D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10, r. 10-A713
Part of growing an inclusive city involves improving access to basic goods and services for residents in all parts of the city. Currently, some areas of the District lack basic amenities such as grocery stores, hardware stores, drug stores, and dry cleaners. In other parts of the city, these services exist but they are poorly sited and do not provide the sense of community identity that they could. 713.1
Recently, commercial districts such as U Street have re-emerged as walkable shopping areas, with new development reinforcing the traditional pedestrian pattern. Other commercial districts have not fared as well. This is especially true along long arterial streets, and in neighborhoods where certain commercial uses are in oversupply or are causing problems. The future market feasibility of each commercial area should be evaluated based on a number of factors, including architectural design and character, lot and block patterns, property ownership, surrounding uses, market competition, community support, traffic and parking, and the mix of existing businesses.
Commercial districts such as U Street have re-emerged as walkable shopping areas, with new development reinforcing the traditional pedestrian pattern.
To sustain viable commercial centers, it is essential that the city provide the police and fire protection, street and sidewalk maintenance, lighting, sanitation, and code enforcement services necessary to ensure the health and safety of merchants, residents, and shoppers. Transit and parking improvements are particularly important to improve access and minimize neighborhood disruption. The District is currently implementing a number of programs with these objectives. For example, the Great Streets initiative is focusing on capital improvements such as street lighting and tree planting. The Restore DC Main Street program is focusing on small business development and technical support. 713.3
Ultimately, the success of each neighborhood commercial district will depend on private investment and cooperation among merchants and property owners. Community development corporations and business improvement districts can assist through the services they provide and the local business enterprises they support. The city can assist by providing technical assistance, financial incentives, and support to merchant associations, and by coordinating its revitalization programs with those of the private and non-profit sectors. 713.4
See the Framework Element (Generalized Policy Map) for a discussion of the District's commercial centers, including neighborhood centers, multineighborhood centers, regional centers, and Main Street mixed use corridors.
See the Land Use Element for a discussion of the District's land use and development policies in neighborhood business districts.
Policy ED-3.1.1: Neighborhood Commercial Vitality
Promote the vitality and diversity of Washington's neighborhood commercial areas by retaining existing businesses, attracting new businesses, and improving the mix of goods and services available to residents. 713.5
Policy ED-3.1.2: Targeting Commercial Revitalization
Continue to target government economic development programs to areas of greatest need, including older business areas and commercial centers that inadequately serve surrounding areas. Focus on those areas where the critical mass needed to sustain a viable neighborhood commercial center can be achieved. 713.6
Policy ED-3.1.3: Commercial District Associations
Encourage business improvement districts, merchant associations, Main Street organizations, and other commercial associations that enhance economic development and commercial revitalization efforts, particularly in underserved and/or rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods.
Policy ED-3.1.4: Assistance for CDCs
Encourage a network of active and effective community development corporations (CDCs) and similar neighborhood-based economic development groups. The District should assist CDCs and similar organizations in acquiring the necessary technical and financial skills to participate in neighborhood revitalization projects. It should integrate the work of such groups into the city's overall planning and economic development initiatives. 713.8
The Restore DC Main Street program has helped revitalize the Barracks Row commercial district.
Policy ED-3.1.5: Public-Private Partnerships
Leverage the expenditure of public funds to produce private sector investments, including joint development on publicly-owned land and redevelopment in areas considered to be high risks by investors. Support the involvement of local community development corporations in commercial development and revitalization efforts within these areas. 713.9
Policy ED-3.1.6: Revitalization Planning
Link commercial revitalization strategies to capital budget priorities and larger neighborhood and transportation investment plans, including programs to improve transit to neighborhood centers. 713.10
Policy ED-3.1.7: Community Equity Investment
Provide opportunities for community equity investment in local economic development projects. This may include methods of business financing that provide District residents with greater opportunities for equity shares in new development. 713.11
Policy ED-3.1.8: Neighborhood Retail District Identity and Promotion
Brand the distinct character of retail districts through signature promotional events, signage, streetscape, and district gateways, as well as building unique clusters where appropriate.
Action ED-3.1.A: Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization
Expand commercial revitalization programs such as tax increment financing, Great Streets, and the District's Main Street program to include additional commercial districts, particularly in the northeast and southeast quadrants of the city. 713.12
See also Action ED-2.2-A on the Retail Action Agenda.
The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9 a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10, r. 10-A713