4303422 ACR 19-345, "Central 14th Street Vision Plan and Revitalization Strategy Plan Recognition Resolution of 2012"
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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
19-345
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
December 4, 2012
To recognize and honor the efforts of a dedicated group of community leaders and government employees for the creation of the Central 14th Street Vision Plan and Revitalization Strategy Plan.
WHEREAS, in November, 2009, at the request of the 14th Street Block group, Councilmember Muriel Bowser, joined by Mayor Adrian Fenty, community stakeholders, and District government agencies, participated in a walk-thru along the 14th Street, N.W. corridor from Spring Road to Longfellow Street to begin a strategy for improvements along this section in Ward 4;
WHEREAS, the community identified a number of concerns, including lighting, crosswalk, intersection, stop sign, and other safety improvements; business façade, vacant properties, new business needs, transportation, residential improvements, and other issues preventing economic development and improved quality of life in this area;
WHEREAS, the District’s Office of Planning (“OP”), including Gizachew Andargeh, Malaika Abernathy, and Tarek Bolden, led a small area planning process with a variety of stakeholders including Advisory Neighborhood Commission and civic leaders, property owners, business tenants, residents, and District government agencies to determine how best the corridor should be revitalized over the next 5-10 year timeframe;
WHEREAS, this 2½-year process analyzed the market viability of the 14th Street corridor, from Spring Street, N.W., to Longfellow Street, N.W., specifically targeting 3 very distinct commercial nodes;
WHEREAS, the Central 14th Street Vision Plan and Revitalization Strategy Plan (“Plan”) provides guidance on land use, zoning, urban design, and connectivity and is intended to direct economic growth along 14th Street, N.W., by improving neighborhood retail choices and amenities;
WHEREAS, the Plan recommends near- and mid-term strategies for revitalization and articulates broad development goals as well as targets key opportunity sites that would be ideal to leverage public and private investment to catalyze development;
WHEREAS, the Plan recommends corridor-wide guidance to improve multi-modal connectivity by improving public transportation options, and encourages safe pedestrian and bike connections;
WHEREAS, the community engagement process was quite extensive, with over 50 public meetings having been held, including the development of an Advisory Committee and a Business Committee’
WHEREAS, the following were all active participants and key to the development of the Plan: Community leaders including ANC 4C and 4A Commissioners: Joseph Vaughan, Janet Myers, Steve Leraris, Michael Yates, and Dave Wilson; 14th Street Block Group leaders Fredia Banks and Diann Johnson; Community and Civic representation from the 16th Street Heights Civic Association, Brightwood Community Association, Friends of 16th Street Heights Parks and Crestwood Civic Association and key involvement from Business representatives including, TA Uqdah, Audrey Nwanze, John Wilson, JR Clark, Ed Proctor and other members of the 14th Street Uptown Business Association;
WHEREAS, OP received a grant from ArtPlace America, which produced a series of temporary, catalytic, art, and cultural-based activities that celebrated each of the 3 commercial nodes along 14th Street;
WHEREAS, through the ArtPlace experience, residents and visitors alike were invited to see the corridor as a destination to experience its culturally diverse businesses and unique public realm through art-based activities, just as envisioned in the Plan;
WHEREAS, the ArtPlace Central 14th Street project was recognized by the National Capital Planning Chapter of the American Planning Association as an Outstanding Implemented Project and received an award on November 10, 2012;
WHEREAS, OP held a final public hearing on March 22, 2012 and submitted a Small Area Plan to the Council of the District of Columbia on July 12, 2012;
WHEREAS, the Council held its public hearing on October 22, 2012; and
WHEREAS, the Plan was approved by the Council on November 15, 2012.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Central 14th Street Vision Plan and Revitalization Strategy Plan Recognition Resolution of 2012”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia commends and recognizes the distinguished efforts of the 14th Street Task Force, the Office of Planning, and all of the residents and businesses along 14th Street who participated in making this Plan possible.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
