Citizen Comments from First Workshop

Group Number Two

Facilitator: Jackie Barton Recorder: Derrick Woody

Question #1—Imagining 10 years from now…

Proudest of having kept:

• History (programming education)
• Vacant properties occupied
• Traditional residents
• Architectural integrity
• Sense of community
• Neighborliness
• Locally owned businesses
• Gentrification without displacement
• Diversity
• Natural beauty (trees, parks)
• Greenspace
• “Original” zoning – parking lots in bad places
• Legitimate businesses

Change most pleased about:

• Economic development for indigenous people
• Residents in home ownership
• Removal of underground economy
• Safety increase
• Light rail N-S, E-W
• Downtown circulator linked to Shaw and U Streets
• Pothole removal
• Dog parks
• Better public works (what occurs west of park)
• More retail, less social services
• Greater political clout
• Urgent care facility
• State-of-the-art social services institute
• Appropriate and adequate parking
• More creative arts for youth

Question #2—Possibly increase density on some sites?

• Concerns about what “affordable” means
• Reach indigenous folk who may not be able to afford $2,000 rents
• Mandatory inclusionary zoning policy
• Against increasing density – security concerns
• Affordable does not mean low income
• Mixed income is OK
• Housing for elderly
• Use churches

Question #3—Assistance needed to support businesses:

• Increase density
• Change zoning/achieve higher building heights
• Create parking with high density uses
• Flexible zoning
• Don’t segregate by corridor or street
• Let market forces rule
• Incubators/new businesses
• Examine tax structures and rules re: churches
• Work with churches to develop vacant lots, land (affordable housing)
• Need mix of other businesses
• Advertise for local businesses
• Advertise at Convention Center—business directory (map, kiosk)
• Transportation/shuttle to businesses (map, kiosk)
• Connection to historic information
• Include public parking in major development
• Increase taxes, fines for vacant property
• Develop public parking strategy (government sponsored)
• Jobs programs
• Revolving loan fund