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Bringing New Businesses to 7th and 9th Streets and the O Street Market The Past Both 7th and 9th Streets in Shaw were long among the busiest commercial corridors in the District of Columbia. From the time the neighborhood developed during and following the Civil War until the devastating April 1968 riots and their aftermath, the businesses that lined these streets were patronized by neighborhood residents and commuters alike. The streetcar lines that ran along 7th and 9th Streets brought thousands of people each day through Shaws commercial corridor on their way to and from downtown jobs. This combination of community residents and visitors formed a vibrant clientele for these businesses, which ranged from baked goods and furniture to lumber and shoes. Entertainment options also abounded along these streets, including movie theatres, restaurants, and nightclubs featuring live performances. A commercial downturn that began with the move to the suburbs after World War II, exacerbated by the reduced dependence on streetcars for transportation in the 1950s, was intensified by the 1968 riots. Scores of buildings in Shaw were burned to the ground, and others were so damaged that they had to be demolished. Owners decided not to rebuild, and in the decades that followed, higher density housing, often without any ground floor retail, was constructed where businesses once stood.
The Present and The Future The construction of the new Washington Convention Center in Shaw and emergence of new dining and entertainment options and tourist attractions along U Street, NW, are drawing developers interested in renovating long vacant commercial structures, as well as retailers interested in occupying these buildings, back to our historic commercial corridors. And several major development parcels along 7th and 9th Street controlled by the National Capital Revitalization Corporation will soon have requests for proposals issued for their redevelopment. Neighborhood residents have spoken out about the types of businesses they would like to see in our community. Responding to surveys, they have listed as some of their priorities banks, hardware stores, sit-down restaurants and delicatessens, coffee shops, bookstores, video stores, movie theaters, newsstands, and opticians.
First Step: Ask People What They Want The efforts to revitalize the 7th and 9th Street commercial corridors began with a public meeting held on November 1, 2000, organized by Alex Padro, where community residents heard Wayne Dixon of Urban Partners describe how Logan Circle residents convinced Fresh Fields to build a new store on the 1400 block of P Street, NW. Wayne and his colleagues explained that attracting new retail businesses requires a lot of hard work, but it can be done if the community bands together. One of the first steps in the process is to survey community residents' opinions about the types of retail businesses and services they'd like to see in the area, and what types of business are not needed. A survey prepared by Commissioner Padro was distributed and completed by the attendees. Click here to get a copy of the Shaw Retail Preference Survey. If you would like to add your input, please complete the questionnaire and e-mail it to Commissioner Padro. You can also print out the form and give copies to friends and neighbors to complete. Remember: if we don't take the initiative, someone else will make the decisions for us, decisions we'll have to live with for a long time.
Second Step: Get Organized It was clear that a new group was needed to organize all community stakeholders to work together to to promote the economic development of Shaws commercial corridors in a manner that meets the needs and desires of the communitys residents and existing businesses and preserves the history and architecture of existing structures. Shaw residents and community leaders, led by Commissioner Padro, founded Shaw Main Streets in March 2002 to ensure that: infrastructure improvements along the entire commercial district are made in a coordinated manner; technical assistance to current merchants increases their ability to remain in business during the revitalization process; marketing and promotion generate the foot traffic needed in order to boost sales for current and new businesses; and the historic appearance and character of the commercial corridors is preserved. Shaw Main Streets wants to: Support and strengthen neighborhood businesses currently operating in Shaw. Attract new businesses and jobs to the Shaw community. Provide residents of Shaw with retail establishments that offer the goods and services that they and visitors need and want.
Help keep dollars in the neighborhood and the District.
Strengthen the perception of the Shaw neighborhood as an historic and safe community.
Restore the 7th and 9th Street commercial corridors to the prominence that they historically held.
A Community Driven Effort Based on the national Main Street Program model developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Shaw Main Streets staff and skilled volunteers working in committees will further the organizations mission through strategic planning, including the establishment of development priorities, community outreach and surveys, business support, marketing, and fundraising activities. Residents and volunteers from businesses, property owners, and other community stakeholders will work on activities designed to spur community-oriented economic growth. The organization has significant accomplishments to date. In preparing its application for the DC Main Streets program, Shaw Main Streets volunteers conducted an assessment of the 7 th and 9th Street commercial corridors. As part of that assessment, volunteers went door to door to speak with business owners about their needs. In addition, volunteers assembled information on the numbers and types of existing businesses, the availability of parking and the accessibility of support services for businesses, as well as reviewed earlier studies economic revitalization in Shaws commercial corridors prepared by the District government and other community organizations.
Our Success Depends on You Shaw Main Streets is a comprised of neighborhood residents, business and property owners, and representatives of non-profit and faith-based organizations, all working together for the economic revitalization of central Shaw. The area covered is bounded by New Jersey Avenue at the east, 11th Street at the west, K Street at the south, and Florida Avenue/U Street at the north. Volunteers work on a variety of tasks in committees, based on their interests and expertise. The committees include organization, design, promotion, and economic restructuring. Others interested in participating in Shaw Main Streets work but who are unable to commit to serving on committees can still have a voice in decision-making by attending public meetings, responding to surveys, and volunteering in other ways. Ask to be added to the Shaw Main Streets mailing list in order to ensure you are advised of the organizations ongoing activities and progress. Visit www.shawmainstreets.com for details. For more information, contact Commissioner Padro at 202-518-3794 or PadroANC2C@aol.com.
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Webmaster: Pleasant P. Mann 1519 Eighth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001-3205 • 202-518-3794 • Fax: 202-518-0078 • E-mail: PadroAnc2C@aol.com • Website: http://members.aol.com/PadroANC2C Unless otherwise indicated, all contents 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 Alexander M. Padro. All rights reserved. |