Constitution Square is proud to announce five new restaurants and shops in its 1.6 million square foot mixed-use development on First Street, NE, between N and M Streets. Potbelly Sandwich Works, Georgetown Valet, Tynan Coffee & Tea Café (currently operating a location in Columbia Heights), TD Bank and Constitution Café will open later this year, and just in time: Thousands of new employees will move into the area of NoMa north of K Street over the coming months. Stay tuned for specific opening announcements throughout the year.

Join us on Facebook and share your excitement!

The First and M intersection has grown visibly busier, as 916 employees moved into Capital Plaza at 1200 First Street, NE, over the past two weekends. The District Department of the Environment relocated from 51 N Street, NE, into three floors; the District of Columbia Public School, formerly at 825 North Capitol Street, took the top six floors. Take a minute to welcome your new neighbors! Need a walking tour orientation or information on the neighborhood? Contact us.

More than 430 real estate professionals packed the 12th floor of 1100 First Street, NE, last week for a presentation on "The New NoMa," organized by the NoMa BID and Bisnow. The lively panelists, moderated by Bruce Baschuk of The J Street Companies, each told their story of NoMa, and why they chose this neighborhood. Victoria Hartke of GSA joined the panel from the audience for an impromptu discussion of NoMa’s recent federal leasing activity. Doug Firstenberg of Constitution Square touted his new retail announcements; Rob Seldin of Archstone announced they will be breaking ground on 469 apartments this spring. Maury Schlesinger explained that NPR looked everywhere in the region - but they chose 1111 North Capitol for its transit access; affordability; large floor-plate; and because NPR could make a difference in a developing neighborhood, just as they did on Massachusetts Avenue decades ago.

Thanks to all our panelists and sponsors!

The NoMa BID recently released its updated development map, with current information and classy colors. Contact the BID office for your hard copies, or download the pdf from our Web site.

In addition, our two-minute promotion video "Go NoMa!" is also available in DVD and CD format. Let us know if you’re interested in a copy so you can show off the neighborhood, too.

NoMa BID collected 43 bags of clothing and food for DC’s homeless; the winter clothes and non-perishables were distributed to Perry School, Pathways to Housing, and SOME (So Others Might Eat) over the past few weeks. Thanks to all the property owners who participated:
131 M Street, NE
1200 First Street, NE
Grainger, 331 N Street, NE
Courtyard by Marriott, 1325 Second Street, NE
1 Massachusetts Ave. NW
25 Massachusetts Ave. NW

And thanks to all our neighbors who gave of their gently used items! If you missed the clothing drive, it’s never too late; all of these nonprofits are local to NoMa:
Perry School Community Services Center, 128 M Street, NW
Pathways to Housing, 101 Q Street, NE
SOME, 71 O Street, NW
Questions? Contact Ambassador Supervisor Aaron McKeiver.

St. Patrick’s Day Book Giveaway
5th Annual Book Day: Free Irish Literature from Solas Nua
March 17, 6 a.m. Until Books Run Out
Florida Avenue Entrance, New York Avenue Metro Station

Resident Artist: Nevan Lahart
Stay tuned for details!

QuestFest: Gallaudet University
International festival celebrating visual theatre
March 1-14

Casey Trees Planting: NoMa BID
March 31 and April 1
Sign up to Volunteer

Metropolitan Branch Tours start in the Spring: Stay tuned for Dates!

NoMa Showcase: BID Annual Meeting
Save the Date for May 6

NoMa Summer Screen Begins May 12
Wednesday Evenings, May 12 through July 28
Stay tuned for details

NoMa Concert Series Begins May 20
Thursdays at Lunchtime, May 20 through July 22
Stay tuned for details

ULI Young Leaders Community Cleanup
Volunteer at the New York Avenue Bridge
Saturday, March 27

Walking Tours
Sign up for a Walking Tour!

Pound Coffee Delivers

Pound Coffee now offers local deliveries (within three blocks, including M Street) for free with an order of $25 or more. Please call ahead to ensure timely delivery. Make today a Pound day for the office! Join them on Facebook, Twitter, or check out the daily menu on Yelp.

FREE Conference Rooms for BID Members!

The Union Station Business Center (Ten G Street, NE, Suite 710) is offering free conference rooms to all BID members during March Madness! Starting March 1, book two hours free in their executive conference rooms. Each meeting room holds 2 to 22 people and is equipped with the latest presentation technology, including Wifi and super-sized LCD presentation screens. Located next to the Union Station First Street Metrorail entrance, instant furnished offices, virtual, and co-working programs are available to all BID members. Contact Emma Dingle at 202-248-5000 or BIDdeal@eoc.net for details or visit dccenters.com.

BID Taxes Due April 1: Second Half FY 2010 BID taxes were mailed this week. If you do not receive your bill by next week, please contact us. Bills are due on April 1.

My Tale of Two Cities Screening

The Capitol Hill BID is screening "My Tale of Two Cities," the rebirth of Pittsburgh told through the eyes of Carl Kulander, a Hollywood producer and screenwriter [St. Elmo's Fire and Saved By the Bell] who returned to his hometown with his wife to raise their young family. Described as "a funny self-help guide for cities looking at their future," the film is free Tuesday, March 23 at the Capitol Visitor’s Center. Reserve tickets.

Streetcar Community Forum

The Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS) will host a Community Forum on Thursday, March 18 at St. Peter’s Parish Hall, 2nd and C Streets, SE. The subject will be the District’s proposed 37-mile streetcar system including routes and technology that might allow the system to operate with few, if any, overhead wires. Two experts will discuss streetcars and how they would relate to our city. The free event begins at 6:30 p.m., with the presentation at 7:20 p.m. Reservations not required.

• Jeff Boothe is Executive Director of the Community Streetcar Coalition, Vice Chair and founding Board Member of Reconnecting America, and an attorney who represents cities and transit authorities seeking to construct streetcar systems.
• Meg Maguire is a Trustee of the Committee of 100 on the Federal City, Chair of their Transportation Committee, and Past President of Scenic America.

Sign Up to Receive the NoMa BID's Annual Report!

The NoMa BID is sending out our Annual Report this spring. If you’d like to receive this fact-filled update on the neighborhood, please visit our Web site to give us your information.

Census Day is April 1, 2010

The 2010 Census is upon us - Stand up and Be Counted! To get involved or apply for a job, visit http://www.2010census.gov.

The NoMa BID is on Facebook! Become a fan.