SMS Accomplishments

DID YOU KNOW?
In the summer of 1935, the first of the streetcar lines were abandoned in favor of bus substitutes. This marked the beginning of the decline of electric railway vehicles fostered by the rapid growth of suburban populations after WWII and the growth in the use of private automobiles, with the availability of fuel and rubber for tires.

Accomplishments

Shaw Main Streets works with residents, business and property owners, civic and business associations, universities, foundations, corporations, community development organizations, and DC government to facilitate establishment of a self-sufficient neighborhood business district in central Shaw. Because of this organizational approach, SMS has been able to gain a 5-year commitment of partial funding from DC government. We are now well positioned to seek additional financial/technical assistance in community capacity building.

Shaw Main Streets, Inc. (SMS) is accomplishing its mission through its on-going support and strengthening of existing neighborhood businesses and recruiting of new businesses that are socially responsible and meet the needs of the community.

Over the past two years, there have been many notable accomplishments. Some highlights include:

a Taste of Shaw event focusing on restaurants and clubs on the 1900 block of 9th Street, NW in October 2004
establishment of monthly Shaw Main Street Night events highlighting businesses in our commercial corridors;
an historic house tour of the community in October 2003;
publication of a free Shaw Historic Bike Tour brochure, in cooperation with Shaw EcoVillage Project’s EcoDesign Corps;
several community workshops on Shaw Main Streets’ program to seek consultation on public needs and opinions regarding commercial revitalization;
an annual Black History Month Celebration;
three 10-week series of training sessions on Small Business Development;
a community forum on major development projects in Shaw that attracted over 70 participants;
two annual meetings highlighting progress of SMS that also highlighted the old Dunbar Theatre and Maya Angelou Public Charter School;
the publication of quarterly newsletters with distribution of 3,000 copies to the community;
a community-wide “Keep Shaw Beautiful Day” cleanup and greenup event, and a Cherry Blossom Festival tree planting to highlight the Kennedy Recreation Center;
a public consultation meeting that attracted more than 70 stakeholders to develop a long-term vision for the Shaw area;
supported a variety of community activities, including the Shaw Bike Festival, National Night Out events, and establishment of the Shaw Skate Park; and
a Community Action Forum attended by more than 30 Shaw stakeholders to develop specific projects that will begin to address the community’s vision for Shaw.

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NEW: Check out photos from recent Shaw Main Streets events in our Photo Album.

Check out the SMS Winter 2005-2006 Newsletter .... download it.

New Businesses on 7^th an 9th Streets, NW…Read More Here.

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1426 9^th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001-3330 ---- Phone: (202) 265- SHAW ---- Fax: (202) 265-7529 ---- info@shawmainstreets.com

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