713.1 Part of growing an inclusive District involves improving access to basic goods and services for all residents of Washington, DC. 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 District, these services exist but are poorly sited and do not provide a strong sense of community identity.

713.2 Commercial districts such as 14^th and U Street NW have reemerged 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. The market feasibility of each commercial area is evaluated based on a number of factors, including architectural design and character, lot and block patterns, property ownership, surrounding uses, market competition, community support, accessibility, traffic and parking, and the mix of existing businesses.

713.3 To sustain viable commercial centers, it is essential that the District 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. Transportation accessibility improvements are particularly important for increasing retail districts’ customer bases while minimizing neighborhood disruption. The District operates a number of programs with these objectives. For example, the Great Streets initiative is a multi-agency commercial revitalization initiative to support existing small businesses, attract new businesses, and transform emerging corridors. In addition, the DC Main Streets Program supports small business development through technical support.

713.4 Ultimately, the success of each neighborhood commercial district will depend on private investment, cooperation among merchants and property owners, and consumer support. Community-based organizations (e.g., Main Streets) and business improvement districts assist through the services they provide and the local business enterprises they support. The government assists by providing technical assistance, financial incentives, and support to merchant associations, and by coordinating its revitalization programs with those of the private and nonprofit sectors.

See the Framework Element (Generalized Policy Map) for additional information about the District’s commercial centers, including neighborhood centers, multi-neighborhood centers, regional centers, and Main Street mixed-use corridors.

See the Land Use Element for additional information about the District’s land use and development policies in neighborhood business districts.

713.5 Policy ED-3.1.1: Neighborhood Commercial Vitality Promote the vitality and diversity of Washington, DC's neighborhood commercial areas by retaining existing businesses, attracting new businesses, supporting a strong customer base through residential density, and improving the mix of goods and services available to residents.See the Housing Element for additional information about the District's housing policies.713.6 Policy ED-3.1.2: Targeting Commercial Revitalization Continue to target government economic development programs to areas of greatest need and historically neglected areas, including older business areas with high vacancy rates and commercial centers that inadequately serve surrounding areas. Commercial revitalization should focus on serving existing neighborhood residents and opportunities to support resident-owned businesses. Focus on equitably achieving critical mass to sustain viable neighborhood commercial centers, recognizing that critical mass may vary according to zoning and historical investments.713.7 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 or rapidly changing neighborhoods.713.8 Policy ED-3.1.4: Assistance for Community-Based Development Encourage a network of active and effective neighborhood-based community development organizations, particularly those serving communities of color. The District should assist these 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 District's overall planning and economic development initiatives.713.9 Policy ED-3.1.5: Leveraging Private Investment Leverage public resources to attract private sector investments through techniques including ground leases, design build contracts, maintenance and operations agreements, licensing agreements, and 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.713.10 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.

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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 to acquire equity shares in new development. Emphasize opportunities for residents and communities that have not previously been able to access equity investments.

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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. Additionally, encourage unique retail clusters where appropriate.

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Action ED-3.1.A: Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization

Expand commercial revitalization programs such as tax financing structures, Great Streets, and the DC Main Streets Program to include additional commercial districts, particularly in the northeast and southeast quadrants of the District. Use the commercial revitalization programs to increase the stability of small and locally owned businesses by helping them adapt to demographic and market changes. Review District Main Streets and Great Streets programs from a racial equity lens to consider where they are located and barriers to start-up; who is, and who is not, served by these districts; and for those districts serving communities of color, any funding, grant allocation, or structural barriers.

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Action ED-3.1.B: Integrating Cultural Events and Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization

Promote the vitality and diversity of the District’s neighborhood commercial corridors through heritage and cultural tours, festivals, and other events.

See also The Arts and Culture Element for additional information on placemaking.

SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996

)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).