DC Great Streets & New Communities Initiatives Outlined

On Wednesday, May 18, 2005, the Washington, DC Marketing Center hosted DC Initiatives: Great Streets, New Communities and Neighborhood Retail Opportunities.

Held at Atlantic Video Studios, the event attracted more than 150 attendees, mostly developers, real estate professionals, investors and those with an interest in the District’s neighborhoods. The featured speakers were Robert Bobb, DC City Administrator, Stanley Jackson, Deputy Mayor of Planning and Economic Development, Dan Tangherlini, Director, District Department of Transportation and Michael Stevens, president and CEO, Washington, DC Marketing Center.

City Administrator Robert Bobb introduced the District’s New Communities Initiative, which aims to improve the physical, as well as social infrastructure of the lower income neighborhoods by protecting housing for lower income residents, promoting mixed income communities and create opportunities through better jobs. Sursum Corda is the first neighborhood selected for redevelopment under the New Communities Initiative. Through community-wide work sessions known as a charette, residents are working directly with District government officials to revitalize the area into an attractive neighborhood that provides public investment through public facilities like libraries and recreation centers.

Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development Stan Jackson gave an overview of the District Great Streets Initiative, with the goal of making the city’s major corridors clean, safe and attractive destinations that reflect the unique character of the surrounding community. H Street, NE- Benning Road will be the first corridor to experience improvements under the Great Streets Initiative. The changes will encompass North Capitol and Southern Avenue. Work is expected to begin this year.

The District’s Department of Transportation is an integral part of the Great Streets Initiative. DDOT Director Dan Tangherlini cited 8th Street, SE in Barracks Row as an example of how the Great Streets Initiative will benefit communities and the city. Improvements were underway for 8th Street between 2003 and 2004, with a total of $8 million in public investment in streetscape improvements. Since the completion of streetscapes on 8th Street, 32 new businesses have opened, including nine new outdoor cafes and an additional $80,000 in sales taxes reported.

The event also marked the release of the Washington, DC Marketing Center’s newest publication, The 2005 Neighborhood Retail Opportunities Guide. To receive a copy of the publication, contact 202-661-8670.

For more information on upcoming Washington, DC Marketing Center events, go to the event calendar or call 202-661-8670.

To download the Great Streets & New Communities presentation please click here.