District Releases Draft Plan for Rhode Island Avenue, NE

June 17, 2009

Community Input Solicited over Summer Months

Contact: Sean Madigan, (202) 615-2029 (cell); Feras Sleiman, (202) 251-8829 (cell)

(Washington, DC) – The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development today released for public comment an economic development plan for the Rhode Island Avenue NE Great Streets Corridor. The document “Rhode Island Avenue: Diamond of the District” outlines recommendations which are expected to guide an estimated $1.2 billion in private and public investment in a mix of uses through the year 2025.

“Rhode Island Avenue, NE corridor is a place where people want to shop, live, work and play,” said Deputy Mayor Valerie Santos. “A tremendous amount of work with the community and Advisory Neighborhood Commissions has gone into preparing this asset based strategy. We encourage and invite the community to continue to provide feedback to help finalize this plan.”

The draft plan can be found on the Deputy Mayor’s website at dcbiz.dc.gov under “Great Streets” then “THINK Rhode Island Avenue” or go directly to http://dcbiz.dc.gov/dmped/cwp/view,A,1365,Q,608751.asp. (Scroll down to the bottom of the webpage.)

Comments on the plan should be submitted in WRITING ONLY to Coordinator – Great Streets Initiative, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 317, Washington, DC 20004 or via email to derrick.woody@dc.gov.

The District plans to convene a public meeting or hearing the week of September 7, 2009 to formally receive any other comments on the plan before it is finalized.

NOTE: If you would like a copy of the plan emailed directly to you, please send an email to derrick.woody@dc.gov with “SEND DRAFT R.I.A. Plan” in the subject line.

Derrick Lanardo Woody

Coordinator – Great Streets Initiative

Office of the Deputy Mayor for

Planning & Economic Development

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Suite 317

Washington, DC 20004-3001

202.727.2981 phone

202.286.8814 cell

202.727.6703 fax

EMAIL: derrick.woody@dc.gov

More information: www.greatstreets.dc.gov