the DCBIA Retail Committee; Ron Kaplan, CityStreet Properties; and Michael Stevens, former President and CEO of the DC Economic Partnership and staff from the Office of the Deputy Mayor. Douglas Jemal, president of Douglas Development Corporation, purchased the Historic Woodies Building in 1998. Since that time, Douglas Development has been working to retrofit the building and has been instrumental in helping to reinvigorate downtown retail by leasing to tenants such as H&M and now West Elm. This landmark building, which has been a piece of Washington, DC history since 1880, underwent the highest level of historic preservation, restoring it to its original beauty. Visit Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.
3. East of the River Resource Workshop for Artists The DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities (DCCAH) and its East of the River Arts Initiative is committed to investing in the cultural and artistic growth and development of artists and arts organizations that are active in communities east of the Anacostia River. It assists arts organizations east of the river through a grant program intended to strengthen organizational structures, develop audiences, and increasing arts presentations. This year, an arts resource workshop is being produced in order to further support organizational sustainability east of the river. The workshop will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2006 from 12 pm to 2 pm. The workshop will feature speakers from various service agencies and resources will be available for artists and organizations East of the River. The event is open to artists, arts organizations, social service agencies, community organizations and those interested in learning more about arts funding. The workshop will be held at ARCH Training Center at 1227 Good Hope Road, SE. The afternoon will begin with a panel of funding sources/organizations, followed by an introduction to the Commission's East of the River grant program and will commence with an open forum which will provide an opportunity for participants to network with the featured presenters. The DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities will serve as the primary coordinator for the event and partner with the workshop's host, ARCH Training Center. Visit DCCAH. For workshop information, email Tania Tam or call (202) 724-5613. For directions, visit the ARCH website or call (202) 889-5000.  
4. DCRA Focuses Recruiting Drive on Candidates with Technical Skills The District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) actively seeks well-qualified and highly motivated professionals to fill key positions within the agency. Available positions offer great professional growth potential and competitive compensation. Bilingual and multi-lingual individuals are encouraged to apply. DCRA protects the health, safety, economic interests, and quality of life of residents, businesses, and visitors in the District of Columbia by issuing licenses and permits, conducting inspections, enforcing building, housing, and safety codes, regulating land use and development, and providing consumer education and advocacy services. DCRA is recruiting for positions listed below. Select the links for brief descriptions. Go to DCOP's job listings to view more detailed descriptions and/or apply.
Download DCRA's Vacancy Hotlist* for the week of April 17th.
5. Let DPW Know What You Think Could Prevent Litter in DC The District spends millions of dollars sweeping city streets every year and collects thousands of tons of trash from DC's 4,300 public litter cans. Additionally, hundreds of volunteers devote dozens of hours to organize community cleanups in neighborhoods across the city. Furthermore, District law requires property owners to sweep or keep clean the area in front of their homes or businesses, from the curb line out 18 inches into the roadway. Yet, keeping litter under control and off city streets is still an annual struggle. But the District is not alone in its fight against litter; other cities and states also work hard to keep their sidewalks, streets and highways clean. New Jersey, for example, commissioned a survey to tell public officials where litter was coming from, who was doing the littering, and how to reduce and stop littering in their state. Feel free to read the 2004 New Jersey Litter Survey in full, or just the executive summary. Then tell us what you think about their findings. Let us know if you think a similar approach could work in DC. Do you think advertising can change people's behavior? What other suggestions would you make to address the problem of litter? Email DPW to voice your opinion.
Submit Feedback to brc@dc.gov
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