1st and Kennedy Street, NW via Change.org
“Dear PoPville,
Wanted to alert the community to some great community organizing around Kennedy St in Manor Park. Recent and planned developments on Kennedy Street lack any first-floor retail.
When La Coop Coffee shop was kicked out of their space, we were promised a new development that included first floor retail, but there are now proposed plans that no longer have retail. Residents want a vibrant Kennedy St that includes both retail and housing.
The city has allowed the developer(s) to engage in activities which have eroded the neighborhood through persistent business closures and lack of services due to the many vacant store front. A similar development with no retail is also being planned across the street, including a space that currently houses a liquor store. Between the two projects, this would add a total of 107 new apartment to 1st and Kennedy St NW with no first-floor retail.
These properties are zoned for mixed use (MU-4) in the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map. The zoning board and council should:
Block any development application lacking a retail ground floor component.
Require any proposal to include bottom floor retail spaces.
Prevent any proposal from being accepted that doesn’t focus on adding a retail space with an anchor business.
Good news though, it’s not too late! The zoning board still needs to approve the revised plans that would remove first floor retail from the site that includes the former La Coop space. We are asking that you consider:
Signing the change.org petition (see for additional details on how to participate).
Submit comment to the official comment to the official box: [email protected]
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