Mount Pleasant DC Forum

[Harry]

Just lobbing this question out there as I have no idea how these things work. I was walking down Park Road to Columbia Heights the other day and the Facade Improvement project has really transformed that strip of shops. How can we get something similar for MTP?

http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2011/02/park-road-facade-improvement-project-looking-awesome/

There are countless storefronts that would benefit from something like this. Adams Express, Haydees, Bestway and the other markets. Now that we have filled a few of our vacant retail spaces it would go a long way to spiffy the strip up a bit. I know Mount Pleasant Mainstreet scored a grant awhile back that was supposed to go towards more park seating and lighting and some festoon lights across the street? What is the status of that?

[micmac]

Those storefronts are a huge improvement for that block, which was a blight and seemed unsafe. Maybe more people will walk down Park Rd. to Columbia Heights and overall safety will befit also.

[Cory]

It would be so awesome if we could get some money and interest to fix up some of the storefronts around Lamont park.

Back in November, I traded some messages with the Gabriela Vega at DDOT about the status of the Main Street grant. This is what she told me:

"Thanks for contacting DDOT reagrding the MtP grant. At this time I am re-packaging the grant so it can be assigned to our Infrastructure branch who will probably award it to a contractor to complete the work.

The reason there have been no trees planted on the east side of MtP Street between Lamont and Park is that heavy PEPCO utilities run along the lenght of the sidewalk on the east side preventing UFA from doing any plantings. We are still hoping there is a way we can install one of maybe two trees but it does not look very promising."
When I asked if bumpouts could be made or planters set to green Mt P Street north of Lamont, Gabriela responded:

"We are planning to green the median but we had to put the work on hold when individuals started opposing the lengthening of the tree boxes along Mount Pleasant Street.

At this time we are not planning to install curb extensions along the east side to accommodate trees – one of the issues that arises from that is surface runoff from rains, once the curb extensions are installed it changes the grade of the street and water would accumulate in certain sections."

[ClancyMac]

Harry, unfortunately grants for hard costs (the actual construction work) for facade renovation are hard to come by. LEDC used to have a program, and it seems to wax and wane in effectiveness. (Samber Market and Corado's received improvements through LEDC over the last three years).

Last year, Historic Mount Pleasant, working with the MtP Business Association did get a grant from the city to assist building and business owners with "soft" costs (permitting, design) for improvements to signage and facades, along with technical assistance on marketing, product display, etc. Historic MtP also has a standing match offer to businesses of up to $500 per sign to aid business owners who wish to install new signage---the Pupuseria took advantage of that offer for its new sign. Below is a portion of the Historic MtP Annual Report summarizing the results of that grant.

Facade renovation is expensive, and there is little hardcost grant money available. Consequently, until building/business owners perceive renovation to be in their best economic self-interest, they are not going to pursue it.


In January 2010, in partnership with the Mount Pleasant Business Association, HMP applied for a $50,000 grant from the Neighborhood Investment Fund to provide technical assistance to small businesses on Mount Pleasant Street. In early April, we were notified that we would receive $40,000. Under the grant, HMP provided the required 501(c)(3) framework and fiscal oversight, while the Business Association – specifically its Executive Director Gabriela Mossi – provided day-to-day management and liaison with the businesses. Grant funds could be used only for training and technical assistance, as opposed to material and labor for property improvements. Thus, the grant focused on providing assistance to individual businesses, including assistance in obtaining the necessary building permits, to develop plans that they could implement themselves. The project began with an invitation to all businesses for assistance, which was then provided on a first-come, first-served basis. It also enabled the Business Association to design the colorful posters now displayed in neighborhood bus shelters. Grant funds were received in June and required to be obligated by September 30, resulting in a very compressed period of activity. Nonetheless, visible changes are occurring, and we hope they will encourage more investment by businesses and property owners in the commercial corridor. The following is a list of the areas in which technical assistance funded from this grant has been provided to individual businesses.

• Alex’s Unisex Salon – design and permits for façade restoration, construction expected spring 2011;
• Boveda – website and Facebook pages to promote business, research on outdoor signage options;
• China Town – recommendations for minor façade and interior repairs, grates removed but reinstalled;
• Don Juan – design for expansion of sidewalk café, public space application, research for door replacement and minor outdoor repairs;
• Dos Gringos – graphic design and item selection for new printed menu and indoor sign;
• Heller’s Bakery and Marx Café – logo redesign, design of printed media advertising;
• Marinelli Thrift Store – visual merchandising assistance initiated but then declined;
• Mount Pleasant Care Pharmacy – merchandise display and interior signage;
• Old School Hardware – design and permitting for new signage, website;
• Progreso International Market – merchandise display, inventory management;
• Pupuseria San Miguel – façade and public space improvement, signage design, trash storage plan;
• Samber Market – merchandise display, inventory management, recommendations for purchase of new fixtures;
• Tex Mex Burrito – logo creation, sign and menu design, interior design, research for exterior repairs ; and
• Bus Shelter Posters – group marketing and advertising, logos.