May 2025 Minutes

BNCA Meeting Minutes
May 20, 2025
Officers present: President – Dawn Amore, Vice President – John Leibovitz, Treasurer – Josh Bercu, Membership Director – René McCray, Communications Director – Elise Scott, At-large Member – Kinyofu Mlimwengu

1. Introduction and Purpose

The May 20 Brookland Neighborhood Civic Association (BNCA) meeting convened community members, local business owners, and representatives from city government and MPD to discuss the state of the Brookland commercial corridor, particularly 12th Street NE. The discussion centered on current strengths, challenges facing small businesses, safety concerns, economic headwinds, and concrete ways that neighbors and policymakers can provide support.

2. Community Events and Engagement Highlights

• The Brookland yard sale featured 66 tables across 175 locations, making it one of the largest to date.
• A new ‘Passport’ program incentivized visitors to travel to multiple yard sale tables, collecting keywords.
• Top participant visited 50 tables, demonstrating strong resident enthusiasm.
• Winners received local business gift certificates.
- These events reflected Brookland’s strong spirit of volunteerism and grassroots organization.

3. 12th Street Business Roundtable

3.1 Participants

• Tony Tomelden, Brookland’s Finest
• Sebastian Zutant, Primrose
• Ettore Rusciano, Menomale/Salumeria 2703
• Atchoi Bond, Vibrant Textures
• Officer Reddy, MPD 504

3.2 Strengths

• Deep community ties: Many business owners live in the neighborhood and send their children to local schools.
• Customer loyalty: Businesses report longtime regulars who show ongoing support.
• Cultural value: Residents appreciate diversity of offerings, from barbershops to family-owned restaurants.
• Post-COVID rebound: Some improvement in traffic since pandemic lows, especially during weekends.

3.3 Challenges

• Operating costs have surged: Payroll has doubled for some; food costs, rent, and utilities are all rising.
• Tips processing adds up to thousands in yearly fees.
• Business hours are limited to weekends due to low weekday traffic.
• Changes in consumer behavior: Fewer celebrations, events, and social outings mean less foot traffic.
• Frustration with vacant storefronts: Some properties have sat empty for nearly a decade.
• Limited civic engagement from large institutions like nearby universities and developers.

3.4 Crime, Safety, and Policing Insights

• MPD reported an overall decrease in crime, including zero homicides this year in the corridor.
• 
Robberies and burglaries are down, but theft and carjackings remain concerns.
• MPD noted low morale and staffing shortages across MPD. Officers feel unsupported and overburdened.
• Community policing is emphasized as a critical tool in maintaining safety and trust.

3.5 Community Support Ideas

• Organize regular neighborhood nights at local restaurants.
• Create a ‘Taste of Brookland’ event or seasonal street festivals.
• Develop loyalty cards or a points system to reward local spending.
• Encourage walkable discovery of under-visited local shops.
• Launch a youth project to create social media content promoting local businesses.

3.6 Public Policy Ideas

• Property tax credits for landlords who lower rents or lease to small businesses.
• Adjust vacancy tax to count individual vacant units rather than whole properties.
• Consider opt-in wage/tip flexibility under Initiative 82 for service workers.
• Explore cooperative ownership models for succession planning among retiring business owners.
• Push for formal Main Street designation or similar city-backed support for 12th Street NE.

3.7 Shifts in Local Economic Behavior

• Reduced demand tied to changes in post-pandemic routines, remote work, and fewer formal events.
• Consumers dining out less and spending more conservatively.
• High competition from lower-cost chains with greater marketing budgets.
• Neighborhood no longer seen as a ‘destination corridor,’ but rather a local stop.
• Suggestions include community engagement with new residents and targeted promotions.

7. Proposed Next Steps and Follow-Up

• BNCA will compile a formal report to present to the Council, ANC, and Mayor’s Office.
• Organize a working group to pursue events like a Brookland street festival or food tour.
• Outreach to large institutions (e.g., Catholic University, Trinity) for procurement partnerships.
• Develop ongoing survey or feedback mechanisms to track business needs and resident engagement.

8. Conclusion

Brookland’s businesses are a vital part of the community fabric. This meeting surfaced clear challenges—rising costs, demand shifts, landlord dynamics—but also strong opportunities for collaboration, creativity, and policy innovation. The BNCA is committed to sustaining momentum and channeling community energy into tangible support for our local economy.