Overview
What is The Parks Main Street program that represents small businesses in the Manor Park and Riggs Park neighborhoods?
The Parks Main Street (TPMS) is a community-based organization that will utilize public-private partnerships and community volunteers to build on neighborhood assets and implement strategies to support and improve the business corridors in the Lamond-Riggs and Manor Park neighborhoods. This will be achieved through retaining and revitalizing current small businesses, recruiting other small businesses to the neighborhood corridors, beautifying streetscapes to encourage commercial uses, as well as engaging community members and District agencies.
As we are still early in the process, we seek feedback from the community on how each of these goals may be achieved. We want to hear your vision too.
What are the boundaries of the Main Street?
The present boundaries of the Main Street include:
In Riggs Park
- South Dakota Avenue NE between Galloway Street and Riggs Road NE
- Riggs Road NE between Chillum Place NE and the Metro tracks
- 5600 block of 3rd Street NE and the 5700 Block of 2nd Street NE between Riggs Road, NE and New Hampshire Avenue, NE
In Manor Park
- 3rd Street NW between Rittenhouse Street and Sheridan Street NW
Who leads the TPMS organization?
A volunteer Board of Directors, Executive Director Edwin D. Washington, and the Center for Nonprofit Advancement lead the TPMS program. The Center for Nonprofit Advancement will provide fiscal and organizational management, leadership, and technical assistance for the Main Street. The founding Board of Directors includes community members from the Lamond-Riggs and Manor Park neighborhoods.
Development
How was it developed?
The Center for Nonprofit Advancement applied through a competitive process and received the award from the District’s Department of Small and Local Business Development to manage the TPMS program.
May I see a copy of the grant application submitted by the Center for Nonprofit Advancement?
Click here to read the application. Portions were redacted to protect the Center’s intellectual property and sensitive, proprietary business information.
The Center for Nonprofit Advancement received a grant totaling $175,000 in Fiscal year 2019 to manage the TPMS program. Funds are disbursed over a 12-month period as expenses are incurred. These funds will be used to support the salary for the Executive Director, sub-awards for small business capacity building, training, and façade improvements, organizing and advertising events, a retail survey, as well as overhead for administrative functions. Additional funding is expected in the years to come as part of the District’s annual budget process, but likely less than the FY 2019 level. Additional resources may be sought to support the TPMS program via fundraising, donations, and in-kind contributions.
Leadership
How was the Executive Director selected?
In December 2018, a call for applications to serve as the Executive Director was announced via community listservs, social media, in-person, on job boards, and via the Center for Nonprofit Advancement (see here for more). Between 10 and 20 applications were submitted in January 2019 from interested persons willing to serve in this role. The Board of Directors and Center for Nonprofit Advancement reviewed the applications. After multiple rounds of interviews, Mr. Edwin D. Washington demonstrated the appropriate drive and experience to lead the program and was offered the position in February 2019.
How were Board members selected?
As part of the application process, a founding Board of Directors consisting of community volunteers was needed. The initial founding Board members contributed to the development of the application with the Center for Nonprofit Advancement. These three community members were selected to serve as Board Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary based on their proven ability to work within the community, bring certain professional and interpersonal skills, achieve results for their neighborhoods, collaborate with others, and help launch the program on a shortened timeline. Another Board member was selected from the community after the application was submitted based on similar criteria. TPMS is actively searching for additional Board members (up to a total of 15 volunteers) to participate as well.
Community Engagement
How can I join the board?
Please fill out and submit the board application form and a board member will be in touch with you.
How will members of the community be engaged?
The TPMS program is inclusive of all residents, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations within its boundaries. Engagement will occur through community meetings and events, social media, blogs, email and print resources, as well as personal interactions with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and Center for Nonprofit Advancement.
How can I help?
If you would like to volunteer for a specific committee or just want to remain informed as we move along, please fill out and submit the following form here. Everyone is welcome to help, so please join us!
Will information and activities be provided in languages other than English?
Yes, the TPMS program will strive to provide information and resources in multiple languages when and where appropriate.
