Bikestation Opens

The Union Station Bikestation opened October 2 with a flurry of wheels and activity. Cyclist enthusiasts and local officials thronged the glass structure, which resembles a sleek bike helmet, as Mayor Adrian Fenty, DDOT Director Gabe Klein and Councilmember Tommy Wells lauded the team and the symbolic influence of the station.

NoMa leaders continue to emphasize cycling and other transit options, as the neighborhood becomes one of the District’s most bike-friendly, intermodal areas. The Bikestation, located on the west side of Union Station, will offer bike parking, rentals, repairs and retail accessories for both members and non-members. Memberships and 24/7 access are handled by the Bikestation Coalition, a national network of similar bike parking facilities. Register at http://www.bikestation.com.

Construct: Space Transformed

Art is coming to NoMa, and you can see it anytime after October 22! In conjunction with the Cultural Development Corporation and five artists, the BID is installing eye-catching art in the ground-floor retail spaces of several NoMa Buildings:

801 North Capitol Street
1200 First Street, NE
1100 First Street, NE
77 K Street, NE

The exhibit runs through January. Join us October 22 for the kick-off walking tour (5-6 p.m.) and opening reception 6-8 p.m. at 1100 First Street, NE. RSVP here.

In November, join us for walking tours and meet the artists on November 5, from 5-6 p.m., and November 19, from 12-1 p.m. RSVP to Kayrn Miller. The exhibits are visible from the sidewalk and free 24/7.

Lead sponsorship of Construct is provided by Loree Grand at Union Place, a Cohen Companies + TIAA CREF Development Project. Additional support provided by Tishman Speyer; Polinger, Shannon & Luchs; Brookfield Properties; Brookfield Asset Management; and Wachovia.

New Business in NoMa!

Former New York resident turned DC businessman Mian Amer opened his second New York Pizza Co. location in NoMa Monday, offering free delivery within roughly three miles (to NoMa, Adams Morgan, Dupont and Catholic University), and take-out or sit-down options for neighborhood residents. The restaurant is located at 2 Florida Avenue NE, at the convergence of North Capitol Street, Florida and Q Street, NE, with entrances off Q Street and Florida Avenue NE.

After operating his first location at 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, since 2002, Amer decided to expand into NoMa, sensing untapped potential. For more information, visit http://www.mynypizzaco.com. Visit us on Facebook to stay informed with the grand opening details.

News

Call Box Unveiling: The Beatles

The Capitol Hill North Neighborhood Association unveiled an artistic call box display October 3, as Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes-Norton applauded. The call box, in the 1100 block of Third Street, NE, features a relief of the Beatles, commemorating their first U.S. concert in 1964 at the nearby Uline Arena. Stop by the Call Box and send us your photos; we’ll post them on Facebook!

NoMa Happy Hour + Walking Tour

The BID is holding a neighborhood walking tour on October 27. We’ll meet at the Florida Avenue exit of the New York Avenue Metrorail station, then walk through the neighborhood and end up at Capitol City Brewery for happy hour. The tour starts at 4:30 p.m. on October 27. Please RSVP to Rachel Davis.

Casey Trees Volunteers Needed

The BID is teaming with Casey Trees to add more green in the neighborhood, but we need volunteers. Come out October 23rd and 24th to dig holes and plant trees, and bring a friend or coworker with you. For more information or to sign up, contact Director of Operations Merrit Drucker.

NoMa BID Annual Survey

Time is running out: Tell us what you think about NoMa, and how we can improve our neighborhood. The survey, which closes October 16, will influence everything we do in the next year.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=H3cxL3JzdQju5xUTRY0J8Q_3d_3d

Park Survey

Tell the DC Office of Planning that NoMa needs more parks! The park survey can be found at: Downtown Park and Open Space User Survey. The study will examine access, availability, and programming for park and open spaces in DC's Downtown and the emerging high density neighborhoods north of Massachusetts Avenue. For more information, email emily.yates@dc.gov.

D.C. Circulator Changed Some Routes, Stops

If you ride the Circulator for work or play, please check out their Web site for route updates. All circulator routes, including the Union Station-Navy Yard Metro route, have been slightly changed.

For more information, go to http://www.dccirculator.com or call 202-962-1423.

Explore NoMa

The BID had the great pleasure of writing an article for the September edition of the DC Building Industry Association’s (DCBIA) Pipeline magazine, a well known publication in the DC region. The BID’s four-page piece was featured prominently, starting on page four of the magazine. View the PDF version here. This article is another example of the BID’s continuing efforts to position ourselves as a welcoming neighborhood, focused on amenities, accessibility, and affordability.

Find us on Flickr!

Do you have stunning photos of NoMa that you’re dying to share? Visit us at http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomabid/ and let the uploading begin.

Commute on the Met Branch Trail

October is the perfect time for cycling around D.C., and key sections of the Metropolitan Branch Trail are nearing completion. To introduce interested residents to commuting by bicycle along the Metropolitan Branch Trail, Rails to Trails Conservancy will be hosting Don't Sweat It! Morning Commute Convoys on Mondays in October.

See how easy it can be to commute by bike to work downtown, and watch as a crucial section of the Metropolitan Branch Trail is completed between Franklin Street and New York Avenue, creating a safe connection between Brookland, Edgewood, Eckington, NoMa and downtown. With pick-up points near the Takoma and Brookland-CUA Metro stations, our convoy will arrive at Big Bear Coffee at 8:30 a.m., located at 1st and R Streets NW. From there, we will split into groups heading for our final destinations. For details and a route map, sign up here.

Registration is required. After you ride, post your comments on Facebook!

The NoMa BID is on Facebook! Become a fan.