SMS 2004-05 Work Plan

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Peoples Drug Store No. 1, Southeast Corner of 7th Street and Massachusetts Avenue, NW, c. 1922: From the Library of Congress

SMS 2004-05 Work Plan

The Shaw Main Streets Board of Directors approved the 2004-05 Work Plan for SMS on June 16, 2004. Under this work plan some of the current projects of SMS include a streetscape photographic project for commercial revitalization design, planning, and marketing; a building survey program to inventory, computerize and track all commercial parcels in the target area; a business directory; the development of several other business promotional tools including the publishing of a quarterly newsletter, presentation of public events to bring attention to the commercial area of Shaw, the recruitment of volunteers to work on commercial revitalization and training programs; the cataloguing of business funding and incentive programs; commercial district streetscape improvement and clean-up campaigns; and business outreach providing technical assistance, training, and guidance on small business development. A full listing of the 2004-05 Work Plan is presented below.

Organization Committee:

Create a Membership Program (“Friends of Shaw Main Streets”) with different dues levels.
Develop a project-oriented Fund-Raising Strategy for Shaw Main Streets sustainability based on work plan priorities.
Develop a strategy for an on-going Corridor Business Outreach program in the 7th & 9th Street commercial corridors.

Promotion Committee:

Website – The Promotion Committee developed a project plan for a new SMS website. COMPLETED.
Rack card/brochure – The Promotion Committee developed a project plan and appointed a subcommittee chair to create a rack card for SMS. The rack card will provide a general overview of SMS and its function, as well as provide contact information. Development of the brochure, which will be an expanded version of the rack card, will follow.
Quarterly newsletter/monthly update – We will continue to publish our quarterly newsletter on SMS and hope to begin soon to distribute electronically a monthly update. We have located a person to chair the newsletter subcommittee.
Promotion Event – We plan to hold an arts and restaurant event to promote SMS and raise money in either October or November 2004. COMPLETED.
Dining/Arts Guide – We plan to launch a dining/arts guide that describes restaurants and arts venues in Shaw. We are in the process of finding a subcommittee chair for the project and developing a project plan.
Business Development “Meet and Greet” – A longer-term goal of the Committee is to hold a business development “meet and greet.” We would sponsor this event with another SMS committee (probably Economic Revitalization). The purpose of the event is to bring together business owners, property owners, developers, and entrepreneurs to show them potential opportunities within the commercial corridors. We also would apprise participants of the various assistance SMS might be able to render.
Farmer’s Market – Towards the end of the work plan period, the Promotion Committee would like to be in a position to begin a farmers market. We may consider holding some sort of regular market other than a farmers market. Giant may be of assistance to SMS; accordingly, we may not want to compete against them.
Annual House Tour – Work with other SMS Committees in an ad hoc Committee structure to plan and conduct the annual Shaw Main Streets House Tour.
Design, construct, and keep updated a Poster Describing Shaw Main Streets and its accomplishments for presentation at meetings/conferences.

Design Committee:

Do a Photographic Inventory and Streetscape Mural for each block of the 7th and 9th Street corridors for planning and marketing purposes.
Develop and publish a Commercial Façade Design/Historic Preservation Guide Brochure for educating local businesses and property owners about the restrictions and obligations imposed by historic district or landmark status on what is allowed to be done to their buildings. Much of the text for this brochure will be provided by DC Historic Preservation Office staff. This project will be able to be emulated by other DC Main Streets local programs.
Inventory of Storefronts along 7th and 9th Street corridors that need façade improvements to provide data for development of “Façade Improvement” funding application to DHCD for the Shaw commercial corridor.
Design and install SMS Recognition Street Banners along commercial corridors.
Execute Shaw Historic Call Box program with community partners and Art on Call program. Obtain replacement parts for police and fire call boxes adopted, paint call boxes using a consistent color scheme, and install bronze plaques describing neighborhood history to help promote community pride and heritage tourism.
Plan, fund, and implement a “Clean & Green” Team to also serve as Shaw Ambassadors. Project needs to be sustainable. Will positively impact cleanliness, public safety, the pedestrian experience, build relationships with business owners, and promote local businesses.
Play a leadership role in Developing Streetscape Standards for 7th and 9th Streets and working with DDOT to implement streetscape improvements. Conduct community meetings on design in conjunction with DDOT, and work with other community stakeholder groups and public officials to get improvements scheduled and completed.
Serve as sponsor for expansion of Shaw Historic District to the Shaw East survey area. Demolition and inappropriate alteration are having a devastating impact on the historic character of the area bounded by 7th Street, Florida Avenue, New Jersey Avenue, and N Street, NW. DC Historic Preservation Office will handle preparation of nomination, but SMS will need to perform community outreach and gather support for the nomination.

Economic Revitalization Committee:

Establish a relationship (with SMS representation) with the Ward 1 and Ward 2 Core Teams to enhance partnerships in 7th and 9th Street revitalization.
Design, collect data on, and computerize, maintain, and track Commercial Corridor Property Inventory.
Expand the Shaw Main Streets’ Small Business Development Assistance program.
• training
• roundtable networking
• small grants program
• business promotion (initial business directory)
• technical assistance
Plan and conduct Surveys for Needed Data Collection on the Commercial Corridor:
• survey of what businesses in the corridor need to be sustainable
• survey of business real estate brokers needs to effectively market the Shaw commercial area
Develop a strategy for on-going Corridor Business Outreach program that might model the old community organizing “Block Captain” approach to business outreach (SMS “eyes & ears” volunteers) for each block in the 7th and 9th Street commercial corridors. SMS volunteers will take the responsibility for being the liaisons between SMS and the businesses and property owners on specific blocks, keeping them updated on SMS activities and initiatives, regularly obtaining their input and feedback, and soliciting their involvement.

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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 7th 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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