WASHINGTON (Map, News) - From the Lofts at Brightwood, a new condominium complex in the 5800 block of Georgia Avenue Northwest, it’s a 1.6 mile drive to the closest retail stores in Silver Spring, Md.

City officials estimate District residents spend $1 billion a year on goods and services in the suburbs, because the clothes, housewares, hardware and grocery stores in town are inconvenient or inaccessible. The Georgia Avenue corridor is a prime example, D.C. leaders said Thursday, of an area in desperate need of a targeted retail infusion.

“This neighborhood, this city, deserves better,” D.C. Planning Office Director Harriet Tregoning said.

City officials unveiled plans for a $270,000, yearlong study of the District’s retail potential, breaking it down by neighborhood — from Deanwood to downtown, Brookland to Barracks Row, Adams Morgan to Anacostia. The Retail Action Strategy will focus on retaining, enhancing and expanding existing small retail and attracting national chains.

The study was announced during a press conference held at the future site of the Meridian Bar and Restaurant, a rare sit-down eatery on Georgia Avenue.

“The next step is to move to where we have more than carryout, where we have real restaurants and shops,” said Juan Powell, co-chief executive officer of the Neighborhood Development Co., which is developing the Brightwood lofts. “The goal should be to get a much higher class of retailer to the entire Georgia Avenue corridor.” Using the retail assessment, the city will focus developers’ attentions on specific neighborhoods through financial incentives and other means, Mayor Adrian Fenty said. One community might be ideal for a clothing boutique, while another might be more primed for big-box retail.

“I think most people are well aware the District has great, great retail potential,” Fenty said. “But a lot of time retailers just don’t understand that potential and it’s up to the government to be able to explain, to answer and to highlight it. And that’s what we’ll be doing.”

mneibauer@dcexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

5:52 AM MST on Sat., Apr. 12, 2008 re: "District entrepreneur takes light-up sneakers to the national shoe stage"

Examiner Reader said:
why is nothing ever realesed in australia? i have been looking for light up shoes for years and i finally find a pair and they arent selling in australia!!

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9:24 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Value City closing Baltimore-area stores"

D said:
Still cheap.

36 agree | 32 disagree
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7:20 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Value City closing Baltimore-area stores"

Examiner Reader said:
Cheap: I said trying not being sucessfull.

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6:44 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Value City closing Baltimore-area stores"

Cheap said:
Well, if you let him. Who's fault is that? Make a call.

46 agree | 34 disagree
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4:41 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Value City closing Baltimore-area stores"

Examiner Reader said:
Now I know what o'malley's march really stands for. He will stand by raise taxes and watch all of the businesses march out of Maryland.

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3:10 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Value City closing Baltimore-area stores"

Leaving MD said:
Value City is closing 37 of its 113 stores nationwide yet 7 of 8 of its MD stores are closing! How many jobs is that? How many other businesses will be affected by the MD closings. This is what a hostile business climate does! Thanks O'Malley! Thanks Franchot! Thanks Miller! Thanks Busch! Nice job boys.

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12:43 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Value City closing Baltimore-area stores"

City Resident said:
pretty sure this is O' Malleys fault. that and the fact that liberals are now using craigslist to buy second hand furniture....man, way to go Baltimore!

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12:42 PM MST on Tue., May. 29, 2007 re: "Penzeys spices up D.C. area with Rockville store"

Examiner Reader said:
WHat is the street address for Penskys???? You give the one for the new one in Falls Church.

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