(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, the DC Office of Planning (OP) awarded $650,000 in grants to eligible Business Improvement Districts and Community Improvement Districts through the Streets for People Grant Program. Streets for People grants, launched in 2022, encourage daytime and nighttime activity supported by infrastructure investments for streets, sidewalks, and alleys to encourage people to enjoy civic spaces, cultural amenities, and local businesses located in Downtown DC and nearby areas.
“We are excited for the second year of our award-winning program, which will have even more events that unleash DC’s creativity in Downtown’s public space,” said Anita Cozart, Director of OP. “We know both the public and the business community are eager to participate in upcoming Streets for People programming.”
Last year, Streets for People supported over 100 events that attracted more than 110,000 people Downtown. Streets for People expanded the use of Downtown’s public spaces. Highlights include mobile pop-up kitchens, art walks, concerts, comedy shows, parklets, and an interactive street oasis with swinging chairs. Mount Vernon Triangle’s Photo Walk, FRESHFARM Mobile Kitchen, and Retail Kiosk—all funded through Streets for People in 2022—were awarded a Designing for Equitable Communities citation from the Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Additionally, nearly two-thirds of event attendees surveyed last year made a purchase at a nearby business.
The 2023 grant recipients are:
- Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District
- DowntownDC Business Improvement District
- Dupont Circle Business Improvement District
- Golden Triangle Business Improvement District
- Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District
- NoMa Business Improvement District
Each of the grantees is partnering with local artists, cultural organizations, and businesses that focus on Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color.
Upcoming Streets for People events include Foggy Bottom Whomp Stompers performing at Dupont Circle on July 15, Adams Morgan Summer Food Festival on July 29, and the Lotus Light Festival at Chinatown Park August 13 - 20.
For event details and more information about Streets for People, please visit publicinput.com/dcstreetsforpeople. To learn about OP’s Downtown Public Realm Plan, please visit publicinput.com/downtownpublicrealm. Information about the DC Office of Planning can be found at planning.dc.gov.