(Washington, DC) – On Monday, April 22 at 11 am, Mayor Muriel Bowser will highlight Fisal Year 2025 investments in Downtown DC and launch a new Pop-Up Permitting (PUP) pilot program that will encourage activations and help fill vacant storefronts in Downtown. The Mayor will announce the program at a currently vacant storefront in the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID) that will be transformed this July for Capital Fringe, an annual community-driven arts festival that celebrates cultural democracy and access to art and artistic expression for all.
The new PUP program, developed and administered by the Department of Buildings (DOB), will enable customers to secure a streamlined Certificate of Occupancy for temporary use of a previously vacant building, all without going through the traditional permitting process.
Mayor Bowser’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget includes $2.5 million to support pop-up and short-term retail in vacant commercial spaces Downtown. This investment joins other significant investments in the continued transformation of Downtown DC, including: $5 million for the Vitality Fund, which provides grants to businesses in high-growth sectors; $26 million to implement the Business and Entrepreneurship Support to Thrive (BEST) Act that will streamline business licensing; and $5 million to create a new Downtown Arts Hub, a flexible, multi-use space for theatre, dance, music, and visual arts organizations.
WHEN:
Monday, April 22 at 11 am
WHO:
Mayor Muriel Bowser
Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, At-Large and Chair of the Committee on Business and Economic Development
Nina Albert, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
Brian Hanlon, Director, Department of Buildings
Leona Agouridis, President and CEO, Golden Triangle BID
Julianne Brienza, Founding Director, Capital Fringe
Cee Smith, CEO, Femme Fatale
Representatives from Capital Pride Alliance
WHERE:
1122 Connecticut Avenue, NW
*Closest Metro: Farragut North Station (Red Line)*
*Closest Bus Routes: 42, 43, L2, N2, N4, N6*
*Closest Bikeshare: 18th and M St. NW*
Press interested in attending the event are asked to RSVP to [email protected].
The DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment will provide a live feed of this event. To view the event, visit mayor.dc.gov/live, tune in on Channel 16 (DCN), or watch on Mayor Bowser’s Facebook or X.
Mayor Bowser X: @MayorBowser
Mayor Bowser Instagram: @Mayor_Bowser
Mayor Bowser Facebook: facebook.com/MayorMurielBowser
Mayor Bowser YouTube: https://www.bit.ly/eomvideos