LOCATE SPACELooking to locate your business in Van Ness Main Street? We’re here to help. Whether you need property information, a private tour, or data, our resources can help you find the right space in Van Ness, Forest Hills, and Wakefield.
For more information, please contact:
Executive Director, Van Ness Main Street. Email: [email protected] |
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RESEARCH & INFORMATION
Van Ness Main Street is working hard to assist our current businesses with the latest research and information to help them improve and expand their businesses.
Here are some of the ways we are assisting local businesses:
- Contracted with a restaurant consultant to assist in helping to improve the overall restaurant health in the Van Ness corridor.
- Completed a real estate survey for the Van Ness corridor.
- Track economic impact data for the corridor and distribute to Van Ness businesses.
- Distribute a weekly newsletter that provides information on D.C. grant and training opportunities for local businesses.
- Provide one on one technical assistance to businesses.
First Retail Study for Van Ness Main Street Released
A comprehensive study detailing the retail potential of the Van Ness area was completed in 2018. Van Ness Main Street, The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) and Bernstein Management partnered to select HR&A to conduct the study through a highly detailed and competitive RFP process.
The Office of Planning for the District of Columbia has conducted several studies for the Van Ness area:
Van Ness Commercial District Action Strategy
Van Ness Commercial District Action Strategy
Completed by the DC Office of Planning (OP) in April 2016, the Van Ness Commercial District Action Strategy provides a framework to boost retail, enhance public space, increase sustainability, and guide development During this initiative, residents, local businesses, institutions, and property owners worked together to articulate a vision for the future of the Van Ness Commercial District. The Action Strategy focuses on public space, retail, sustainability, and commercial opportunities and builds on insight from previous planning studies of the retail market and streetscape.
This report builds upon the 2011 report, The Van-Ness-UDC: Commercial Corridor Enhancement Study, which developed conceptual-level recommendations for improving the pedestrian experience along Connecticut Avenue. The pavement removal strategy for Connecticut Avenue from Van Ness Street to Albemarle Street aims to improve the pedestrian experience by expanding the tree pit zone and identifying opportunities to include green infrastructure where possible. The Van Ness streetscape must serve a wide variety of needs and programs. The confluence of a major arterial road, the Metro line, underground utilities and variety of buildings place many demands on the sidewalk/pedestrian area. This study seeks to describe strategies for how all of these needs might be balanced in a functional, attractive sidewalk/pedestrian area.
In July 2010, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government awarded DC OP with one of eight TLC Program technical assistance grants for funding an exploratory study for the Connecticut Avenue/Van Ness area in FY 2011. The goal of the study is to create a vision for the Connecticut Avenue corridor, from Albemarle Street to Tilden Street, to:
- Explore Low Impact Development (LID) design techniques and identify implementation opportunities along the corridor to better manage storm water, better protect our creeks and waterways while enhancing the pedestrian experience on the Avenue.
- Establish streetscape typologies that will organize and improve the identity of the corridor.
- Provide recommendations for revitalizing public spaces along the corridor.
- Improve pedestrian and bicycle connections between the Van Ness-UDC Metro station, existing businesses, and adjacent communities and institutions.
The study resulted in new design options for private and public spaces along the Avenue. These options will need to be further analyzed by the District Department of Transportation before implementation in the public right-of-way and might be modified during the engineering phase. In addition, new design options for private plazas will be shared with private landlords as portions of the Avenue are redeveloped in the future to help generate a more consistent design experience.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Van Ness Main Street offers several technical assistance opportunities to businesses in the corridor including grants for business operations and storefront improvements, group marketing opportunities, referrals to D.C. government agencies, and one on one technical assistance consultations.
If you are interested in learning more about these opportunities and/or scheduling a one on one consultation, please email the Executive Director: [email protected].
RESOURCES
D.C. DEPARTMENT OF SMALL AND LOCAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
The District’s Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) provides a range of services to meet the needs of District based small businesses. These services, are available to both start-up and existing businesses. Services include one-on-one counseling, workshops and seminars for both entrepreneurs and small business owners. For more information on DSLBD’s programs please contact us at (202)727-3900.
U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent agency of the federal government and was created to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam.
UDC SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
UDC’s School of Business and Public Administration is dedicated to supporting its students in the pursuit of excellence. Working professionals enjoy the support of an institution that is small enough to attend to their personal needs and achievement, but is large enough to take full advantage of the opportunities afforded by the University’s unique position in the nation’s capital. The School encourages its students and faculty to apply their skills and knowledge to the urban challenges specific to the District and to envision how solutions devised can be applied elsewhere. In line with its mission to offer high quality opportunities for learning and engagement, the Business Management and Accounting Programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
