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| Region Prepares for Snow |
While the Washington area has been spared any snowfall this winter, local governments have been gearing up. City snowplows were on the street this week for a planning exercise and the Council of Governments has unveiled a new regional web portal for emergency weather information, www.capitalregionalupdates.gov, which will combine RSS feeds for press releases from all local governments. For travelers in the District, following the District Department of Transportation on Twitter (@DDOTDC ) is also a good idea. Local governments are also stressing the need for travelers to "get where they need to be before the weather gets bad."
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The Adams Morgan Clean
Team shoveling snow |
In addition, the City Council has a bill to fine property owners who don't shovel the sidewalks in front of their property. Bill 19-0016, the "Winter Sidewalk Safety Act" would fine homeowners $25; businesses that don't shovel would be subject to $250 fines. This bill is being marked up by the Council, so there may be changes. |
| WMATA Release Study on Benefits of Transit |
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What would the Washington region look like without Metro? This is the question that Washington Area Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) planners asked in a recent study about Metro. There is always coverage of the costs of transit, but very little about the benefits. This study attempts to quantify some of those benefits. The executive summary is available here. Some of the findings:
- The premium associated with property near Metrorail stations creates around $200 million in additional property taxes.
- Accommodating all Metro trips on the road system would require a thousand lane miles of highway at a cost of $6 billion.
- Providing parking for all the federal workers who currently take transit to work would cost $2.4 billion.
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 Happy Holidays From the BIDs!
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Wishing you all the best from the DC business improvement districts! Below are some photos of how the BIDs mark this special time of year.
And there is still time for these holiday events:
Downtown Holiday Market: through December 23 at 8th & F Streets NW.
Merriment in Georgetown: Events and giveaways, as well as $2 parking, through December 20th.
The George DIdden Capitol Hill Holiday Tree, snowflakes in the Capitol Riverfront, and the Georgetown tree at the Key Bridge.
Holiday art in NoMa, snowflake light in Downtown.
Santa visits the Mount Vernon Triangle, lighted median in the Golden Triangle.
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| Upcoming Events |
Nighttime Economy Summit
January 19th, 8:30 - 11:30. Sponsored by the BID Council, the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, the Washington DC Economic Partnership, and the DC Nightlife Association. Participants in the Nighttime Economy Summit will discuss the importance of the growing DC nighttime economy and the next steps for facilitating the growth as well as managing the ramifications. For more information, contact Anne-Marie Bairstow, abairstow@dcbidcouncil.org , 202-441-9576.
Cultural Tourism Conference
January 26th, 12:00 - 5:30pm, at the Sumner School. Cultural Tourism DC is holding its inaugural conference and annual meeting to discuss best practices for promoting tourism and attractions in DC, as well as looking forward to the events of 2012. For more information visit www.culturaltourismdc.org.
Cherry Blossom Centennial Festival
March 20 - April 27: Celebrating, the 100 year anniversary of the gift of the cherry trees from Japan, the Cherry Blossom Centennial will have six weeks of activities and events.
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Legislative Update
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Reimbursable Detail and Nightclub Promoters
Councilmember Evans introduced the "Reimbursable Detail Expansion and Promoter Regulation Act," Bill19-137, which would require ABC licensed establishment that stay open after mighnight and have entertainment endorsements to hire reimbursable detail officers. The bill also establishes a licensing system for promoters who typically lease an establishment for an evening event.
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| BID TIDBITS |
Mount Vernon Triangle CID: has produced a new development map showing the two million square feet of new development that has happened over the past six years, as well as upcoming projects.
Golden Triangle BID: has installed public art in the Farragut West Metro station. Designed by artist Michael Enn Sirvet, the 20 illuminated spheres brighten the station entrance.
Downtown DC BID: has a new mobile app to help users navigate Downtown.
NoMa BID: is starting an innovative public realm design process for the First Street NE, the "Main Street" of the NoMa neighborhood.
Capitol Riverfront BID: is having their annual meeting and State of the Capitol Riverfront luncheon on January 12, 2012.
Capitol Hill BID: a new Yes! organic market is going in at 801 Pennsylvania Ave SE.
Georgetown BID: will be getting a new luxury boutique hotel, called Capella Georgetown, on 31st Street NW, south of M Street.
The Adams Morgan Partnership: has hired a public relations firm to help promote Adams Morgan during the streetscape construction.
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