by Marlene Berlin
Van Ness has been the subject of many studies and visioning sessions, including three from the Office of Planning since 2011, the latest being 2016’s Van Ness Commercial District Action Strategy. DDOT, after many years of study and design, released its final concept plan for its Van Ness Commercial Corridor Project in 2022.
Now, a new group is studying Van Ness. Urban Land Institute is coming to Van Ness on February 19th and 20th to convene a panel of real estate and land use experts. They will present their report at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 20th, and the public is invited to attend in person or online. You’ll find the details here.
Gloria Garcia, executive director of Van Ness Main Street (VNMS), and Stan Wall, a co-chair of the VNMS Economic Committee, have been working with UDC to bring ULI Washington to Van Ness. It is Van Ness Main Street’s hope that the ULI process and report moves the corridor from planning to action, and paves the way for new development and vibrancy.
Per this project’s press release: “This exercise – a Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) run by ULI Washington, the local District Council of the Urban Land Institute – will examine key opportunity parcels along Connecticut Ave. NW between Tilden St. NW and Albemarle St. NW and will develop an approach to enhance vibrancy through retail and housing initiatives, improved transit accessibility, and expanded arts and cultural programming.” (emphasis mine)
A vision of Van Ness Main Street since its founding is one of Van Ness as a cultural arts destination. The seeds of making the area a distinct center for the arts are already present.
UDC, with its own performing and visual arts programs and facilities, is an obvious hub, and while under-enrolled could fulfill a citywide need for more (and more affordable) studio and other creative spaces. The former Intelsat/Whittle School could serve these needs as well.
There could also be a dynamic partnerships with Levine Music, Jackson-Reed High School’s band, orchestral, choral and theater programs, and other culture and arts programs from around the city. And Politics and Prose is always on the lookout for book talk venues.
The ULI process could be boon to our Van Ness corridor and attract more students to UDC. Think of the vibrancy that could come of musicians, actors and dancers performing in our public inside and outside spaces, of community dances and sings. What could better breathe new life and bring new business into our area?
This Forbes article describes performing arts as an economic driver:
“Mayors understand the connection between the arts industry and city revenues,” said Reno, Nevada Mayor Hillary Schieve. “Arts activity creates thousands of direct and indirect jobs and generates billions in government and business revenues. The arts also make our cities destinations for tourists, help attract and retain businesses, and play an important role in the economic revitalization of cities and the vibrancy of our neighborhoods.”
With mayoral support, the ULI report could open up a new world for performance and vibrancy in this commercial corridor.
Marlene Berlin is the editor-in-chief of Forest Hills Connection, and a co-founder and past president of Van Ness Main Street. The opinions expressed are her own.