News

Residents no longer blinded by the blight

Revitalization of Georgia Avenue begins to take shape with storefront improvements

BY JAMES RUSSELL

Residents of Takoma DC and Shepherd Park have grown accustomed to the sight of abandoned buildings and dilapidated storefronts along Georgia Avenue. What is considered by many to be "Washington's Main Street" has also been plagued by a long history of crime and drug abuse that has hampered attempts at economic development.

But some residents and government leaders are optimistic that things are turning around. In late June, an abandoned Roy Rogers restaurant that had sat vacant for over a decade was demolished to make room for a new drug store, scheduled to open this November. Local news media picked up on the groundbreaking ceremony as a sign that revitalization was beginning along the avenue, south of the Maryland border.

"There will be a new CVS, and that will be targeted to the community. And that, along with a number of other things, show that we are making progress," Councilman Adrian Fenty told NBC4, referring to new sit-down restaurants and other developments.

Leading the charge for renewal is the Gateway-Georgia Avenue Revitalization Corporation (GGARC), a community development corporation launched in 1997 to spearhead revitalization along Georgia Avenue. The group is working hard to renovate local businesses through its Storefront Improvement Program, which provides up to $12,000 in matching grants to help business owners renovate the exterior of their stores.

For example, Gateway strongly encourages businesses to remove their solid, roll-down security grates–a symbol of blighted neighborhoods. GGARC funding can be used for new electronic security systems or other improvements such as exterior painting, repairing doors and entrances, refurbishing or replacing storefront window systems, or new signs and lighting displays.

"The first step toward revitalization is to eliminate the string of blighted storefronts that dominate Georgia Avenue from Fern to Eastern," according to Marc Loud, President of the GGARC. "Investors do not typically invest in run-down commercial corridors dominated by security bars on each business storefront and window. You cannot go from blight to Borders [bookstore] without an interim phase, no matter how well-intentioned you are."

To date, 14 new storefronts have been completed in the 7300 block of Georgia Avenue, including the Silver Sands Restaurant, Discount Auto Insurance, and the El Tamarindo Café, a popular Mexican eatery franchise. Another 25 stores are awaiting either the necessary permits to begin construction this summer or final approval from Gateway.

GGARC has also taken the lead in beautifying the streets and sidewalks along Georgia Avenue. The group has landscaped 38 tree boxes, organized merchants into a "Gateway Clean Team," and partnered with business owners to purchase 29 lamppost banners, to be installed this month.

Councilman Fenty has pledged continued support for the project. In a message to the Takoma DC listserv, he wrote, "The D.C. Government will continue to support Gateway with initiatives like façade renovations, tax incentives, and funds for site acquisition."

Loud says the group plans to work hard in the coming months to attract a bookstore and ice cream parlor to the corridor, to increase parking, and to promote new investment and construction in the area.

Residents of Takoma DC, Shepherd Park, and Silver Spring can get involved by e-mailing the GGARC at gatewaycdc@aol.com or visiting www.gatewaycdc.com to learn more about its programs. GGARC always looking for support and expertise in graphic design, IT, landscaping, and general clerical support.