The Bowser administration announced Tuesday a new grant program to support local and minority-owned retail businesses in developing space at The Parks at Walter Reed.
In recent years, the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center campus has been transformed into a thriving mixed-use community featuring housing, retail, restaurants and a Whole Foods grocery store.
“Our vision for the Parks at Walter Reed is a vibrant, amenity-rich community that creates opportunities for District residents and businesses,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “This whole process of redeveloping the Walter Reed campus has been driven by the community, and with these grants, we have another way of bringing the local business community into the process and the prosperity that we are creating here.”
Known as the Walter Reed Retail Opportunity Grant Program, it will support businesses that activate the retail areas on The Parks at Walter Reed campus, support job opportunities, and better improve customer experience. Funds from this grant can be used for design and construction costs, to purchase vital equipment, or to preserve historic spaces while expanding them for retail use.
Nina Albert, the deputy mayor for planning and economic development, expressed excitement for the grant program.
“This grant is one way Mayor Bowser and DMPED are supporting our goal in the Comeback Plan of increasing the share of minority-owned employer businesses here in D.C.,” Albert said.
Applications for the Walter Reed Retail Opportunity Grant Program close on March 8. To apply, go to DMPED’s website.