Mayor’s FY2014 Budget Town Hall Meeting
Tomorrow evening, Mayor Vincent Gray will visit Ward 5 to get feedback from the community on the FY2014 budget. Come out and support an investment in Ward 5! Many of you wrote to the Mayor in support of increased funding for RIA projects, such as grants for new and existing businesses, as well as funding for streetscape and infrastructure improvements. While the current draft of the budget includes money for the various Retail Priority Areas in the District (RIA is one of these), and for money to be allocated to DDOT for streetscape improvements, the language of the budget seems very vague with regards to RIA. We’d like to impress upon the Mayor the need for some clarification and investment in Ward 5. If we want our small businesses to thrive, and if we want more jobs to be created right here in our community, we need Mayor Gray and the DC Council to make a commitment to economic development investment in Ward 5. Hope to see you tomorrow – 6:30 – 8:30 pm, at the Luke Moore...
Read MoreRIA-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 MoreBig News for Ward 5 Coffee Lovers!
Ready for some caffeine-infused happiness? FoRIA is excited to welcome Zeke’s Coffee of DC to their future home at 2300 RIA-NE! The small batch roastery is a favorite at many farmers markets and retailers across the region. Owner and DC resident, John Kepner, says they will be roasting and serving a wide selection of coffees at the in-house “coffee lab.” And yes, outdoor seating is in the plans! A summer grand opening is in the works so stay tuned. Also, be sure to check out their website – www.zekescoffeedc.com – to see some of their coffee selections, plus a rendering of their facade...
Read MoreFoRIA Committees – Great Neighbors Making the Difference
FoRIA Committees are off to a great start! Three different committees have formed, and are all meeting to tackle projects intended to boost the visibility and economic opportunities along our Rhode Island Avenue NE corridor. In case you missed a meeting, here’s what’s happening: Promotions and Community Outreach Two words: Fall Fest! That’s right – it’s the first day of Spring, and we’re already kicking in to gear to plan the 2013 Fall Fest. Get involved now to help us make this coming year’s festival bigger and better! But don’t think that’s all the Promotions and Community Outreach team is about… we’re working on a printed newsletter, and we’re actively seeking out smart neighbors with journalistic talents/dreams to help us craft the best possible product. Sound interesting to you? Let us know! Business and Economic Development Monday night’s meeting was all about crafting a plan to support our long-standing local businesses, and FoRIA’s advocacy campaign to push for funding that will benefit current and future RIA businesses. Starting later this week, we’ll be pounding the pavement and going door to door to meet RIA-NE business owners, and find out what resources they need to thrive on the Avenue. We’ll also be encouraging business owners to contact the Mayor and all the DC Councilmembers, and to encourage our city leaders to show some $$ love for RIA-NE in the FY2014 budget. Got some ideas for building a strong economy on RIA? Want to see more job and career choices here in the neighborhood for our talented young men and women? Get involved now! Design What a great group of creative and knowledgeable neighbors we have here in Ward 5! The ideas were flying fast and furious in last night’s meeting. We’ll be working on creating a “brand” for the RIA corridor – one that will embrace the unique personalities of each of the neighborhoods lining RIA, will honor the area’s history, and will embrace the Avenue’s future. It’s a project that is no small undertaking, and will involve tremendous amounts of public input. And streetscape improvements? You bet. Stay tuned, because the Design Committee will be taking a tour of the Avenue to note areas that could use some polishing. We’ll be looking at lighting, tree boxes, and sidewalk conditions. We’ll also make note of places where planters or art projects would make the perfect accent. Bring your ideas and get involved...
Read MoremoveDC Public Workshops
moveDC Update – Important Dates and Opportunities to Get Involved moveDC is coming to a location near you. Throughout 2013, they will hold three rounds of public workshops to talk with you about your commute and transportation’s role in building a more prosperous, sustainable, competitive, and vital city. Additionally, the public is invited to attend Transportation Planning Advisory Committee (TPAC) Meetings. All public workshops and meetings offer an opportunity for you to learn more and to share your ideas and insight. Learn more about these meetings at: www.wemovedc.org 1. moveDC Ideas that Build – Public Workshops Scheduled for March 2013 Attend a workshop to find out what moveDC heard during the February Idea Exchange and to participate in fun a and interactive activities. Each location will follow the same agenda. 2. moveDC Ideas that Build – Web Meeting Scheduled April 9, 2013 If you are unable to attend one of the public workshops in March, DDOT will host a one-hour web meeting. This online meeting is a companion to the four moveDC (Ideas that Build) workshops they are holding in March 2013. When: Tuesday April 9, 2013, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Register Now: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1829219361024494080 3. moveDC Transportation Plan Advisory Committee Meeting (TPAC) April 9, 2013 The TPAC is charged with acting in an advisory role to the project team throughout the plan development process. All TPAC meetings are open to the public. Each meeting’s agenda will be structured to offer time for presentation and sharing of information, discussion by the TPAC and questions and discussion with the public. When: Tuesday, April 9, 2013, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Where: National Capital Planning Commission Chambers, 401 9th Street, NW, Suite 500 (North Lobby), Washington DC 20004...
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