Bowser Administration Releases Request for Applications for Safe Commercial Corridor Grants

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice (DMPSJ) released a Request for Application (RFA) for $1.1 million in grant funds available in Fiscal Year 2024 to support a range of public safety initiatives in three commercial corridors. The RFA for the Safe Commercial Corridors Grant Program will be open through Friday, January 12, with awards announced in February 2024. 

“Our city’s commercial corridors are vibrant centers of opportunity for entrepreneurs and destinations for residents and visitors alike to shop, dine, and experience the best of DC,” said Mayor Bowser. “These grants will empower people and organizations who are invested in our communities and who are passionate about supporting our local businesses.” 
 
The Safe Commercial Corridors Grant Program will fund the following activities: 

• Relationship-building with residents, workers, businesses, and regular visitors;  
• Connecting residents, workers, visitors, and businesses with resources available through District government agencies and direct service providers; 
• Providing safe passage for individuals who request accompaniment walking to transit or their vehicles;  
• Assisting business owners with improvements to their security and safety systems and protocols; 
• Responding to individuals with substance use disorders and implementing harm-reduction strategies;  
• Implementing de-escalation techniques;  
• Deterring crime and public safety violations;  
• Liaising with residents, workers, businesses, visitors, District public safety and health agencies, direct service providers in the community, and others as appropriate;  
• Providing culturally competent services and programming; and  
• Implementing other innovative strategies to promote public safety. 

The three commercial corridors included in the program are Downtown, Shaw, and Adams Morgan. 

This program was established in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget by Councilmember Brooke Pinto who serves as chairwoman of the Council’s Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety. 

“Maintaining safe commercial corridors is imperative for residents, visitors, and the economic vitality of the District,” said Councilmember Brooke Pinto. “I am thrilled that today, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice announced that the requests for applications are open for the Safe Commercial Corridors Grants Program that I established in this year’s budget. These grants will allow organizations in our communities to implement the immediate and innovative public safety solutions that are sorely needed in commercial corridors in the District.” 

“The Safe Commercial Corridor Grant Program is one example of how the Bowser Administration is working together with the Committee on the Judiciary and Public to make our city safer, stronger, and a place of collective flourishing,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Lindsey Appiah. “We look forward to reviewing applications that promote public safety and public health through evidence-based activities for residents, workers, and visitors within these commercial corridors.” 

Prospective applicants can learn more about the Safe Commercial Corridor Grant Program and RFA by visiting https://dmpsj.dc.gov/page/safe-commercial-corridors-grant-program.
 

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