Several community organizations, including the MidCity Business Association, Cardozo Shaw Neighborhood Association, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1B, with support from the Executive Office of the Mayor and Ward One Councilmember, Jim Graham, came together yesterday to launch a new pilot project in the neighborhood, the Hospitality Resource Partnership at 9th & U Streets, NW (HRP at 9th & U or HRP).

 

The HRP at 9th & U's goal is to unite key representatives from hospitality, public safety, government, development and community toward a common goal of planning, managing and policing safe and vibrant places to live, work, and socialize.  The HRP pilot project is focused on the area within 1 ½ blocks of the center of the intersection of 9th & U Streets, NW.

Over 75 residents and representatives from various District Government agencies attended the HRP Launch and Community Policing Forum at the Housing Finance Agency, 815 Florida Avenue, NW, and was recorded by the Office of Cable Television & Telecommunications' Chanel 16. 

 

The forum was recorded by DC's Office of Cable Television and Telecommunications (OCTT) - Channel 16 - and the forum is available to watch online via streaming video.

 

Across the nation HRP initiatives have guided cities as they manage multi-use districts, such as 14th & U Streets, NW corridor and the MidCity area.  Forum panelists discussed their experiences and challenges as they have instituted HRP programs in their communities.

The HRP at 9th & U Community Policing Forum panel included the following speakers:

Many of the panelists also attended the 2006 US Department of Justice's Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) National Conference, which was held by Washington, D.C., July 27-29, 2006.

 

The Responsible Hospitality Institute , which created the HRP process, has been working with MidCity and 14th & U community for the past several years and has worked with the DC Downtown BID in planning for the development around the Verizon Center.