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Development Update: Canal Park Construction Progress  

canal park constructionCanal Park construction continues on schedule with the park scheduled to open in May of 2012. Construction progress is very evident with the restaurant pavilion foundation walls and the basement footers having been completed. Most recently, the first one hundred feet of trenches have been dug for storm water management. The first of two cisterns for the storm water retention and reuse has been finished as well. On the middle block, the foundation has been laid for a second pavilion that will be used for a kids area and stage.  

 

If you are interested in the future progress of this project, which will feature a restaurant cafe, public park space and pavilions, a seasonal ice skating rink and much more, be sure to check out the Canal Park website here.  

National FreedomFest Brings Huge Crowds to Yards Park 

freedomfestOn July 3rd and 4th, the National Freedomfest came to the Yards Park! A massive celebration for Independence Day weekend, Freedomfest featured two days of DC's most popular bands and DJ's. Over 40 bands and DJ's appeared on 5 stages throughout the Yards Park, and were joined by a variety of food vendors and artisans. The crowds enjoyed the music, the park, and the water and the famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses came as well. Washington Redskin Kory Lictensteiger and other athletes of #78 society were also in at the celebration. HiBall Events, managers of other DC parties like Blocktober Fest and Monster Bash, produced a good time for all in attendance.

Truckeroo II - Coming this FRIDAY!   

truckarooThe enormously successful Truckeroo is returning to the Capitol Riverfront this Friday, July 15, on Half and M Street, SE across from Navy Yard Metro Station. Last month, over 18,000 people attended the first Truckeroo. This month's event will again feature live music, and 20-25 of your favorite food trucks including: Red Hook Lobster Pound, PORC, and Sauca. Truckeroo takes place monthly and admission is free. Come out enjoy the music, have a drink, and choose whatever type of lunch you want! 

Lots of Changes Happening in the Yards  

glass on lumbershedIf you go to the Yards Park, you will get a glimpse of the future. Forest City Washington has added a sample of the glass housing that will surround the lumbershed when construction is complete. This addition is one of many enhancements in the works in The Yards. The Boilermaker Shops, after announcing five restaurant tenants, will begin renovations soon with an opening planned for Fall 2012. 401 M Street is expected to start construction this fall. 401 M will feature approximately 225 apartments and a much anticipated Harris Teeter. The Foundry Lofts, a 170-unit apartment building, will begin pre-leasing in August with plans to open in October. For those that are interested in pre-leaseing the sales trailer is on site. Follow Foundry Lofts on twitter (@FoundryLoftsDC) for the latest updates on the project.  

 

As the city begins to see the Yards Park as its front yard, and numerous people enjoy the park every day of the week, the water features have become a central attraction. The park is a perfect place to cool off these hot summer days and has great popularity. Due to the popularity, we want to make the rules of the water features more prominent. Signs will be installed onsite this Friday, or read the list here

Capitol Riverfront Photo Contest Continues!

TJThe Capitol Riverfront photography contest for the summer has received numerous entries!  As our neighborhood grows into a vibrant new destination we want your perspective to be at the foreFRONT. Winners will receive a gift certificate to Justin's Café and a prominent spot on our Flickr Site as a FRONT photographer.  Congrats to our second finalist, whose photo submission is to the right.

Submissions for the contest may be sent to david@capitolriverfront.org.  The Capitol Riverfront photography contest winners will be announced at the end of the Summer Concert Series.  

Concert and Movie Series in the Capitol Riverfront  

YPconcertThe Yards Park Evening concerts continue tomorrow, July 15, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM with Cazhmiere and their Top 40 tunes. This week Fry Captain and Basil Thyme food trucks will provide delicious fare. Come out on a Friday night to dance and watch this great band perform. 

 

Be sure to take our Concert Series Survey, so that you can help us shape the series in the future. Click here to take the survey on-line. 

 

Friday evening concerts take place from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on the Boardwalk Stage. The event is free and open to the public. Be sure to check out the full line-up with our online calendar! Keep your eyes on our website during bad weather, and we will let you know if rain arrangements have been made.

 

Next week's Lunchtime Concert featuring the solid grooves of The Congress. Lunchtime concerts occur every Wednesday throughout the summer between 11:30 am - 1:30 pm in the Yards Park Lumbershed building. Food trucks will rotate each week so check the BID's website Wednesday morning to see the line-up of food trucks.  

 

And don't forget about tonight's movie in Tingey Plaza, Breakfast at Tiffany's

Faces of the Front: Laura O'Neill of OOIDA  

Faces Laura Laura O'Neill is the Director/Counsel of Government Affairs for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA). OOIDA is a national trade association representing the interests of small business trucking professionals.  The organization is headquartered in the Kansas City, Missouri area, but they also maintain a Washington, DC office in the Capitol Riverfront.  Laura and her staff focus on advocating for small business truckers with Congress and departments such as the U.S. Department of Transportation. OOIDA moved to our current location almost two years ago from the previous office on the Senate side of the US Capitol building.  Along with the many other attributes of the Riverfront they liked the close proximity to the House of Representatives as well as the U.S. Department of Transportation. Laura said she chose the Capitol Riverfront, "because it is a beautiful part of the city with a diverse population that offers affordability and easy access to many federal buildings we rely upon for our industry."

Laura's favorite parts of the Capitol Riverfront include the close accessibility to a variety of modes of transportation, as well as the close proximity to the National's Park and the blossoming dining and entertainment options.  Laura also said that "Justin's Café is fantastic! We need more places like it." In the future she would like to see the neighborhood continue to grow and prosper with more options for food and entertainment that will bring more people into the area.   

Green Feature: Capitol Riverfront Capitol BikeShare 

bikeshare rideThe Capitol Bikeshare is an easy, economically sound and environmentally clean system of travel. The Capitol Riverfront hosts numerous bike docks around our neighborhood, with a prominent station conveniently located across the street from the Navy Yard Metro stop and First Street across from the Ballpark. 

Beginning only last September and already the nation's largest service with a fleet of 1100 bikes, expansion continues as 32 new stations in the district will be installed during the Fall. With the convenience and sustainable potential of bikes Capital Bikeshare highlights the radical transformation of the district. Proven popular among locals and tourists averaging a ridership of 5,000-6,000 per day, this gem should not be passed up. 

Through a sustainable design these three-speed cruisers can be used comfortably by people of a wide range of heights with simple adjustment settings.  Easy to use one or five day passes may be purchased directly at the bike dock's kiosk, while 30-day or annual passes may be purchased online. Capitol Bikeshare users are able to take as many 30 minute trips as they like for free.  A new feature coming soon will allow members to view their trips online including CO2 offset from their ride.  With smart phone apps available to locate nearby docks and stations running on solar-power, this savvy transportation has us biking in the green. Skip the high parking costs and generate your own breeze with the ease of Capital Bikeshare. 
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Capitol Riverfront BID | 1100 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Suite 1010 | Washington | DC | 20003