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East of the River Pennsylvania Avenue Revitalization Task Force
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Short/Medium/Long RangePlanning Objectives
The Pennsylvania Avenue Task Force, working with the Office of Planning (OP) and Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has developed a two-pronged strategy to improve the quality of life for the communities that border along the avenue adjacent to Pennsylvania Avenue, Fairlawn, Twining, Dupont Park, Penn-Branch, Hillcrest, Fort Davis and Fairfax Village.
Short-Term Strategy: A highly visible project that be can implemented over the next 6 to 9
months and become a signature project East of the River that builds upon the efforts of a highly motivated
gathering of civic associations, ANC Commissioners and interested citizens. Residents of these
neighborhoods are committed to defining for themselves an appearance and image that accurately reflects
the quality of their neighborhoods and community.
Short Term Improvements While Awaiting Further Investment
Façade Improvements and Beautification of Pennsylvania Avenue
- Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
- The Task Force requests $175,000 for the development of an architectural design for the needed façade improvements and to cover the costs of doing the actual improvements along the avenue from the foot of the Sousa Bridge to 28th Street, SE. The Ward 7 Merchants Association will help organize the businesses and the program could be run through the Marshall Heights Community Development Organization similar to façade programs being implemented elsewhere in the city. The project should be planned and executed within the next 6 to 9 months. This will help sustain the communities' interest and to clearly demonstrate that the city is committed to making improvements along the East of the River side of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. These are self-help communities that are requesting an in-depth involvement by District Government agencies. They also know what it is that they want, and more importantly why they don't want. There are also obvious political benefits to be gained by Mayor Williams due to these citizens being major stakeholders. "Pennsylvania Avenue is America's Main Street". In addition, it is the 3rd or 4th most heavily traveled street within the District of Columbia. In other words we have two excellent marketing tools, location, location, location and traffic volumes that need to have a "good" reason to stop and spend some money on Pennsylvania Avenue East of the river.
- Continued targeting and acquisition of vacant, but rehabable houses by DHCD for the Homestead Program and other programs. The community has surveyed and submitted a list of over thirty properties to DHCD for their review and analysis. These are vacant houses on what are otherwise healthy blocks. Currently, three units are in the acquisition process.
- Accelerated demolition of 2525 Minnesota Ave. by working more closely with the Marshall Heights Community Development Organization (MHCDO) and CIH for the development of new Brick Fronted Townhouses as requested by the Twining Neighborhood. This building has been a blight on the neighborhood for more than 12 years.
- Development of a "comprehensive" plan to address the longstanding problems associated with Fairlawn Avenue. This street which runs adjacent to the CSX Railroad Tracks and is a stones throw from the Anacostia River should be given special and expedited attention by DPW, DDOT, Clean City Coordinator, CSX, MPD, DCRA, DHCD etc. The Fairlawn Civic Association and citizens have been trying to have these problems addressed for many years, perhaps the time has come to work with the Task Force to solve some of these outstanding issues.
- Take the necessary steps to acquire the abandoned Apartment Building at 1501 27th Street Southeast. Have building demolished and create a much needed Mini Municipal Short Term Parking lot for citizens doing business on Pennsylvania Avenue or visiting the Police Substation. Time not to exceed 30 minutes on the Parking Meter. Revenue will generated will pay for upkeep. (This could be a possible "Pilot" concept for other areas of the city>
- Department of Public Works (DPW) District Department of Transportation (DDOT)
Installation of trash cans (approximately 20) at the three commercial nodes:
- Sousa to 28th Street;
- Branch Avenue (Penn Branch Shopping Center to 37th and Pennsylvania); and
- Pennsylvania Avenue and Southern Avenue (Fairfax Village and Fort Davis Shopping Ctrs.)
- Replacement of all damaged and faded street signs.
- Repair or replace the Red Light Camera at Pennsylvania and Minnesota Avenues.
- Install a "Red Light" in front of Engine Company Number 16 as requested as a "safety" measure. The Task Force fully supports this request by Fire Station Personnel.
- Reconstruction of Pennsylvania Avenue starting at the foot of Sousa Bridge to 27TH Street S.E. (Both sides of street are very rough, Wash Board uneven).
- Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Demolition of 2229 Nicholson St., SE. This vacant house has been burned and was the site of the making of pornographic movies. Getting this building razed would be a major victory for the community.
- Implement and sustain more aggressive code enforcement for this area;
- 6th District Police should increase patrols within these neighborhoods. Strictly enforce speeding and illegal turns at intersections. Issue tickets for illegal posters and littering by commuters and pedestrians.
- Better maintain the outward appearance of 6th Police District Substation at 2701 Pennsylvania Avenue. More frequent cutting of grass, shrubbery, washing windows, etc. These neighborhoods worked extremely hard in partnership with the leadership of ANC7B Commissioners to obtain the services provided by this Substation. It is in a highly visible location and must be better maintained by MPD.
Medium and Long Term Strategy
A comprehensive upgrade of the traffic patterns and quality offering of retail opportunities at each
Commercial Node along Pennsylvania Avenue. The Task Force envisions an avenue where utility lines are
underground and Pennsylvania Avenue and Sousa Bridge become more than just a street and bridge to our
neighbors on Capitol Hill, but instead becomes a seamless and cohesive neighborhood/community in a
larger context of "one" city, different communities with a vision to improve on its possibilities.
- Office of Planning (OP) and DPW
Coordination of a comprehensive traffic study and master plan for the avenue with DDOT, OP and DHCD. DPW/DDOT has already stated that Pennsylvania and Minnesota Avenue is the top transportation priority area east of the river.
- National Park Service
- Work with the Office of Planning and the task force to develop a comprehensive and sustainable plan for all Park Service property either on the Avenue or along the boarders of Pennsylvania Avenue.
- Increase patrols by Park Police Officers.
- Provide more information on National Park Service plans for all parks East of the River. Need a one-stop center to obtain information on parks, recreation and entertainment within all parks in the metro. Area.
- Prove information on employment opportunities with the Park Service.
- National Capital Revitalization Corporation (NCRC)
Recommend that NCRC include the East of the River as a major part of its program responsibility to have properly
Pennsylvania Avenue property developed. The development of Pennsylvania Avenue should include a comprehensive retail
mix study to determine what would be the best retail and economic use of the site. The demolition of the existing
buildings should be considered and done if it is needed in order to provide for the best use of the land. These
commercial areas need to be more neighborhood and community accessible, with offerings of goods and services to
attract customers from other areas.
The short/medium/long term revitalization of Pennsylvania Avenue East of the Anacostia River should result in a
vibrant commercial area providing quality goods, services and activities inviting to persons who live on both sides
of the river and elsewhere to take full advantage of the third most heavily traveled street in Washington, DC.
The East of the River Pennsylvania Avenue Task Force has been energized and greatly encouraged by Mayor Anthony A.
Williams' priorities given to Neighborhoods and Communities. We applaud his efforts to identify problems in neighborhoods
and work with citizens to provide solutions. Mr. Mayor we thank you for your leadership.
Finally, Mayor Williams we would be remiss if we did not thank all of the city agencies that have provided support to
this task force. In particular, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Office of Planning (OP),
Clean City Coordinator and Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA). As we move ahead forward we look
forward to continuing our relationship and partnership. Again we thank you for your support.
Respectfully presented to Mayor Anthony A. Williams by Donald Murray, Jr. on behalf of members of the task force.
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