DC News: Downtown Development & Taxi Meters

Mayor Fenty Announces Redevelopment Plans for Old Convention Center Site

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty recently announced that the District has agreed to lease part of the old convention center site to development company Hines-Archstone. Plans for the new development, named CityCenter DC, include a four-star, 400-room high-end hotel along with dozens of new retail shops and restaurants, on the 10-acre downtown site, located between New York Avenue and 9th, H and 11th Streets.

"It is time we start calling this place what it is, our City Center," said Mayor Fenty. "CityCenter DC is going to be a true retail and entertainment destination - the heart and soul of our dynamic new downtown."

Adding to DC's vibrant downtown, the new development will include 350,000 square feet of retail, nearly 700 apartments and condos, plus parks and entertainment areas that will be used for markets and festivals. Groundbreaking is expected to take place by January 2009. Click here to read the full press release.

DC's taxi cabs have now transitioned from a zone system to a meter system. The rates for time and distance meters are as follows:

• The base fare is $3, plus 25 cents for every one-sixth of a mile after the first sixth of a mile traveled.
• For every minute stopped in traffic or traveled under ten miles per hour, there will be a charge of 25 cents per minute.
• All other rates and surcharges, such as those for additional passengers and rush hour, will still apply.
• The maximum fare for all trips within the District is $19.

Although the official deadline for the transition has passed, you may encounter a cab operating without a meter. Drivers operating unmetered cabs are subject to a $1,000 fine. If you wish to file a complaint against an unmetered cab, you should obtain the taxicab driver's name, company and license number and report it to the DC Taxicab Commission at (202) 645-6018 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .