By Edwin Washington*

A version of this post was first published on linkedin on September 25, 2019.

On September 19, about 25 residents, board members, and business owners representing Riggs Park and Manor Park under The Parks Main Street organization met at the Lamond-Riggs Library in Washington, DC to discuss retail findings from the two communities. 

Manor Park

• Goods and Services such as dry cleaners, fresh convenience stores, and more, and Food and Beverage businesses are moderately viable.
• Manor Park’s long-standing retailers and history of low vacancy demonstrate that all types of retail can thrive in the neighborhood.
• With longtime loyal customer bases, between 70% and 80% of Manor Park patrons come from outside the immediate area to shop at these unique longstanding businesses.
• The area is characterized by mostly neighborhood Goods and Services with only two food and beverage establishments.
• As the retail environment in the city continues to evolve, the primary task is to keep this neighborhood’s vital retail resources by working with Manor Park businesses to ensure that each thrives in this environment and continues to appeal to a broad geographic base of people, thereby maintaining low vacancy while preserving the character and vibrancy of the nod.

Riggs Park

• Goods and Services businesses are extremely viable, and Food and Beverage businesses are moderately viable.
• Retail in Riggs Park has rapidly expanded over the past 10 years, with new development bringing in 220,000 square feet of retail space. The area now features a mix of auto-oriented retail that preexisted 2010 and newer retail spaces in mixed-use projects.
• Riggs Park benefits from its location along two highly trafficked corridors with nearly 25% of all customers resulting from drive-by traffic.
• The retail offerings are growing and are expected to continue to grow as several major developments come online.
• The addition of cultural attractions such as Meow Wolf and Explore! Children’s Museum also will create further regional draw, boost daytime population and increase pedestrian traffic.
• As the spaces available for retail continue to grow and additional multifamily projects are in development, the primary task is to keep the market in balance by aggressively combatting vacancy and ensuring that older, more established businesses continue to thrive as newer retail and cultural offerings come online.

Joe Carrol, Economic Development Committee chair for TPMS, led presentation and follow-up discussion about the Riggs Park and Manor Park Retail Market Analysis and Enhancement Strategy conducted by John Stover & Associates earlier this year. Follow-up questions and discussion focused on issues such as neighborhood security, rising rents affecting small businesses, foot and motor traffic patterns, and attracting consumers via enhanced streetscapes and placemaking promotions.

*Edwin Washington is the executive director of The Parks Main Street.