Policy Priorities for Neighborhoods, Transportation and the Environment

The following is one of a series of working policy documents crafted in a collaborative process of Community Conversations, door-to-door canvassing, community office hours and input from issue-area experts.

Overview

As Councilmember, I will work to promote shared social and economic prosperity among all residents of Ward 1. Our efforts will focus on: improving the economic climate of all neighborhood corridors by supporting small business owners as well as non-retail and creative occupants; facilitating communication, collaboration and action-taking among neighborhood leaders; ensuring easy access to transportation among all areas of the ward; and enhancing the physical condition of neighborhood corridors through environmentally sustainable development practices.

I will work to ensure neighborhood leaders across Ward 1 have the resources they need to collaborate on economic development across all areas of the ward. I will work to make it easier to travel within and between neighborhoods via car, public transportation and bicycle, as well as support easily recognizable neighborhood identities, associated with clean and inviting communities open to residents and visitors. I will also foster ongoing opportunities to make choices that promote environmental sustainability.

As our office works to implement these plans we will collaborate with residents to continue identifying priorities, understand what data and evidence exists regarding models that address these challenges, build and implement interventions tailored to those needs, continuously assess what works and what does not and invest accordingly. Understanding that numerous community plans already exist, they have been consulted to inform these priorities and will continue to inform organizing efforts going forward. We will also support investment in the use of new technologies to, for example, connect community leaders, improve parking and collect and map data.

Brianne K. NadeauCouncilmember, Ward 1

How the District and Ward 1 can achieve these goals

The following are strategies and policy, both through oversight and legislative action, Councilmember Nadeau will initiate to begin to promote collaborative neighborhood leadership, improve transportation and promote environmental sustainability in Ward 1 and the District.

Core Issue: Neighborhood-based small business owners need additional training and support.

Opportunity: The backbone of thriving neighborhoods throughout Ward 1 is largely made up of small, independently-owned businesses. However, frequently these business owners miss out on increased market share, a diversifying customer base and potential funding for upgrades because they are disconnected from each other and from trainings on issues germane to their growth. Neighborhood-based organizations and associations dedicated to supporting local business are often too small to qualify for government grants. For those that do qualify, District processes are often confusing and too time consuming for small business leaders to participate. There is an opportunity to promote the vitality and diversity of Washingtons neighborhood commercial areas by retaining existing businesses, attracting new businesses and improving the mix of goods and services available to residents.

Oversight and Legislative Action: (1) Secure funding to support trainings and technical assistance by professional teams or task forces with specialized skills in strategic planning, business operations, marketing and promotions, merchandizing, budgeting and cash flow, access to capital and government funding, store renovation design and permitting; (2) Preserve the community character by increasing opportunities for local merchants to purchase and maintain their storefronts and commercial spaces; (3) Advocate for the inclusion of small nonprofits that support business development (such as business associations or BIDs) in District grantmaking opportunities; (4) Advocate for District agencies that serve small business owners to be led by people who themselves have run small businesses so that processes can be improved; and (5) Educate small business owners about available funding opportunities for physical improvements to the interiors and exteriors of existing retail stores (such as faade improvements, interior remodeling, merchandise displays, bilingual signage, security improvements, etc.)

Core Issue: There is a lack of dedicated infrastructure to support neighborhood leaders who want to take action.

Opportunity: Many residents are willing and able to take action to improve their communities. Indeed, there are multiple existing neighborhood action plans that reflect the time, input and commitment of local leaders. Yet many of these plans go unrealized because resources are scarce for supporting the engagement of residents. Many business associations, Main Street programs and neighborhood nonprofits have budgets under $100,000, which disqualifies them from participating in government grant making programs.

Oversight and Legislative Action: (1) Provide funds for one part-time staff person for each Main Street program; (2) Convene open meetings to make people aware of the plans that exist and identify opportunities to participate in elements of implementation; (3) Increase partnership with the Office of Planning on bringing Temporary Urbanism to the ward which would allow residents access to vacant or underutilized spaces to hold shorter-term or interim activities that offer cultural and neighborhood-enlivening opportunities; (4) Support neighborhood green committees; (5) Identify and convene green leaders; (6) Identify and promote technology platforms that connect residents, community leaders and businesses within each neighborhood, including those that work together on specific issues such as aging in place, youth leadership, etc.

Core Issue: Investments in the social and economic development of neighborhoods should be equitable across the ward.

Opportunity: All neighborhoods in Ward 1 should benefit from strong branding and marketing efforts that reflect their historical significance, diversity of residents and unique character in ways that encourage local engagement and attract those from other neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods lag behind others in upgrades and investment. For example, Adams Morgan and the 14th Street Corridor have had significant upgrades while neighborhoods like Mount Pleasant and Lower Georgia Avenue have not had changes to their streetscapes in recent years. There is an opportunity to create walkable, lively and interesting streets that are pedestrian friendly and support local retail and shops.

Oversight and Legislative Action: (1) Target government economic development efforts in Ward 1 neighborhoods that have the least recent infrastructure investments; (2) Dedicate resources to identify and promote the unique characteristics of each neighborhood through multi-lingual signage, promotional materials, etc.; (3) Support programs that improve storefronts, facades , signage, product presentation and customer service for local business and help improve the aesthetics and usability of the commercial corridor; (4) Increase investments in neighborhood advertising on Metro, buses and the Circulator; (5) Improve street level signage at the entryways to each neighborhood encouraging people to stop, visit and shop.

Core Issue: The ward is difficult to traverse because of basic transportation issues and parking is insufficient. New technologies are available and should be employed in the District to address these issues.

Opportunity: Major throughways have significant blockages. For example, 16th Street north of Mount Pleasant frequently is one lane. Buses are inconsistent and delays cost money. Most Ward 1 neighborhoods have insufficient parking. People of varying ages and ranges of ability must be able to travel freely throughout the ward. All neighborhoods should be easy to find via car, public transportation and bicycle.

Oversight and Legislative Action: (1) Implement key elements of the WMATA Metro Bus Priority Corridor Network Plan; (2) Implement key elements of the MOVE DC two-year action plan based on the East-West Crosstown Multimodal Study; (3) Establish real-time Next Bus signage at each bus stop; (4) Develop and implement a plan to ensure adequate parking; (5) Significantly improve bicycling conditions including dedicated lanes and education campaigns that support bicycling; (6) Time stop lights for better flow; (7) Research and adopt technologies that are in use in other cities which assist with parking and public transportation; (8) Work with WMATA to ensure public transportation runs more frequently and more consistently; (9) Ensure adequate funding for sidewalk maintenance and repair so that they can be easily navigated with wheelchairs and strollers; (10) Establish a mobility management staff position within an existing office in the District of Columbia to ensure integrated planning around issues of access and mobility for those with varying levels of mobility.

Core Issue: Environmental sustainability efforts are inconsistent and insufficient and can be improved through education, consistent opportunities for recycling and support for green leadership.

Opportunity: Ward 1 could become a leader in environmental sustainability. However, diversion recycling by businesses is low and enforcement is insufficient. Planning for streetscapes frequently does not include foliage as a fundamental element of success. Recycling opportunities for residents are insufficient and inconsistent. Technology that could be employed to map green efforts throughout the ward and connect green leaders is underutilized. Environmental sustainability efforts that do exist are frequently unpublicized leading to a lack of awareness. By increasing green and sustainable development practices in the built environment, educating young people, ensuring sufficient recycling programs and improving residents access to nature, Ward 1 can encourage residents and visitors to spend time out in the streets and in parks.

Oversight and Legislative Action: (1) Support neighborhood-based efforts to educate Ward 1 residents about Green Zones and promote their adoption; (2) Ensure sufficient resources for farmers markets and green festivals, and other community gatherings that focus on sustainable practices; (3) Promote the participation of Ward 1 businesses and residents in the Building Energy Summit, the EcoDistricts Summits and other opportunities to learn about and collaborate on best practices; (4) Identify and increase awareness of existing environmental sustainability efforts throughout the ward; (5) Support and promote small and large scale outdoor events in parks throughout the ward; (6) Partner with organizations like Casey Trees to encourage the planting of trees in ways that engage residents; (7) Include environmental education in every elementary school in the ward; (8) Remove obstacles to using vacant or underutilized lots for neighborhood gardens; (9) Implement a universal recycling program; (6) Create green streetscape plans for all neighborhoods; (10) Require the use of reused, recycled or re-useable materials in government processes; (11) Implement a recycling inspection program for varying hours (not just normal business hours) to fine businesses and residents who do not recycle.

Core Issue: There is an opportunity to brand Ward 1 as a whole as the best place to shop, work and live.

Opportunity: There is great opportunity in the coordinated marketing of Ward 1 as a great place to live, work and shop. Working together, leaders in Ward 1 have the opportunity to increase the amount of money available for neighborhood improvements, money from both government and shoppers/users of services. However, people largely dont know what constitutes the ward and feel disconnected from each other neighborhood-by-neighborhood.

Oversight and Legislative Action: (1) Convene quarterly meetings of ANC Chairs to identify efficiencies and marketing opportunities; (2) Identify and implement strategies to capture and share shoppers within the ward; (3) Market the wards historic, aesthetic and cultural heritage, as embodied and reflected in landmarks and designated cultural districts.Policy Priorities for Neighborhoods, Transportation and the EnvironmentPage 4 of 4