The "software" that makes it all work by Leigh Catherine Miles

Placemaking on Ward 3’s Avenues: What’s in the Streetscape Toolbox June 22, 2021

Tenleytown Main Street Tenleytown Main Street is a community-based nonprofit organization that works with residents and local businesses to strengthen the economic vitality of Tenleytown. We seek to achieve a business district that is a thriving, walkable, and friendly neighborhood center that retains its small town feel with up-todate urban amenities. As a welcoming hub of community life, our Main Street nurtures a vibrant local economy and culture that can only be found at our own “top of the town.”

The Main Street Approach

Economic Vitality “Thank you, Tenleytown Main Street, for all the support. It has been a relief to know that we could ask you all for help with figuring out what DC is demanding these days and on how to help keep customers [informed] & safe. Assisting us with getting the grants applications in so we could receive money to help us stay open. Please keep up the great work. The help you all have provided has been more than I thought possible.”

- Janice McLain, Owner, PetMAC DC

Economic Vitality Since 2016…

• $240,000 in direct financial, technical, and digital marketing assistance • $1 million additional funds leveraged • 2,500+ hours of technical assistance … most of it pro bono Ø Vacancy rate <4% of leasable storefront units, down from 14.4% Ø Of new businesses 56% are small and/or locallyowned businesses

Promotions

Promotions Annually …

• 20,000 Tenleytown visitors for Main Street events • 500,000+ reach of special events, promotional videos & marketing • Events lead to increased sales and brand recognition

Design “The appearance of the business district continues to be a major pain point for residents and visitors. Projects that focus on facades, parks, and sidewalks are likely to have an outsized impact on attitudes toward Tenleytown and public perception of the Main Street.”

- 2018 Community Survey Report

Design – Clean Team

Design - Storefronts

Design – Temporary Activations

Design – Parks & Environmental Design

www.tenleytownmainstreet.org @Tenleytown MS (IG/Twitter) @TenleytownMainStreet (Facebook) Leigh Catherine Miles info@tenleytownmainstreet.org 202-362-1815