VISION STATEMENT
Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets' vision for the Dupont Circle commercial district is:
- Strong neighborhood identity
- Distinctive historic character
- Clean and well maintained public areas
- Safe and attractive environment
- Balance of small, independent businesses and national chains
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets (HDCMS) is to expand our coalition of neighborhood stakeholders; retain, expand and attract a mix of neighborhood businesses; aggressively manage and improve our public spaces; assist independent business owners; preserve the diverse and historic character of our neighborhood; and promote Dupont Circle as a destination
In May of 2003, Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets (HDCMS) was awarded a Main Street grant from the Mayor's reStore DC program. HDCMS includes Connecticut Avenue, 17th and 18th Street and P Street corridors for improvement and enrichment. By working together, Dupont Circle's residents, businesses, cultural institutions, civic associations - with the help of the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and the Department of Small and Local Business development (DSLBD) - we can ensure that our unique neighborhood continues to be Washington's most diverse, active and exciting neighborhood.
What is "Main Street?"
Based in historic preservation, the Main Street approach was developed to save historic commercial architecture and the fabric of American communities' built environment, but has become a powerful economic development tool as well.
The Main Street program is designed to produce tangible benefits. Improving economic management, strengthening public participation, and making downtown a fun place to visit are as critical to Main Street's future as recruiting new businesses and rehabilitating buildings. Building on a neighborhood's inherent assets -- rich architecture, personal service, and traditional values, and most of all, a sense of place -- the Main Street approach has rekindled entrepreneurship, downtown cooperation and civic concern. It has earned national recognition as a practical strategy appropriately scaled to a community's local resources and conditions. And because it is a locally driven program, all initiative stems from local issues and concerns.
Why Dupont Circle?
Dupont Circle's commercial corridors are busy, active and attractive... so "what's the problem?" There are several: the continuing loss of our unique specialty shops, poor public space design and uncoordinated marketing efforts are a few. But most important is lost potential that can be captured through cooperative community efforts. Merchants, property owners, the DC government, cultural institutions, visitors and residents alike all benefit from a healthier base.
How do we get there?
The Main Street program is based on a comprehensive strategy of work in four areas, called the Main Street Four Point Approach:
- Design: Enhancing the physical appearance of the commercial district by rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging supportive new construction, developing sensitive design management systems, and long-term planning.
- Organization: Building consensus and cooperation among the many groups and individuals who have a role in the revitalization process.
- Promotion: Marketing the traditional commercial district's assets to customers, potential investors, new businesses, local citizens and visitors.
- Economic Enhancement: Strengthening the district's existing economic base while finding ways to expand it to meet new opportunities -- and challenges from outlying development.
The Main Street Four Point Approach succeeds only when combined with the following eight principles:
Comprehensive: A single project cannot revitalize a downtown or commercial neighborhood. An ongoing series of initiatives is vital to build community support and create lasting progress.
Incremental: Small projects make a big difference. They demonstrate that "things are happening" on Main Street and hone the skills and confidence the program will need to tackle more complex problems.
Self-Help: Only local leadership can initiate long-term success by fostering and demonstrating community involvement and commitment to the revitalization effort.
Public/private partnership: Every local Main Street program needs the support and expertise of both the public and private sectors. For an effective partnership, each must recognize the strengths and weaknesses of the other.
Identifying and capitalizing on existing assets: Local assets provide the solid foundation for a successful Main Street initiative.
Quality: From storefront design to promotional campaigns to special events, quality must be the main goal.
Change: Changing community attitudes and habits is essential to bring about a commercial district renaissance. A carefully planned Main Street program will help shift public perceptions and practices to support and sustain the revitalization process.
Action-oriented: Frequent, visible changes in the look and activities of the commercial district will reinforce the perception of positive change. Small, but dramatic improvements early in the process will remind the community that the revitalization effort is under way.
