NoMa Notes: City Updates

Mayor Bowser announced effective immediately that masks are mandatory to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The order requires mask-wearing outdoors and indoors, including in common areas of apartments and condos and in office buildings, retail establishments and restaurants. All businesses must post signage on exterior doors stating that a person may not enter or remain unless wearing a mask. Employers are required to provide masks to employees. To review full order and exemptions, please click here.

Metro has updated their recovery plan to begin the re-entry phase in August. The agency is ramping up service and estimating that full service levels will resume in Spring 2021.

Starting August 16th, Metrorail will:
>  Open at 5 AM weekdays, 7 AM Saturdays, 8 AM Sundays and close daily at 11 PM;
>  Red line trains will operate every 5 minutes during weekday peak periods and every 12 minutes at all other times; Other train lines will operate every 8 minutes during peak periods and 15 minutes at all other times;
>  Resume charging for parking at Metro lots.

Starting August 23rd, Metrobus will:
>  Begin operating from 4 AM and end at midnight;
>  Continue rear door boarding and no fare collection.

To protect customers and employees from COVID-19, face coverings are required on Metrorail and Metrobus. To assist late-night workers, Metro will expand the After-Hours Ride-Hailing Program from $3 to $6 for qualified workers to use toward a shared ride on Lyft for trips between their home and workplace between midnight and 4 AM. Eligible workers may apply here.

NoMa is bolstered by the strength and contributions of those in our community. The NoMa BID’s annual Partner of the Year Awards honor those who go above and beyond to make our neighborhood flourish. This year’s winners are:
•    Community Partner Conor Shaw, President, Eckington Civic Association
•    Public Sector Partner Jeff Marootian and Amanda Stout, DDOT
•    Private Sector Partners Laos in Town and Sweet Science Coffee.
Join us in giving a virtual round of applause to the winners whose actions helped make NoMa even more dazzling, delightful and delicious! Learn more about their contributions on our LinkedIn page.

Seeking shady summer dining options? Meander over to King Street Oyster Bar on the NoMa Meander. This cafe on this mid-block pedestrian plaza is the perfect spot for socially distanced dining, and the restaurant has added new summer salads, yummy entrees and curated cocktail specials. They’re following all safety protocols and ask that you wear a mask unless eating or drinking.

Looking for a way to keep your little ones calm, cool and connected this summer? Join our weekly children’s story hour on Zoom Monday nights at 7 PM. Blue Sky Puppet Theatre actors put on a great show as they lead your kids in reading, games and sing-a-longs. Recommended for children ages 8 and under. Visit our Events page to learn more and register to attend here.

If the summer heat is impacting your outdoor exercise routine, join our #NoMaFIT free Zoom classes to stay fit and cool. Every Tuesday night at 6:30 PM, join NUBOXX instructors for a vigourous workout, or tryout out barre class with Yoga Noma on Wednesday, July 29 at 7:30 PM! There’s a special treat in store after your workout, as our partner Smoothie King at 77 H Street NE or 2350 Washington Place NE is offering the NoMaFIT Special, 20% off a 32 oz. or larger smoothie (redeemable any day except Fridays). Visit our Events page for details.

Have you visited NoMa’s newest park yet? Alethia Tanner Park, 227 Harry Thomas Way NE, offers something for everyone, with a great children’s playground, picnic tables, a huge grassy lawn and a dedicated dog park. As you reconnect with neighbors and friends, be sure to wear a mask, watch your distance, observe park rules, and limit your time in the playground or dog park if others are waiting. Dogs are welcome off-leash in the dog park, but not on the lawn. Be sure to tag @noma.bid in your Instagram posts and use hashtag #alethiatannerpark so we can repost!