In May 2018, ANC3B held a community-wide discussion focused on neighborhood concerns about the declining vitality of our commercial area.  Nearly 200 people attended, attesting to the high level of interest. The meeting was prompted in part by the closing of Whole Foods in a landlord dispute, which hurt local businesses that depended on the foot traffic the store brought to the neighborhood.

A committee formed after the meeting to research ways to bring new life to the business area identified DC’s Main Streets Program as a solution to our problem.  As the Glover Park Alliance, the group moved forward to engage stakeholders in the idea of becoming a Main Street.  The Alliance won key support from Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh, and from business owners, building owners, community leaders and residents for its application to become Glover Park Main Street (GPMS).

The Department of Small and Local Business Development awarded a renewable Main Street grant to Glover Park Alliance as of October 1, 2019.  In December, the Alliance hired Kate Dean as GPMS’s Executive Director.  By February 2020, a full 11-member Board of Directors was elected and plans were in place for GPMS projects to improve the streetscape and attract patrons to local businesses. In March, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered businesses to shut down in response to the COVID-19 crisis, so GPMS refocused its mission into providing capital and technical assistance.  After a very successful year one, GPMS is now in its second year of operation.