Washington Business Journal  - Michael Neibauer

On the second day of the NCAA's Sweet 16, the District will kick off its own March Madness with the release of at least 17 development opportunities spanning all corners of the city.

The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, Department of Housing and Community Development, Deputy Mayor for Education, D.C. Public Library and the Department of Parks and Recreation will preview the upcoming release of their development-related RFPs on Friday during the District's second annual economic development showcase.

While we're obliged not to release specifics about those opportunities until the event, we can say that they range from historic reuse to vacant property development to school and recreation center rehabilitation and new library construction.

During the 2015 version of March Madness, only the DMPED was involved, unveiling four development initiatives — Waterfront Station II, Capitol Vista, 1520-1522 North Capitol St. NW in Truxton Circle, and MLK Gateway. None have seen a winner chosen, yet.

This year, there will be three times as many. The District, which has already signed up 600 people for the 2016 event, suggests that businesses and organizations from developers to engineers to architects to contractors, subcontractors, equity providers and lenders be there.

The event will be held from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the University of the District of Columbia's Theater of the Arts at Windom Circle, 4200 Connecticut Ave. NW.