November 2008 Meeting Minutes.

Minutes of the Ward 8 Business Council Meeting
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Ward 8 Constituent Services Office

PARTICIPANTS:

Robert James, Ward 8 Business Council
James Bunn, Ward 8 Business Council
Adam Richardson, Ward 8 Business Council
Derek Davis, Davis Barber & Beauty Services
Karen Cobble, GWUL-Aging Ward 8
Kelvin Brown, KB Enterprises
Roxanne Burroughs, Majestic Grounds
Lolita Lee, ARJ Enterprises
Virginia Major, Ward 8 Farmers Market
William Liggins, DMPED
Mike Durso, DMPED
Matthew Quarles, Matt & Sons
Jennifer Ross, National Collegiate Prep
Allie Bird, Ward 8 Workforce Development Council
Patsy Fletcher, THREAD
Diarra McKinney, Clark Realty Capital
Kalem Unfomi, Historian/Artist
Elinor Bacon, ER Bacon Development
Dr. Regina Rodriguez, National Collegiate Preparatory

DISCUSSION:

The meeting commenced at 6:30 p.m. Introductions were made. The Chairman’s Report was made by Robert James. James Bunn reported on his activity as the Executive Director.

William Liggins, DC Revenue Bonds Program

 The District of Columbia Revenue Bond Program provides below market interest rate loans to qualified private enterprises that are located in the Enterprise Zone as well as non-profit and manufacturing organizations citywide.
 Bonds can be issued to assist in financing a broad variety of capital projects, including commercial development, infrastructure improvements, and equipment and machinery used in business and other endeavors such as the retail trades, health care, education, housing, recreation, and solid waste recycling.
 Program funds are generated through the issuance and sale of tax-exempt and taxable municipal revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations.
 Proceeds from the sale of these securities are loaned to borrowers and may be used to finance, refinance and reimburse costs of acquiring, constructing, restoring, rehabilitating, expanding, improving, equipping and furnishing real property, and related and subordinate facilities.
 The Revenue Bond Program has helped attract to the District approximately $4 billion of private investment capital on behalf of dozens of small and large institutions located throughout the District.
 For further information on federal incentives or the Application for Revenue Bond Financing call or write:
District of Columbia Revenue Bond Program
Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 317
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 727-6365
Fax: (202) 727-6703

Michael Durso, Project Manager for Poplar Point
 Michael discussed Poplar Point being a part of a land transfer.
 He discussed the the D.C. Lands Act calls for the redevelopment of Poplar Point (the Site), by the District and, should the NPS and the District jointly determine that it is no longer appropriate for the NPS and U.S. Park Police (USPP), which is part of the NPS, to remain in their current Poplar Point facilities, new permanent replacement facilities will be provided by the District.
 The EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) will analyze alternatives for the District's redevelopment of the Site and for NPS and USPP replacement facilities which may be located elsewhere in Washington, D.C., and a no-action alternative. This EIS will be used in the decision-making processes for this relocation and redevelopment which are pursuant to the D.C. Lands Act.
 The District of Columbia currently doesn’t own the land.
 The EIS was started for Poplar Point in June.
 DMPED is trying to complete a 18 month EIS with the National Park Service, which is the company that owns the land.
 There will be a meeting at Birney Elementary on November 20, 2008, and DMPED needs input from Ward 8 residents.
 DMPED needs input from residents to incorporate into the draft for the EIS for Poplar Point.
 Dirt won’t be broken on the Poplar Point project until 2011 or 2012.
 For further information on Poplar Point call:
Michael Durso, Project Manager at (202) 727-8813
Diarra McKinney, Development Executive for Clark Realty Capital
 Diarra is responsible for the Poplar Point project.
 His team had put together world class engineers for Poplar Point.
 Designers are working hard on the design for Poplar Point. Community involvement is pivotal. The engineers incorporate the community’s ideas into the design.
 The budget is $1.5 million in planning dollars.
 Phinis Jones of Capitol Services Management, Inc. is a part of Clark Constructions team regarding Poplar Point.
 For further information on Poplar Point call:
Diarra McKinney, Development Executive at (703) 294-4512



Kelvin Brown, KB Enterprises
 Kelvin discussed web site literacy.
 He went in to the importance of using one’s company website to market one’s business.
 For further information on Web literacy call or email:
Kelvin Brown, KB Enterprises at (202) 683-8866 or Kelvin@kelvinbrown.com

Jennifer Ross & Dr. Regina Rodriguez, National Collegiate Preparatory
 Classes will begin in Fall 2009, staring with 9th grade students only.
 The location of the school will be in Congress Heights.
 The school currently has 120 openings for 9th grade students.
 The curriculum will be Ivy and AP.
 The school is generating vendor list and looking for staff.
 The mission of the school is to provide a rigorous 9th-12th grade, standards based college preparatory curriculum to maximize there students academic achievement.
 To provide an interdisciplinary curriculum which integrates international studies themes across the academic curriculum leading to an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma; and to prepare there students to be self-directed, life-long learners equipped to be engaged 21st century citizens of their school, community, country, and world.
 For further information on the National Collegiate Preparatory School call or email:
Dr. Regina L. Rodriguez-Mitchell, Co-Founder & Head of School at (202) 832-7737 or rrodriguezmitchell@nationalprep-pchs.org , Or you can contact Jennifer Ross, Co-Founder & Head of School at (202) 906-9271 or jross@nationalprep-pchs.org

October Ward 8 Business Council Meeting Minutes.

October Ward 8 Business Council Meeting Minutes.
Minutes of the Ward 8 Business Council Meeting
Tuesday, October 16, 2008
Ward 8 Constituent Services Office

PARTICIPANTS:

Robert James, Ward 8 Business Council
James Bunn, Ward 8 Business Council
Adam Richardson, Ward 8 Business Council
Betty Crawl, CHW Solutions
Alfred Twyman,
Warner Session,
Linda Martin,
Derek Davis, Barbershop Owner
Lolita Lee, ARJ Enterprises
Balli Aulakh, Arctek Inc.
Brenda Jones, EMI
Jose Muse, Urban Oasis
Mark James, CPDC
Thomas Blanton, MARCL
L. Bellamy, B&B Flooring
Rev. Hudson, MMBC
Freddie Winston, F&L Construction
Kalem Unfomi, Historian/Artist

DISCUSSION:

The meeting commenced at 6:45 p.m. Introductions were made. The Chairman’s Report was made by Robert James. James Bunn reported on his activity as the Executive Director.

Mark James, Community Preservation & Development Corporation

Spoke on Wheeler Terrace and Parkside Terrace Project. Wheeler Terrace is a green affordable housing development that is LEED certified. Project has a Gold certification. Green building has become mandatory for affordable housing in Washington, DC. Spoke on mandating to bring in local & minority companies to participate in the building of the green communities. Wheeler Terrace project already exceeds the 25% local CBE participation requirement. Mark is looking to get more CBE participation with the Wheeler Terrace Project. The Wheeler Terrace project is a 100+ unit project. The Wheeler Terrace project is the greenest affordable housing complex in the District of Columbia. Geo thermal system is on site, Green roofs are being incorporated. Concerning issues that were addressed were the lack of minority owned companies that can carry out Green Building Construction.

September 2008 Ward 8 Business Council Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the Ward 8 Business Council Meeting
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Ward 8 Constituent Services Office

PARTICIPANTS:

Robert James, Ward 8 Business Council
James Bunn, Ward 8 Business Council
Adam Richardson, Ward 8 Business Council
Elinor Bacon, ER Bacon Development
Betty Crawl, CHW Solutions
Alfred Twyman,
Oramenta Newsome, LISC
Roxanne Burroughs,
Kelly Wilkins, Covenant Baptist Church
Greg Thomas, CSOSA
Phillip Allen,
Allen Lew, Schools Remodernization Office
Tony Robinson, Schools Remodernization Office
Crawford Cox, Schools Remodernization Office
David Williams,
Rosalind Stephenwood, Capitol City DC
Necola Shaw, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Linda Fenenell, DDOT
Traci Morris, Morr-Jacks Communications, LLC
Jackie Ward,
Warner Session,
Julius Ware,
Michael Truppner, Securpros
Sherwin Hayes,
Linda Martin,

DISCUSSION:

The meeting commenced at 6:45 p.m. Introductions were made. The Chairman’s Report was made by Robert James. James Bunn reported on his activity as the Executive Director.

Allen Lew, Schools Remodernization Office

 Spoke on contracting opportunities for vendors and consultants.
 50% of contracts are awarded to CBE’s from Washington, D.C.
 Many of the CBE’s that get contracts through his office continue to get consistent contract opportunities because they are now on the School Remodernization Office’s radar.
 Spoke on his office going through Job Fairs seeking eligible CBE’s
 If interested call Tony Robinson of the Schools Remodernization Office at (202) 698-7703


Greg Thomas, CSOSA (Court Services & Offender Supervision Agency)
 Spoke on their responsibility as an agency for the supervision of ex-offenders.
 Covenant Baptist Church partnered with CSOSA in July to form a faith based initiative. To guide and support the offenders when brought back into society.
 The primary goal of the program is to find mentors for the ex-offenders & services.
 Housing, Employment, etc.
 They are working with 12 different faith based organizations in Ward 7 & 8. CSOSA is looking for Ward 7 & 8 businesses interested in employing or giving internships to ex-offenders.
 Tax credits and other financial gains for area businesses interested in participating with program.
 If interested in the program call Greg Thomas of CSOSA at (202) 220-5318





Oramenta Newsome, LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation)

 Spoke on her organization being an investor in the community and works in conjunction with Non-profit organization and local businesses.
 Any organization that is aimed towards the positive progression of the community.
 LISC provided the funds for shops in Park Village, The Bobby Mitchell football field, The Arc, and Hope Housing to name a few. Providing funds of $19 million dollars.
 The company invests in quality of life organizations.
 The company is looking to invest in Congress Heights.
 Grants can be attained for Non-profits and other local businesses through LISC.
 In interested in the program call Oramenta Newsome of LISC at (202) 785-2908

Ward 8 Business Council & The New Ward 8

The Ward 8 Business Council has huge plans for the entire Ward 8. We are working in conjunction with Councilmember Barry to make Ward 8 economically sufficient. The new Ward 8 will be a place were business is thriving and employment is abundant. Join the movement for excellence by becoming a part of the Ward 8 Business Council and a member of our great organization. We plan on blogging from this very sight on a consistent basis in the near future. Please feel free to leave your comments or questions in regards to the New Ward 8 and the Ward 8 Business Council. James Bunn is the Executive Director of the Ward 8 Business Council and Robert James is the Chairman of the Board.

Contact Us at:

Ward 8 Business Council
3119 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20032
(202) 562-1671 (office)
(202) 562-1672 (office)
(202) 562-1673 (fax)
Email: adamrichardson21@yahoo.com or jbunnward8bus@aol.com
Blog: http://www.ward8businesscouncil.blogspot.com/

The Ward 8 Business Council Board of Directors include:


Elinor Bacon
ER Bacon Development, LLC
4725 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20016
(202) 244-3696
ebacon@erbacondevelopment.com

Herman Barber, Treasurer
Barber Construction
3127 MLK Jr. Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20032
(202) 373-0433

Sam Foster
Concerned Citizens Against Alcohol and Substance Abuse
3115 MLK Jr. Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20032
(202) 563-3210 (202) 563-3209
Ccadaonline.org

Luula Hagos, Owner
Quality Convenient Store
2922 ½ MLK Jr. Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20032
(202) 561-2911

Robert James, Chairman
Ward 8 Business Council
3331-5th Street, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20020
(202) 277-4701 (cell)

Barry Johnson
Acresh Development
2326 First Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 491-3191
bjohnson@acresh.com

Tendani Mpulubusi
Solid Grounds, LLC
2636 Wade Road, S.E. #12
Washington, D.C. 20020
(202) 758-0195




David Smith
East of the River Clergy & Police Community Partnership
4912 Meade Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20019
(202) 345-3282
Exodus7.10@gmail.com

Helena Stewart
439 Chaplin Street, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20019
(202) 624-4300

Novell Sullivan
1409-22nd Street, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20020
(202) 253-1193

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq., National Chair
National Congress of Black Women, Inc.
1224 W Street, S.E., Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20020
(202) 678-6788 (202) 554-0159 (home)
efayed@aol.com

Freddie Winston
F&L Construction
1512 Good Hope Road, S.E.
Washington, DC 20020
(202) 678-5788
Flconstruction84@comcast.net


The next Ward 8 Business Council Monthly Meeting will be held on:

Tuesday April 15, 2008 @ 6:30 PM
Ward 8 Constituent Services Office
2100 MLK Jr. Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20020
3rd Floor Conference Room

Developers Welcomed:

The Ward 8 Business Council would like to welcome you to the new Ward 8. We are delighted that you have chosen to do business in our community. The Ward 8 Business Council is a nonprofit organization that monitors development in the Ward and ensures that our local CBEs (Certified Business Enterprises) are included in development projects. We are also strong proponents of green economies.
Councilmember Marion Barry takes an active interest in maximizing the public and private benefits that real estate development can generate in Ward 8. Therefore, we work closely with him to ensure he is apprised of all development projects in the Ward and opportunities they represent. If you are currently pursuing, or are planning a real estate project within Ward 8, we invite you to engage in our recommended process of business and community development by taking the following steps:
1) Scheduling a meeting with Councilmember Marion Barry and the Ward 8 Business Council. 2) Provide us with a brief synopsis of your project that includes the cost, public and/or private dollars, date of completion, possible amenities as well as contractual, employment and training opportunities. 3) Review the Ward 8 Business Council’s list of architects, CBEs, community outreach consultants and workforce list. This is available at the Ward 8 Business Council office. 4) Contact Adam Richardson at the Ward 8 Business Council office to schedule a presentation of your proposed project at the monthly Council public meetings. The presentation should highlight project plans, CBE and workforce participation opportunities and green elements of the development.
We are happy to have you in our community. However, we are recommending this process prior to the development of your team. We have qualified consultants and small businesses that we are promoting to be included on all project development teams in Ward 8. It is our hope that through this recommended process our community will prosper and your project will be successful. Thank you.

James Bunn, Executive Director, Ward 8 Business Council


We are providing quality services, for quality businesses.






The New Ward 8 Is Coming.