MVT: Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District Holds Annual Meeting

For those unable to attend today's Annual Meeting......
Photo by Mount Carmel Baptist
The Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District (MVT CID) held its FY 2016 Annual Meeting at Ottoman Taverna at 425 I Street, NW, today, bringing together MVT CID residents, business owners, commercial office tenants and other valued stakeholders to learn about the year’s initiatives and programs.

After a warm welcome from Ottoman Taverna owner and host Hakan Ilhan, MVT CID Board Chairman, Berk Shervin of The Wilkes Company made introductory remarks followed by a State of the MVT CID address from President and CEO, Kenyattah Robinson. The keynote address was made by Brent Leggs, the senior field officer in the Washington, D.C. Field Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, an assistant clinical professor in the University of Maryland’s Historic Preservation program, a Harvard Loeb Fellow and the author of Preserving African American Historic Places. Nichole Opkins from the Office of Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen and Ana Harvey, Director of the District Department of Small and Local Business Development, led the Clean Team Award presentation, which was preceded by a special video spotlight (below) describing Clean Team member Steven Powell’s journey to his first owned home. 


This year, for the first time, the MVT CID presented two awards, with the Metropolitan Police Department’s First District earning Community Partner of the Year and MVT CID Board Member and restaurateur, Hakan Ilhan, earning Community Stakeholder of the Year.
“Today’s Mount Vernon Triangle, with abundant residential, commercial office and retail growth, is an undeniable epicenter and vibrant new heart of an expanding downtown Washington and we are committed to becoming the next great “destination of choice” for those who choose to live, work, do business and entertain in the District of Columbia,” said MVT CID President and CEO, Kenyattah Robinson. “Even as we pursue that vision of economic success, we remain committed to ensuring that everyone feels safe and supported in our community. Our clean and safe mission is paramount and will always be our number one priority. Our Clean Team is renowned for their engagement and commitment to our neighborhood and we are extraordinarily proud to publicly recognize Mr. Steven Powell’s journey from the shelter at Central Union Mission to home ownership.”
Community Partner & Stakeholder of the Year Awards
Each year, the MVT CID has recognized an individual in the community who, through their leadership, has improved the public experience with the Public Service Award for Outstanding Leadership and Dedication to the Community. This year, for the first time, the MVT CID presented two awards, with the Metropolitan Police Department’s First District (MPD 1D) earning Community Partner of the Year and MVT CID Board Member Hakan Ilhan earning Community Stakeholder of the Year. MPD 1D and Ilhan are the 12th and 13th recipients of the MVT CID’s highest annual recognition, joining the ranks of other outstanding leaders who have previously been honored.

Board Members
The following Board Members were voted on for a three-year renewal term and confirmed today:
  • Greg Carbone, Vice President, Property Management, EDENS
  • Todd Dengel, Senior Account Manager, Impark
  • Jimmy Dodson, Project Manager, Paradigm Development Co.
  • Tarra Kohli, Board President, Madrigal Lofts Condominium
  • Pete Otteni, Vice President, Development, Boston Properties
  • Stephan Rodiger, Senior Vice President, Development, Redbrick LMD
  • Dr. James Terrell, Reverend, Second Baptist Church
The MVT CID welcomes the following new Board Members who were voted on for a three-year term and confirmed today:
  • Elena Anderson de Lay, Member Representative, Mount Carmel Baptist Church (also Director, The Brookings Institution)
  • David Downey, President & CEO, International Downtown Association
  • Merrick Krause, Executive Director for Resource Management, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Board of Veterans Appeals
Photo by MVTCID
Economic Development Summary
The MVT CID released its FY16 Annual Report today and presented the economic development summary. The MVT CID is undergoing tremendous growth and development, with the community becoming a magnet for organizations seeking a new headquarters location, new residents, and national retail franchises wishing to growth their existing local presence or expand new operations into the District of Columbia.

New restaurants and retailers include:
  • Alta Strada
  • Shouk
  • Conosci
  • Ray’s Hell Burger
  • Devon & Blakely
  • RPM Italian 
Notable retail openings adjacent to the MVT CID include 
  • Farmer’s & Distillers
  • Kinship
  • La Colombe
adding to the area’s destination appeal.
Photo by Mount Carmel Baptist
Residential developments with a total of 547 units are now under construction and, once delivered, will bring the total number of residential units in the MVT CID to 4,545. The developments under construction include:
  • The Aspen DC Apartments at 1031 4th Street, NW
  • 455 Eye Street Apartments
  • The Lydian at 400 K Street, NW
  • Plaza West at 307 K Street, NW
Commercial office space under construction totaling 103,000 square feet, including 7,700 square feet of retail, includes:
  • The DC Bar Association
Annual Report
The MVT CID FY 2016 annual report can be downloaded at http://www.mvtcid.org/resource-library/publications-reports or picked up at the MVT CID office at 457 Massachusetts Avenue, NW.

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