How to Open a Storefront Business in Your Neighborhood?

r.e.e.l. has another awesome event for you! How often have you complained about the lack of retail and restaurant amenities in your neighborhood? Have you ever dreamed of opening up your own storefront business? If so, this seminar is for you! Please join the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) and r.e.e.l. Tomorrow Night at the Gateway Pavilion! Be sure to bring a neighbor with you!

Date:        July 8, 2014

Time:        6:30 PM

Location: St. Elizabeth's East Campus - Gateway Pavilion

Looking forward to seeing you there.

 

Thanks,  

r.e.e.l. Board of Directors

Does DHCD Have a Plan? If so, what is it?

Art of War Concept: The general must be first int he toils and fatigues of the army. In the heat of summer he does not spread his parasol, nor in the cold of winter don think clothing... . He waits until the army's wells have been dug and only then drinks; until the army's food is cooked before he eats; until the army's fortifications have been completed, to shelter himself.  
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Don’t know if you noticed, but the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is scooping up a bunch of property in Anacostia. It must be the end of the fiscal year and the government has money to spend.  I suppose the good thing about DHCD is that they will at least keep the grass cut. But the consistent problem is…

1 - do they have a plan on how they will get these properties back on the market for redevelopment?

2 - have they articulated this plan to the neighborhood?

They have owned several properties in the neighborhood for years and have done absolutely nothing with

them. I have a blighted house on my block with a posted DHCD sign that my neighbors tell me has been that way for 20 years. How about we inquire? If you are concerned as I am please copy, paste and send the following email to DHCD.

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Email To: denisel.johnson@dc.gov  or call (202)442-7169 

Dear Ms. Johnson,

My name is INSERT YOUR NAME. I am an involved and concerned resident of Historic Anacostia. I noticed that DHCD has recently acquired several properties in the neighborhood. My neighbors and I would like to know the agency’s redevelopment plan for these properties along with a time lime of execution. We also would like to invite you to our next Historic Anacostia Block Association meeting in September. Please let me know your thoughts and availability.

Regards,

INSERT YOUR NAME

1600 Block of U St - this is one my neighbors told me has been blighted for decades

The corner of 16th and W St SE

The corner of 15th and U St SE

Valley Place that has been blighted for several years

Movies & Music this Summer at the St. E's Pavilion

East of the River Book Festival!

The River East Emerging Leaders and the Historic Anacostia Block Association team up for the East of the River Book Festival!

Broccoli Fest Comes to Congress Heights

Art of War Concept: Thus the energy developed by good fighting men is as the momentum of a round stone rolled down a mountain thousands of feet in height. So much on the subject of energy. 

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Did you by chance hear the loud concert music in the neighborhood this weekend? If so, it came from the Broccoli Fest. On Saturday, concert goers from the DMV verged onto the East Campus of St. Elizabeths for a full day live hip-hop concert. Yup, local artist from Just Blaze to Cam’Ron energized the crowd.  It actually felt a little bit like a Howard Homecoming event.

The Broccoli Fest is more than just music…it’s a cause that promotes health eating, environmental sustainability and the importance of building strong communities – sounds like a great fit for Ward 8. It was a positive event and took advantage of a great facility using the Pavilion. My hope is that one day we can move the Capital Jazz Fest to the St E’s campus or the Anacostia waterfront (hint, hint).

If you missed it hear are some photos below…

Had to been a couple thousand people in attendance

Great time in Congress Heights

The Concert stage...

It felt that Howard Homecoming in Congress Heights

All kinds of vendors

Show City...love the tv commercials

More Vendors

More and more people

Need a bracelet or necklace?

If you paid a little extra you got to watch the concert from the top

Nice touch...green umbrellas

Good seats up top

Nice!

Folks having a good time

There is the West Campus across the street

Party Over Here!

And a Party over There!

Don't come between a man and his broccoli!

Historic Anacostia Block Association Meeting - TONIGHT

Finally, it feels like the warm weather is here to stay. We'd like to encourage everyone to attend the HABA Meeting on this Thursday. As the neighborhood continues to evolve, our goal is to keep you informed and involved in the conversation. We got a solid agenda lined up that includes the following:

Crime: Public safety in our neighborhood is always a major concern. Commander Hoey will attend the meeting to give an update on how we all can work together to improve the quality of life in our community.

7-Eleven: There has been a lot of progress made at the old Anacostia Warehouse Supermarket. We hear 7-Eleven is schedule to open a new store facing Good Hope Road in June. Come get updates from the store representatives as well as updates on additional retail options at the location. We hear Little Caesar's may be coming as well.

Anacostia Business Improvement District (BID): Not sure if you are aware, but Anacostia has a new BID. Come hear what progress has been made to improve the retail prospects of Good Hope Rd and MLK Ave. We will also get an update on the Cedar Hill home development.

Anacostia River: The health of the Anacostia River is a reflection of the health of our community. Come learn about updates on cleaning up the River and how we can get involved.

Good Hope Laundromat & 16^th Street Corner Store: We continue to hear complaints from residents regarding the unkempt appears of these two establishments in our neighborhood. We have invited DCRA to come talk about how we as a community can work with store owners to improve the services in our community. 

When: TONIGHT: Thursday April 10, 2014

Time: 7pm

Where: Anacostia UPO Center - 1649 Good Hope Rd., SE

Anacostia Heritage Trail - Delayed Again

Several years ago the greater Anacostia community began the exciting process to developing the Anacostia Heritage Trail. The trail is a program led by Cultural Tourism DC to highlight the history of DC neighborhoods. I am sure you seen the big signs posted on corners around the city. Well, Anacostia is next up to get our signs.

However, with the fluid circumstances of DC politics there is a chance the installation of our signs will be delayed. This is where we need your help. If you could simply copy and paste the below email to DDOT Director Bill Bellamy it would greatly appreciated. Director Bellamy is expected to resign from his post by the end of the month so it is important we make sure our Heritage Trail signs are on the top of his list for his final task.

We are hoping after the installation of the Anacostia trail, we can begin to get traction on starting the formulation of the Congress Heights Heritage Trail.

SAMPLE EMAIL

SEND TO: terry.bellamy@dc.gov

April 8, 2014

RE: Anacostia Heritage Trail

Mr. Bellamy,

My name is YOUR NAME and I am a resident of Anacostia. It's been over a year since Cultural Tourism DC - and the thirty-five members of the neighborhood working group -  completed work on the Anacostia Heritage Trail and turned it over to DDOT for fabrication and  installation.  Based on experience with previous Heritage Trails, it takes DDOT no more than five months to issue an RFP and to complete fabrication and installation of the signs.  And yet, in the full year that has elapsed since we turned this project over to you, not even the RFP has been issued.

We appreciate the work you have done for the city as Director of DDOT. We ask that before you leave your post please make the issuance of the RFP a top priority of your agency. We thank you for your time and attention.

 We look forward to the quick completion of our Heritage Trail.

 Regards,

YOUR NAME