March’s Mastermind meeting in DC focused much discussion on Member activity, kicking off with news that Phillips Realty Capital took part in financing what may be one of the city’s first deals done using an Opportunity Zone fund. Member Brian Boland and his guest, Temi Dada of EB5 Capital, shared how the deal was structured and how the construction loan will be used to adaptively reuse the old Coast Guard Headquarters. Member Derek Ford shared the Washington DC Economic Partnership’s latest annual Neighborhood Profiles booklet and shared what the partnership is hearing from various retailers, including why Starbucks is closing some locations and why the city has a contentious relationship with Walmart. Other topics of discussion included PACE financing, rising construction costs, and recent news stories about illegally diverted economic development funds in Montgomery County and the potential foreclosure on Donohoe’s former Fannie Mae building on Wisconsin Avenue.