D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10, r. 10-A2214
Kennedy Street NW spans the Brightwood Park and South Manor Park neighborhoods. The street is mixed use in character, with low-density storefront commercial uses, as well as residential uses. Apartment buildings, rowhouses and single-family detached homes line the streets immediately adjacent to the corridor and parts of Kennedy Street itself. The street also serves as one of the few east-west transit routes in the Rock Creek East Planning Area. 2214.1
During the last several years, the District has targeted resources to the area for crime prevention, community clean-up, and public safety. This has generated interest in the area and attracted new residents. While the neighborhoods surrounding the corridor are quite stable, demographic changes have altered the kinds of retail services that are needed. Typical businesses on the corridor currently include convenience stores, beauty/ barber shops and carry-outs. Over the next two decades, Kennedy Street should evolve into a more vibrant mixed use shopping area, with vacant storefronts reoccupied once again and new opportunities for local-serving businesses. The success of existing businesses also should be encouraged as this revival occurs. 2214.2
The diverse population in the Brightwood area provides an opportunity to bolster the tenant mix and attract new mixed-use development. Because of existing services, such as the recently built Hattie B. Holmes Senior Wellness Center at the 300 block of Kennedy Street, new mixed-use development, with street activated uses and mixed-income housing above, will catalyze revitalization along the corridor.
Policy RCE-2.4.1: Kennedy Street Improvement
Improve Kennedy Street between Georgia Avenue and 1st Street NW as a locally-oriented neighborhood shopping street. A distinct identity should be created for the street in order to boost the performance of existing businesses and attract new businesses to the vacant storefronts on the corridor. 2214.4
Policy RCE-2.4.2: Housing along Kennedy Street
Encourage moderate density mixed-use projects along Kennedy Street, including mixed-income housing to serve all generations of residents in the neighborhood.
Action RCE-2.4.A: Kennedy Street Strategic Development Plan
Develop a small area plan and implementation strategy focused on vacant and underutilized commercial properties along Kennedy Street. The Plan should identify the potential for new and expanded residential, commercial and mixed use development, and should include actions to make the area a more attractive place for local residents to shop. 2214.6
Action RCE-2.4.B: Main Street Designation
Consider the designation of Kennedy Street as a DC Main Street, thereby creating a vehicle for business improvement and technical assistance 2214.7
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10, r. 10-A2214