Dupont Circle BID Business Plan

Dupont Circle Business Improvement District Business Plan 2019-2023 Executive Summary The Dupont Circle area, radiating up Connecticut Avenue and across P Street, has long enjoyed a reputation as a distinctive, upscale, yet edgy, neighborhood that is home to galleries, boutiques, non-profits, and progressive causes. Surrounded by Adams Morgan to the north, K Street to the south, Rock Creek Park to the west, and Logan Circle to the east, Dupont Circle has long been one of the most distinguished neighborhoods in Washington DC. While it still holds much of this recognition, the city has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past 15 years, (Downtown, H Street, NE, 14th Street, Shaw, Capitol Hill, and now both the Capitol Riverfront, the Southwest Waterfront) Dupont Circle no longer enjoys its position of prominence as a premier destination. While Dupont Circle has remained steadfast in its identity, it has not benefited from significant development or redevelopment during this time of transformation. However, two significant new projects: (1) the completion of two new residential buildings, The Hepburn and Ampeer, and (2) plans to build a new park over the down ramp on Connecticut Avenue, set the stage for a new effort to build on these investments and create momentum. The new projects and the creation of a BID are significant steps toward Dupont Circle regaining its position of prominence. Notably, the residential areas surrounding Dupont Circle are now home to entrepreneurial millennials who are providing sparks of innovation for the DC economy. In many respects, the primary needs of the area are clear: to reinvest in its physical environment, manage the public space, expand marketing, and brand a high-quality area. The model for the Dupont Circle renewal already exists in other areas of the city. Both Capitol Riverfront and, most recently, Georgetown, established comprehensive programs to meet similar needs that have, in one case, ignited the market and, in the other, reignited the market. They have combined this effort with a focus on physical improvements such as hanging flower baskets, revitalizing existing parks, and creating new public space. Once significant projects are completed, they are marketed to both consumers and investors, consistent with a clear sense of brand. The property owners in the Dupont Circle area are now pursuing a similar set of strategies to reassert a vision of the commercial area as among the most distinctive places in the city. The proposed initiative consists of a three-part program: placemaking; place management; and place branding. Most obviously, the city’s commitment to provide $10 million of funding to build a new park over the Connecticut Avenue underpass, anticipated completion in 2020, will be an enormous catalyst for placemaking. Other significant steps to improve the quality of the place include developing a plan for improving the streetscape on both Massachusetts and Connecticut Avenue, as well as the median on Connecticut Avenue. Significantly, a plan could be developed, in cooperation with the National Park Service, to improve the quality of the Dupont Circle park. The cornerstones of an inviting place are security and maintenance. Although several property owners in the area do an outstanding job addressing these matters at their buildings, the present level of service is inconsistent in public space, partly due to the large number of food establishments that generate trash that continuously needs to be cleaned up. Beyond these basic needs, there is a desire to make the area attractive: continually upgrading and maintaining signs, banners, lampposts, and benches. The issue of landscaping will become particularly critical as the BID takes steps to expand its commitment to park management in addition to overall management. Furthermore, it is necessary to provide a variety of programming options, including events and activities, to signal the spirit of the Dupont Circle area to both users of the area and passers by. One particular need to enhance the sense of place is to ensure the quality of retail is at the highest level. In this regard, the area could undertake a comprehensive assessment of its retail needs and develop a coordinated recruitment program working in conjunction with retail brokers to attract a higher standard. The many assets of the Dupont Circle area need to be marketed, promoted, and communicated – not only through traditional media – but also social media. This will be particularly important as the area begins to renew itself and develop new ways to communicate, not only the new vision, but also the specific experiences and activities that will make this a unique and distinctive destination once again. Other BIDs or areas that have made similar investments, particularly in park renewal, have seen an appreciation of property values between 10%-20% as a premium over and above what could normally be expected. Additionally, in studying the recent increases in the state of downtown, it is clear that other indicators, such as rents, retail sales, and attendance, also grow at increased rates. Mission of the BID The mission of the Dupont Circle Business Improvement District is to provide a range of management services that will assist in creating a vibrant and dynamic place intended to help stimulate visitation and grow businesses. The BID will focus most immediately on ensuring that the area is clean, safe, and friendly, but also that there is attractive, well-maintained and inviting public space, including parks and streetscapes. The BID will also be the keeper of the Dupont Circle brand and will ensure communication about the amenities and benefits of shopping, working, or investing in the area – communicated through a variety of media channels. The ultimate goal of the BID, working in partnership with property owners, stakeholders, National Park Services, and the DC government is to increase economic development and well-being in the area. Goals • To increase sales and occupancy. • To increase property values. • To improve the perception of the area both for consumers and investors. • To increase visitation to area attractions and businesses. • To improve the retail mix and quality of retail. • To raise the stature of the area with public sector leaders and agency directors. • To improve the public space, including parks and streetscapes. Boundaries The Dupont Circle BID covers an area of approximately 11 linear blocks in the Dupont Circle commercial district. It encompasses an area including and radiating in Dupont Circle going north along Con- necticut Avenue from the 1400 block to the 1900 block, west along P Street to 22nd Street, and from the Circle along Massachusetts Avenue until Florida Avenue. A map is included. Legal Description The Dupont Circle Business Improvement District will be a publicly chartered, private non-profit organization. It will seek registration by a Mayoral Order as a business improvement district under the District of Columbia Business Improvement District Act. It will also register as a 501(c)(6) organization under the IRS code. As such, it will be exempt from federal income taxes under the code and will also be exempt from local sales tax under DC law. Governance The organization will be governed by a Board of Directors who will set its broad policies and goals, an executive committee of officers and appointed board members, and a chief executive officer who will manage the day-to-day affairs of the organization. Board of Directors The Board of Directors will consist of between nine and nineteen voting members, including property owner members, and possibly tenant members; there may be board seats reserved for community organizations as ex-officio non-voting members. Voting members will be elected to three-year terms with an election held each year at the annual meeting. Approximately one-third of the Board will be elected each year. The list of proposed Board members is as follows: Pierre Abushacra: Owner of Firehook Bakery Dan Rigaux: Saul Urban Michael Kain: Kain & Associates Kathy Guy: JBG Smith Lou Courembis: 1700 Connecticut Avenue, NW Executive Committee The Executive Committee will serve as the primary governance contact with the CEO and includes officers and additional members appointed by the chair and confirmed by the Board. It will guide the day-to-day operations and practices of the BID. There are two committees that will be organized annually to fulfill specific tasks: (1) the nominating committee and (2) the audit committee. Additionally, ad-hoc committees may be regularly formed to work on specific programs and the organizational needs of the BID. The Executive Committee has all the powers of the Board within the limits set by the policies and procedures as described in its bylaws, which will be formulated and approved by the Board. It is expected that the Executive Committee will meet monthly while the full board will meet quarterly. An annual meeting will be conducted each year to highlight the accomplishments of the current administration and conduct organizational and member business as necessary. The following is a list of proposed members of the Executive Com- mittee, including the officers. The officers will be appointed each year after the election of the Executive Committee. The list of proposed Executive Committee members is as follows: Pierre Abushacra: Owner of Firehook Bakery – Treasurer Dan Rigaux: Saul Urban – Secretary Michael Kain: Kain & Associates – Chair Kathy Guy: JBG Smith – At-Large Lou Courembis: 1700 Connecticut Avenue, NW – At-Large Voting Procedures Board of Directors Dupont Circle BID, a registered 501(c)(6) organization, will be governed by a Board of Directors of up to nineteen members. The Business and Community Improvement Districts Act of 1996 (the “Act”), as amended, requires that a majority of BID board members be property owners. The Act also stipu- lates that the board of an organization such as Dupont Circle BID must include commercial tenants of non-exempt property.

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