The Washington Center’s Student Housing Facility Tops Out

The Washington Center (TWC) has topped out construction of its new 90,000 square foot, 95-unit housing facility at 3rd and K Streets in NoMa, celebrating with a topping-out party on August 5th. Slated for completion in August of 2010, this $38 million project is being built by Paradigm Development Company of Arlington, VA. It will serve as a centralized mini-campus for college students participating in the TWC's prestigious internship programs. The 345-bed building will house 80 percent of TWC's students each semester – some 1,200 per year. Each living unit will include a shared kitchen, living room, and washer/dryer, plus bedrooms for several students and high-speed Internet access. On the lower level, students will be able to meet in common areas to collaborate on projects and socialize. TWC’s building is located directly across Third Street from Union Place, a residential complex currently under development by Cohen Companies, and just one block from another residential development, Senate Square and Landmark Lofts.

111 K Street Tops Out

111 K Street, the 90,000 square foot office condo building located at the corner of First and K Streets, NE has also topped out. The building, being developed by J Street Companies, will be home to the Sierra Club, the YWCA, and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. With only a few floors left unsold, 111 K Street is a much-anticipated addition to NoMa’s First Street corridor.

Courtyard by Marriott off to a Great Start

The new Courtyard by Marriott US Capitol located next to the New York Avenue Metro station is reporting great results during its first few months of operation. With occupancy rates around 75%, the hotel has been attracting a range of corporate, government, and leisure guests. Rates for hotel rooms have been ranging from the $100’s to over $200 per night, depending on availability and demand. With an indoor pool, bistro, state-of-the-art business centers and more, it is no surprise that the Courtyard by Marriott is thriving and is helping to transform NoMa into one of the city’s most viable mixed-use neighborhoods.

Film Festival Success

The NoMa Summer Screen outdoor film festival has come to a close after a great summer season. The event, which took place every Wednesday through June and July, attracted roughly 250 visitors each week. Once the June rain subsided, the crowd filled up the site provided by The Cohen Companies adjacent to the Union Place, NoMa’s first residential project, delivering later this year. The event kicked off with great music by DJ Fatback and delicious BBQ by Smokin’ Somethin’ BBQ and included giveaways from local businesses including the grand prize of one night stay at the Courtyard by Marriott. Special thanks to The Cohen Companies for providing a great location to enjoy movies under the stars.

New York/Florida Avenue Virtual Circle

The NoMa Business Improvement District, through a TLC Technical Assistance Grant administered by the Washington Council of Governments, retained an urban design firm to explore design options for developing a more positive and welcoming gateway at the intersection of New York and Florida Avenues. The gateway will create a vibrant welcoming and green public realm, and will enhance the safety of pedestrians and drivers alike. The design concept employs the consistent use of elements of color, landscape treatment, streetscape design, public art, special lighting and signage to achieve a place that can engender civic pride. To the right are renderings of what the circle looks like now and a preliminary design for its future.

Pound Coffee Expands Lunch Offerings

Pound Coffee, located across from the new Courtyard by Marriott Hotel and the New York Avenue Metro Station entrance, is now offering an extended lunch menu. “Rice and Spice,” available Tuesdays through Fridays, features a variety of curry dishes with shrimp, chicken, and vegetarian options. Come and check out these delicious new lunch offerings in NoMa, available Tuesday-Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

1st on First Art and Music Walk

The North Capitol Main Street, Inc. First on 1st Art + Music Walk was a tremendous success on Saturday, August 1st. attracting approximately 300 local residents, as well as visitors from outside the local neighborhood. The event included live music and comedy at both Window’s Café and Big Bear Café. Visitors came out between the hours of Noon and 5PM Saturday and received art tour maps provided by The Pink Line Project. The maps included a directory of businesses in the NCMS corridor and an art hunt (scavenger hunt) in which participants located answers to questions pertaining to the local businesses and displayed art on 1st Street, which started at 87 Florida Avenue and concluded at Window’s Cafe. Upon completing the hunt, participants received a free drink from either Big Bear Café or Window’s Café. Also, visitors participated in a wine tasting event at Bloomingdale Wine and Spirits on 1st and Rhode Island Avenue. Overall, the First on 1st Art + Music Walk made history and excited the local community.

Call Box Makeover

Thanks to a grant received by the Capitol Hill North Neighborhood Association , a call box located on the 1100 block of 3rd Street, NE will soon be getting a makeover. It is one of more than 160 call boxes throughout the city that are being redesigned as public art works. The call box on Third Street will feature a relief of The Beatles, commemorating the Beatles’ first U.S. concert in 1964 at the Uline Arena, located just one block away.

Go NoMa! Map

We have just launched our online interactive map of NoMa. The map, which can be found on our website, features locations, hours, website information and more for our many and expanding number of amenities. Check out what NoMa has to offer today!

Calendar

Public Safety Meeting
August 12th, 2009 - 2:00 to 3:00 PM
NoMa BID Offices
1200 First Street, NE
Suite 310

Postal Museum Event
Owney Family Day Saturday, August 8
1-4 p.m.
2 Massachusetts Ave, NE

Owney, the unofficial mascot of the Railway Mail Service, invites you to join him on his mail delivering adventures across the country. Have a doggone good time riding the rails with this wandering canine!

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