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H Street, NE businesses show renewed optimism and growth following a successful festival that countered a summer downturn.
WASHINGTON — DC’s historic H Street, NE, is riding a wave of optimism, thanks in part to its annual H Street Festival. Neighbors and businesses at Monday’s neighborhood meeting felt the influx of people and positive energy couldn’t have come at a better time, as the neighborhood’s restaurants and bars had been reporting a significant downturn in business earlier this month.
Business owners attributed the slow start to the end of summer, coupled with the chilling effect of a highly visible federal police surge. Yet, following the festival, the mood has shifted, with many now believing the street has finally turned a corner.
The Summer Setback
The beginning of September was described as a “bust” for many H Street businesses. The summer slump was compounded by a controversial federal presence, which some felt was actively discouraging visitors.
“It’s disconcerting to see armed police officers marching up and down the street. ICE guys in vests and shorts and a mask,” said Tony Tomelden, owner of The Pug, reflecting on the challenging period. The increased show of force, rather than promoting safety, seemed to intimidate potential customers.
Issues during the 2023 crime spike spurred regular public safety meetings, where neighbors, business owners, and police commanders convene to address community issues.
One year in, as Metropolitan Police Department 1st District Commander Colin Hall noted, the goal of these meetings is simple: “this is about making H Street safer and improving H Street.”
This year, the prospects for H Street look significantly brighter. Monday, business owners credited two main factors for the improved outlook: a perceived drop in crime and the massive success of the H Street Festival.
Anwar Saleem, Executive Director of H Street Main Street, pointed to broader growth, noting, “Over the last year we’ve attracted 12 new businesses.” This sustained development provides a foundation for the current excitement.
For many, though, the festival is the crucial catalyst. Tomelden called the event a definitive “turning point,” especially after it drew an estimated 160,000 people to the street. The surge of activity has created a much-needed buzz.
Police reports seem to back up the positive shift, at least in some areas. MPD Commander Hall told the group they’ve seen a “73 percent decrease in robberies,” an encouraging statistic for a commercial corridor.
Many of the residents and business owners at the meeting echoed the feeling of an improved atmosphere. “Crime is significantly down, especially on H street—it’s much calmer than it was,” Tomelden added.
But not everyone shares that rosy outlook. The issue of crime remains a point of contention for some business owners.
Danny Kampf, the owner of Atlas Doghouse, a pet daycare, is among the skeptics, believing the situation is worsening, not improving. He voiced his deep frustrations at Monday’s meeting, stating, “this feels like rearranging deck chairs on the titanic.”
Kampf had concerns about illegal activities taking place in front of his building, nuisance loitering, and the overall crime rate of the District. He said his concerns are dire: “My business is going to close and go bankrupt. I am going to go personally bankrupt due to the crime, and it’s absurd.”
But, MPD Commander Hall pointed out, that is the point of public safety meetings to grapple with this very friction, acknowledging that even if the majority sees improvement, a single business facing collapse is a problem that needs solving.
Hall responded to Kampf saying, “There’s definitely something we can do—nobody has to run a business like that or live like that.”
Ultimately, the consensus of the room was a positive one. That H Street is seeing an exciting resurgence.
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