U Street's commercial strip, once known as Black Broadway for its storied run as a hub of African American music and business, could soon get a dedicated management district aimed at reversing years of post-pandemic decline. Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau filed legislation last week to create the Duke Business Improvement District, a self-taxing zone that would stretch along U Street and into nearby Shaw and Howard University-adjacent blocks.
Nadeau co-introduced the bill on October 8 alongside Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto, according to the Office of Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau. As reported by DC News Now, if approved by the full Council, the Duke BID would become the 13th such district in the city, joining established commercial entities like the DowntownDC BID, Dupont Circle BID and Navy Yard BID.
A Decades-Long Push Finally Gains Traction
The Duke BID was envisioned in the Duke Plan more than 20 years ago.
Nadeau said an organized group has gained buy-in after a long process, per DC News Now's report. More than half of the commercial property owners in the proposed zone have agreed to the BID.
From Public Authority To Self-Taxing District
Nadeau also proposed separate Neighborhood Management Authority legislation for Columbia Heights. The proposed authority would have broader representation, including residents and nonprofits, and received a committee hearing in September, the councilmember's office has said. U Street commercial property owners have backed the proposed self-taxing BID model.
The proposed Duke BID boundaries would extend along U Street NW from 16th Street to 6th Street and include commercial sections of 7th Street, 14th Street and Georgia Avenue near Howard University, as well as areas in Shaw.
Funding Through Parking Revenue And Seed Money
In September, the D.C. Council approved emergency legislation providing $1 million in start-up seed funding for the Duke BID, to be matched by revenue from a performance-parking zone, according to the Washington Business Journal. The performance-parking zone was established by legislation and will provide matching funds.
Jean Homza, community liaison for the 9:30 Club and other Institute for Music and Entertainment venues around the corridor, told DC News Now that U Street has become blighted again since the pandemic. She said the strip has lost retailers including Warby Parker, Compass Coffee and a 7-Eleven, leaving empty storefronts in their place, and that the corridor now sees more street parties than activity inside its venues.
What Backers Hope The District Delivers
Homza said she hopes the BID will market the neighborhood, revive restaurants and help make U Street a destination again, rather than a place people simply pass through. She added that a dedicated management entity could bring funding for safety, lighting improvements and even help revive the Funk Parade, according to the same report.
The proposed Duke BID would be the District’s 13th, joining the city’s existing self-taxing districts.
Historic Stakes Along Black Broadway
U Street is also known as Black Broadway.
The Duke BID legislation still requires formal Council approval before the district can be established. Nadeau introduced the Duke BID bill on October 8; her separate Columbia Heights-focused Neighborhood Management Authority legislation received a committee hearing in September and could reach a full Council vote later.
