Washington, D.C., May 6, 2011 – The NoMa Business Improvement District launched a creative and striking new campaign at its celebratory annual meeting last week, which was hosted at the new Hilton Garden Inn by Todd Gray’s Watershed. The campaign includes a new aesthetic for the organization, as well as 12 months of initiatives that will promote the NoMa neighborhood as a creative, energetic and fun place.
After 12 months of strategy, research and design work with The Roan Group and DOXA, the NoMa BID unveiled a sophisticated and contemporary logo that evokes a skyline rising from the ground. NoMa-specific photography by Sam Kittner underscores a bright, energetic color palette.
Strategic messaging focuses on CONNECTED, emphasizing all the ways NoMa connects you like no other place in DC.
– NoMa is connected to the seat of power – just four blocks from the US Capitol.
– NoMa connects you to the city and the region, with 15 modes of transportation, including Union Station, two Red Line Metro stops and the Met Branch Trail.
– Sixteen new retailers, including DC’s largest Harris Teeter, connect you to convenience.
– With brand-new, green buildings, NoMa connects you to value.
– Panoramic vistas, rooftop pools, and stylish, new residences connect you to luxury.
– Over 100 free events create opportunities to connect with community.
“NoMa is the most connected neighborhood in Washington, DC, and this new strategy captures the energy and optimism that have come to signify NoMa,” said NoMa Business Improvement District Liz Price.
Already, place branding and beautification initiatives have started throughout the neighborhood, with fence banners covering construction sites, and advertising in the New York Avenue Metro station. At the annual meeting, the BID launched an updated Web site with interactive Google-based map, as well as completely redesigned marketing materials, including the popular Development Map, a new Neighborhood Guide, and more. Over the next year, the BID will roll out other initiatives including events, landscaping and street banners.
The BID’s annual meeting featured ‘We Are NoMa,’ a show by Danny Harris displaying portraits and stories of NoMa residents, employees and stakeholders. Danny is a well known and respected local photographer and folklorist with a passion for telling the stories of the people of DC through his blog The People’s District.
Celebrating Successes
As she announced this new campaign for NoMa, BID President Liz Price celebrated the successes of the past year:
– Last year, NoMa welcomed more than 1,400 residents to the neighborhood.
– By the end of 2011, 1,500 new apartments will be under construction, bringing thousands more residents here in the next two years.
– After 5 years of relentless construction activity, 2010 brought more than 6,000 new employees to the area, who are now enjoying the 16 new restaurants, cafés and Harris Teeter.
– In 2010, the Clean Team removed mountains of snow and over 800,000 pounds of trash. They also planted 15,000 tulip and daffodil bulbs, which brightened the neighborhood earlier this spring.
– The BID transformed a dreary gravel patch in front of the New York Avenue Metro into a green and beautiful pocket park.
– The BID tripled its signature programming last year, using events to build community and foster a sense of connection in this new neighborhood. The programming continues this year:
The fourth season of NoMa Summer Screen kicks off May 18, with 12 weeks of films under the stars.
Now in its second year, our popular lunchtime concert series ‘Rhythm in NoMa’ is expanding to two locations and 20 weeks of music.
The BID plans to launch a farmers’ market June 1.
The inaugural year of ZestFest brought art, music and activity to sidewalks and corners throughout the neighborhood for three weeks last October. Stay tuned for ZestFest 2011.
– The BID funded improvements to the NY /FL Avenue intersection, including brick sidewalks, 45 street trees, and lush, colorful landscaping.
– Public safety continues to be a top priority for the BID, and crime is down 44% over the last four years. MPD launched a new foot and bike patrol on First Street this winter, covering the hours of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
– The BID has expanded its Ambassador team, adding evening and weekend shifts to better serve the growing residential population.
NoMa is also rapidly becoming one of the most bike-friendly neighborhoods in Washington. For information on our Biketastic partnerships and initiatives, visit nomabid.wpengine.com/biketastic.
Awards
The BID presented awards to three individuals for their contributions to NoMa:
– Tony Goodman received the Community Member award for his tireless support of NoMa, often through the local ANC’s planning and zoning committee, beautification initiatives, and clean-up efforts.
– Ali Shakeri, Team 3 Manager for DDOT’s Infrastructure Project Management Administration (IPMA), received the Public Servant Award. Shakeri has overseen all of NoMa’s major transportation initiatives, including the NY/FL Avenue intersection, the NY Avenue bridge public art, construction of the Met Branch Trail, and many more.
– NoMa BID Board Vice-Chair and founding BID member Sandy Wilkes received the Private Stakeholder Award for his steadfast leadership and dedication to parks, arts and culture and community.
Five board members were re-elected to their positions on the NoMa Board. View a full list of the NoMa BID Board.
To request new NoMa materials or an Annual Report, please contact Rachel Davis.
About NoMa
NoMa is a vibrant, growing neighborhood north of Union Station and the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. In the last five years, private developers have invested more than $3 billion in the 35-block area covered by the NoMa BID, and have plans to develop more than 20 million square feet of office, residential, hotel, and retail space. In 2010, more than 6,000 people moved into NoMa to live or work; and eight new retailers opened for business. NoMa has 15 modes of transportation, including two Red Line Metro stops, and the best biking facilities in DC, with the only East Coast Bikestation, the 8-mile Met Branch Trail, and six Capital Bikeshare stations. For more information about NoMa, visit nomabid.wpengine.com and sign up for our bimonthly newsletter. Follow us on Twitter @NoMaBID; or Facebook at www.facebook.com/nomabid.
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