EBOL is committed to the
revitalization of the Kennedy Street which is a part of our target
area and the Brightwood Community. We are strong proponents of
affordable and low income housing and would not like to see any
residents displaced as a result of this revitalization initiative.
EBOL is making great strides in crime and drug prevention, homeless
outreach and housing, and small business development. Currently,
with the financial support of the Department of Housing and
Community Development (DHCD), we have a Façade Improvement Program
and a Crime and Drug Prevention program.
Also, we have leveraged Neighborhood Investment Funds from the
District’s Office of Planning and Economic Development and funds
from DHCD to implement programs for Commercial Corridor and Small
Business Development Program. In addition to small business
technical assistance, we were instrumental in organizing the Beacon
Brightwood Business Alliance (BBBA) to give Brightwood businesses a
consistent united voice and advocacy that has been lacking in this
part of the city. We are so proud that the Alliance is also giving
testimony this evening.
Last year we began “Clean, Green, Safe Initiative” with NIF funds
that employs homeless individuals to clean up commercial corridors
in Brightwood focusing on Kennedy Street and Georgia Avenue. This
initiative also has a graffiti awareness and removal component. The
“Beacon Clean Team,” as we call them is uniformed and visible on the
corridors. We are especially proud that this program will not only
give employment and training, but also result in cleaner, safer
streets in the Brightwood community.
It is our hope that the revitalization will stay true to a major
policy recommendation mentioned in the background section of the
document to 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 the residents.” We join in with the Beacon
Brightwood Business Alliance in desiring the retention and
improvement existing businesses on the Kennedy Street Corridor. We
support the public private partnership initiatives discussed in the
plan that will be necessary to bring this to fruition.
Included in the plan are things that all of us who live and work in
Brightwood would like to see such as the open areas along the
corridor for seating with adequate landscaping and additional trees;
a solution to the parking problems; explore the possibility of new
retail including a grocer and full service restaurants. All of these
things would take place in an improved physical, social and economic
environment as outlined from the workshops in the plan.
We hope that the implementation of the revitalization of Kennedy
Street will be put on the fast track and not get weighed down in the
bureaucracy. Some programs can be phased in while funding for others
is sought, such as DHCD’s storefront improvement program that could
give existing thriving businesses a face lift!
We also know from past experience that revitalization of this
corridor will require the cooperation of all of the city agencies
that provide infrastructure as well as protective services.
Regardless of the revitalization initiative, more attention needs to
be given to the improvement of the present condition of the Kennedy
Street Corridor.
We want Kennedy Street as a part of the Brightwood community to
become a place where residents can safely walk the streets with
shops and restaurants that appeal to the people who live here. We
want people from other parts of the city to come to Brightwood and
shop because it has something to offer. Most of all we want to be a
community that attracts new businesses and new families. We value
our diversity and want to maintain it with each new venture.
The Beacon of Light along with Emory United Methodist Church will
make every effort to support any initiatives that make our
neighborhood a better place to work, worship and live.
Thank you for this opportunity. I would be happy to entertain
questions.