SMS Background

DID YOU KNOW?
In 1890, the Washington & Georgetown Railroad provided a cable car line for 7th Street. It followed the earlier horse route for the area. It has speed up to 9.9mph. and included 28 trains which ran from 5am to 1am each day. The last cable car operated until 1899.

Background

Long-time residents remember a wide range of goods, services, and entertainment options available in Shaw. Not only did neighborhood residents patronize these businesses, but people from the surrounding region traveled here to shop, eat, and be entertained. Following the 1968 riots the Shaw commercial district declined. Metro construction further exacerbated the situation.

The construction of the new Washington Convention Center, an $850 million project opening in 2003, at the south end of the Shaw commercial district and new dining/entertainment options and tourist attractions as a destination district along U Street at the north end, are now drawing developers as well as potential retailers. Residents welcome this, but are concerned that unless a holistic process is applied that integrates the overall revitalization of the entire district as the ultimate goal, only piecemeal progress will occur, gentrification will dominate, and existing residents and businesses will be displaced.

It is critical that commercial revitalization activities be supported by the comprehensive, community-driven strategy represented by the Main Street Four Point Approach offered by SMS so that small, local commercial development is a priority such that people are intricately linked to Shaw businesses as employees and consumers.

In May of 2003, Shaw Main Streets, Inc. (SMS) was awarded a $240,000 grant over five-years from the District of Columbia (DC). This grant was in response to a clear community-defined top priority for commercial revitalization within the northwest section of DC along 7th and 9th Streets.

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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 and 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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