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September 21, 2023
Nyasha Smith, Secretary
Council of the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
Dear Secretary Smith:
Today, along with Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie, I am introducing the “Mount Vernon
Triangle/Eastern Market/Barracks Row Great Streets Neighborhood Retail Priority
Amendment Act of 2023”.
The District’s Great Streets program has played an instrumental role in revitalizing and energizing
commercial corridors across the District. By providing financial incentives, technical support, and
strategic investments to local businesses, the program has effectively driven economic
development, created jobs, and improved residents' quality of life. Since launching in 2006, the
program has grown to more than 13 Retail Priority Areas across all eight wards. However, despite
that growth city-wide, there are several business corridors located in Ward 6 that are not
designated Retail Priority Areas and therefore miss out on the benefits and opportunities of the
Great Streets program.
This proposed legislation would designate business corridors located in the Mount Vernon
Triangle, Eastern Market, and Barracks Row neighborhoods as Retail Priority Areas. There are
several reasons why the proposed expansion to include these retail areas is important and timely:
Mount Vernon Triangle
With its proximity to Downtown and diverse population, Mount Vernon Triangle has given rise
to a vibrant culinary scene, art galleries, and cultural events catering to residents and visitors
alike. Mount Vernon Triangle has approximately 30 to 35 businesses that could qualify for grants
under the program, representing an opportunity for an emerging area of the District to
continually attract and retain businesses – particularly small, local restaurants – and create new
opportunities within a vibrant, walkable community.
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Eastern Market
Eastern Market is both a cherished cultural landmark and a neighborhood that has served as a
hub of commerce, community, and creativity for more than a century. The iconic market is a
testament to the District's rich history and entrepreneurial spirit. The surrounding neighborhood
has a rich retail and dining scene, anchored by long-time neighborhood institutions, but it also
needs support for emerging small business owners. Access to opportunities through the Great
Streets program would allow Eastern Market to continue to welcome people from all walks of
life, fostering an environment of inclusivity and camaraderie. It would also enable the market's
vendors, many of whom are local artisans, farmers, and entrepreneurs, to continue to contribute
to the area's sense of community and tradition.
Barracks Row
Also located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, Barracks Row weaves together a rich cultural and
storied economic history. The historic stretch of 8th Street, SE evolved from its early military
roots into a bustling corridor with eclectic restaurants and boutiques. However, the pandemic’s
impact along the corridor has been felt with still many empty storefronts. The diverse businesses
are rapidly adapting to cater to the community’s needs, but the corridor would greatly benefit
from additional support.
Please feel free to reach out to me or my Legislative Director, Antonio Nunes, with any questions
or for additional information.
Sincerely,
Councilmember Charles Allen, Ward 6
Chairperson, Committee on Transportation & the Environment
Vice Chair, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
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Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie Councilmember Charles Allen 2
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A BILL 6
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 11
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To amend the Retail Incentive Act of 2004 to designate certain neighborhoods in Ward 6 as Retail 16
Priority Areas, including those within the Mount Vernon Triangle, Eastern Market, and 17
Barracks Row areas. 18
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 20
act may be cited as the “Mount Vernon Triangle/Eastern Market/Barracks Row Great Streets 21
Neighborhood Retail Priority Amendment Act of 2023”. 22
Sec. 2. Section 4 of the Retail Incentive Act of 2004, effective September 8, 2004 (D.C. 23
Law 15-185; D.C. Official Code § 2-1217.73), is amended as follows: 24
(a) Subsection (r) is amended by inserting a new paragraph (4) to read as follows: 25
“(4) The area bounded by a line beginning at the intersection of the center lines of 26
2nd Street, S.E., and Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E.; continuing southeast along the center line of 27
Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E., to K Street, S.E.; continuing north and circumferentially along the 28
center line of Barney Circle, S.E.;”. 29
(b) Subsection (s) is amended by striking the phrase “continuing southwest along the center 30
line of New York Avenue, N.W.” and inserting the phrase “continuing northeast along the center 31
line of New York Avenue, N.W., to the center line of New Jersey Avenue, N.W.; continuing 32
southeast along the center line of New Jersey Avenue, N.W., to the center line of Massachusetts 33
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Avenue, N.W.; continuing northwest along the center line of Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. to the 34
center line of 7th Street N.W.; continuing north along the center line of 7th Street N.W,” in its 35
place. 36
(c) New subsections (t) and (u) are added to read as follows: 37
“(t) There is established the Eastern Market Retail Priority Area, which shall consist of the 38
parcels, squares, and lots within or abutting the boundary of the following area: Beginning at the 39
intersection of North Carolina Avenue, S.E., and 6th Street, S.E.; continuing northeast along the 40
center line of North Carolina Avenue, S.E., to the center line of 8th Street, S.E.; continuing south 41
along the center line of 8th Street S.E., to the center line of Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E.; continuing 42
northwest along the center line of Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E., to the center line of 6th Street, S.E., 43
continuing north along the center line of 6th Street, S.E., to the beginning point. 44
“(u) There is established the Barracks Row Retail Priority Area, which shall consist of the 45
parcels, squares, and lots within or abutting the boundary of the following area: Beginning at the 46
intersection of D Street, S.E., 7th Street, S.E., and South Carolina Avenue, S.E.; continuing east 47
along the center line of D Street, S.E., to the center line of 8th Street, S.E.; continuing south along 48
the center line of 8th Street, S.E., to the center line of M Street, S.E.”. 49
Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement. 50
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal impact 51
statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved 52
October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 53
Sec. 4. Effective date. 54
This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 55
Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of congressional review as 56
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provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 57
1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of 58
Columbia Register. 59