Riots to Revitalization: The Difference on H Street is Night and Day

FREE ENTERPRISE THE REVITALIZATION OF D.C'S H STREET RIOTS Following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., riots along the H Street corridor decimate the 1968 ATLAS THEATER neighborhood, reducing the once bustling commercial district to The historic Atlas Theater, once the anchor of the neighborhood, is purchased by the Atlas Performing Arts Center. The theater's renaissance is largely credited with history. 2001 EARLY INVESTORS catalyzing redevelopment efforts on H Street. 2004 Washington restaurateur Joe Englert buys eight H Street buildings that will become some of the neighborhood's hottest nightlife spots. GREAT STREETS The H Street Corridor is named as part of DC's Great Streets program, initiating improved streetscaping, sidewalks, and lighting. 2005 ACCOLADES 2013 The neighborh0od earns a Great American Main Street Award, draws a record crowd of more than 100,000 to the H Street Festival, and has its first major grocery store open. STREETCAR? Plans for the streetcar have been in the works since 2004. After a series of delays, the latest predictions estimate it could be operational in early 2014. 2014 www.FreeEnterprise.com