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PROGRAM SUMMARY

April Program Summary:
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN DC?
Neil Albert and Staff Speak

Speakers:

  • Neil Albert, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
  • Genevieve Hansen, Project Manager, DMPED
  • Eric Scott, Program Manager, DMPED

Neil Albert opened the luncheon with an honest but optimistic outlook for the remainder of 2009 and the FY 2010 here in Washington DC. While DC is by no means exempt from the challenges that all US cities are facing in the struggling economy, Albert believes the district is weathering the downturn well with good leadership, good location, and great management. FY 2010 will prove particularly challenging because of declining revenue from commercial and residential sectors, but Albert and his team are planning long term, as well as short term. Their goal is save money throughout all agencies today to plan for tomorrow, aggressively seek out stimulus funds and grants, invest in infrastructure that will prove to be rewarding in the long run, and continue their solid partnerships with the private sector. In addition, DC Government is pledging to make allowances wherever possible for organizations that need time, or help, on projects. The deputy mayor also mentioned that he and his team are deeply invested in marketing the city, assisting the private sector in finding tenants, and increasing incentives wherever possible. These initiatives include gap financing, term negotiation, and additional loans where possible. Neil Albert turned the discussion over to Genevieve Hansen, his project manager, for further detail about specific projects taking place. These include:

5201 Hayes Street Street, NE

  • Formerly a trash transfer station
  • Located in Lincoln Heights
  • Plans for up to 232 new housing units including townhomes and condominiums, as well as retail, mixed use, and community space
  • Phase 2 is complete, demolition pending
  • Solicitations will be due July 6th and a developer will be chosen in August, 2009

6925 Georgia Avenue

  • Site is located next to Walter Reed
  • Mixed use
  • Solicitations due in late April/Early May
  • Groundbreaking goal is summer 2010

West End Library

  • Currently a library, special operations police department, and a fire department
  • The library will remain, and the rest of the development will be mixed use
  • Solicitations due in May
  • Developer likely chosen in July
  • Groundbreaking around one year later

Justice Park

  • Located in Columbia Heights, Justice Park is a problem area for drugs and prostitution
  • Government envisions a mixed use project with a new park
  • This project will be 100% new construction
  • Solicitations are due in May
  • Developer will be selected in September
  • Groundbreaking a year later

St. Elizabeth's – East Campus

  • Historic site and project will include a great deal of preservation initiatives
  • DC is coordinating with Homeland Security and GSA to create a place where collaboration between federal and municipal government can occur.
  • New development will include a new hospital, art, work-life space, and many “green” components
  • The existing functions on the site will be consolidated to two buildings and the rest of the project will be redeveloped
  • Solicitations will be due this summer
  • A developer will be chosen by Y/E
  • The project may be awarded and developed in different segments and to different organizations

To warp up the presentation, Eric Scott offered several tips on how to develop a partnership with the government with regards to planning and development. He advised prospective partners to do their due diligence and read each website and webpage regarding procurement, contracts, and awarding jobs, and becoming certified. There is a competitive BID process for each project and certain “benches” are established for each part of a project. The government uses the organizations on these lists for certain solicitations. Each year, the benches are opened up for new members to join and it is during this process that new organizations have the best opportunity for partnership. He encouraged firms to call the office for more information and opportunities.

Please click here to view the slide presentation for this event. (Powerpoint)

 

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