Lower Georgia Avenue Main Street

In October 2017, Mayor Muriel Bowser designated the Lower Georgia Avenue Main Street (LGMS) program to serve the commercial corridor between Barry Place and Kansas Avenue along Georgia Avenue in Wards 1 & 4. The LGAMS grant was awarded through the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) to revitalize communities by retaining and recruiting businesses, improving commercial properties and streetscapes, and attracting consumers. It serves as a community-based economic development program,  and connects local businesses to the assistance and resources they need to adapt to and thrive in changing local environments. With the leadership and support of community volunteers, LGAMS plans local events and promotions that draw people to shop, play, learn, dine and build meaningful relationships in this vibrant community. LGAMS activities take place in the historic neighborhoods of Pleasant Plains, Park View and Petworth.

We are proud to be a nationally accredited Main Street program by the National Main Street Center as well as a designated DC Main Street by the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development.

Explore Lower Georiga Avenue Neighborhoods

Small Business Technical Assistance

We’re passionate about helping small local businesses succeed. Each business is unique and needs a unique solution. We take a holistic approach to help you achieve your dreams. Check out some of the ways our Main Street programs can help your business.

Small Business Grants

We annually conduct competitions for small grants up to $2,000 for businesses located within our Main Street program boundaries. These grants are made possible by the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development.  Join our newsletter to hear about upcoming opportunities.

Business Newsletter

There are a lot of resources and opportunities out there to help you grow your business, but it can be a lot to keep up with. Our business newsletter curates the most relevant opportunities and business news and puts it straight into your inbox. Stay in the know and sign up today!

Business Health Checks & Development Plans

Whether you have been in business for decades or are just getting started you need to have a plan to achieve your business goals. The District Bridges approach to business technical assistance focuses on helping you map out your pathway to success. Our Business Health Check helps us identify your business’s most critical needs. After you have completed your Business Health Check, we work with you directly to develop a Business Development Plan that aligns your business needs with the resources and assistance that will enable you to accomplish your goals.

Training & Workshops

We offer free or low-cost training and workshops on a variety of subjects where business owners get direct access to subject matter experts to them gain new skills to build a thriving business.

One on One Consultations

Need support but you’re not exactly sure what kind? Just need to bounce some ideas off of a trusted person? Our Main Street program staff are here for you. You can set up an in-person or online consultation with one of our professionals. We may not have all the answers, but we’ll work with you to help you navigate your questions and find the answer with you!

Business Promotional Events

Whether you’re looking to get your business in front of a new audience or you want to connect with other businesses and people in your community, we host annual events and use social media and newsletters to help give your business the exposure you need to grow and help build long term connections in your community. Use the link below to submit holidays/observances promotions.

Overview

The Lower Georgia Avenue Equitable Development Plan (LGA EDP) is a community-driven initiative that will generate a set of policies, programs, and recommendations to build a thriving commercial corridor that reflects neighborhood history, identity, and culture. Phase One of this plan includes intentional community engagement with stakeholders from the Pleasant Plains, Park View, and LeDroit Park neighborhoods to develop a shared inclusive vision for the corridor that will guide future equitable development. District Bridges (DB) and Justice and Sustainability Associates (JSA) will work collaboratively to convene stakeholders over several months, ultimately culminating in a multi-stakeholder forum to build consensus and recommendations for next steps.

Phase One Goals

1. Support overall project to create a shared vision for a thriving commercial corridor that reflects neighborhood history, identity, and culture and guides future development.
2. Build public awareness and participation in LGA EDP process.
3. Convene key stakeholders to serve on the LGA EDP Strategic Leadership Council.
4. Collect and aggregate feedback from diverse stakeholders along the corridor including housing, small business, community placemaking, arts, and social sector representatives.
5. Design plans for Phase Two implementation.

Key Activities

Community Engagement – Stakeholder Interviews & Surveys

District Bridges will schedule, conduct, and analyze individual and group interviews to (1) (re)introduce project purpose, activities, and timeline, (2) learn the history of prior economic development activities, (3) learn current/planned economic development activities, (4) identify hopes and fears about economic development, (5) build support for participation in public re-engagement event, (6) collect referrals from other key stakeholders, and (7) identify potential LGA EDP Strategy Leadership Council members. Other stakeholders will participate in a survey to increase participant feedback.

Lower Georiga Avenue Strategic Leadership Council

JSA and District Bridges will work jointly to identify and recruit Strategic Leadership Council (SLC) members that both represent diverse community perspectives, and share the common goal of organizing an inclusive, transparent, and productive community engagement event to guide the LGA EDP process. Members will include representatives from Georgia Ave neighborhood associations, small business owners, affordable housing experts, real estate developers, and key institutions (e.g., Howard Univ).

Community Engagement Event

JSA will facilitate the ultimate community engagement event planned by the SLC. JSA will provide its conflict resolution and community engagement expertise to support strategic alignment and planning among key stakeholders who are willing to invest in the emergence and success of a corridor-wide vision for LGA.

Lower Georgia Avenue Main Street

Program Manager, Teresa Edmondson

Email: LGAMS@districtbridges.org

Email: Teresa@districtbridges.org

Phone: 202-929-8142

Get Involved!

Volunteering with District Bridges is a great way to support our work to build stronger more connected communities and invest in local businesses. Are you looking to volunteer your time to support one of our upcoming events? Or do you have a skill set that you believe would be of value to our work? Or maybe you have an awesome idea you want to bring to fruition but need a partner to help pull it off… We want to connect with you! Check out the ways you can get involved and let’s have some fun!

Volunteer Sign Up

Sign up for our volunteer corps to be informed of upcoming volunteer opportunities. You can specify specific neighborhoods you’d like to serve or find out about all our opportunities.

Neighborhood Strategy Council Application

Our Neighborhood Strategy Councils (NSCs) are community advisory boards that help us set programmatic priorities for each of our Main Street programs. Complete an application if you’re interested in serving and we’ll be in touch!

Support Lower Georgia Avenue Main Street

Your financial investment in the Lower Georgia Avenue Main Street is a direct investment back into your community. Whether it’s through our support of small local businesses or the community events we host your donation makes our work possible.

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today to support our work and Lower Georgia Avenue.