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.”

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 [email protected].

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.