About Us

Mid City Residents Association (MCRA) is a registered 501(c) (3) not-for-profit corporation and all donations are tax deductible as a charitable contribution to thof the law.

Current Officers

Promoting development … MCRA:

• Initiated and produced the marketing and demographic study of this neighborhood that persuaded Whole Foods Market to locate their proposed new DC store at 1440 P St., NW, and brokered the 2-year-long negotiations between Whole Foods and the property owner to secure the lease on the P Street site (1997-1998)
• Worked closely with developers (including SJG Properties, Hoffman Development, Metropolis, and Walnut Street Development) on the Lofts 14, Lofts 14/2, Saxon Court, Metro, Hudson, Desoto, Cooper-Lewis, Rainbow Lofts, Q14 and Metropole condominium developments to encourage high-quality development of the 14th, P and Church Street corridors and to ensure that the character of the existing historic buildings within the Greater 14th Street Historic District is retained (1998 - 2005)  
• Initiated, in response to a request from the Board of Zoning Adjustment, a mapping project to document the number and type of eating and drinking establishments located on the 14th and U Streets corridors within the ARTS Overlay zone district, and continues to aid the Zoning Administrator to maintain and update this database (since 2006)
• Takes an active ongoing role in local zoning and development-related issues, most recently by providing the secretariat for the zoning and economic development review conducted by the ANC2F ARTS Overlay Review Committee, and participating in the work of DC’s Zoning Review Taskforce on the Commercial Corridors subject area (2009)

Promoting Quality of Life … MCRA:

• Initiated a Bike Safety sign pilot project.   In an effort to address shared resources, kick start a dialogue and promote bicycle safety, the District's Department of Transportation (DDOT), the Washington Area Bicycle Association, the Bike Rack, ANC2F, & MCRA placed 100 Bike Safety signs in tree boxes along heavily traveled bicycle routes in Logan Circle.  The signs were designed by DDOT with input from the WABA, Bike Rack and MCRA and funded by ANC2F.   (2013 - 2014)
• Operated and managed -- through the MCRA Dog Park Committee and in partnership with the DC Department of Parks and Recreation -- the Shaw Dog Park on 11th Street between Q and R (2008-2011, when Shaw Dog Park Association incorporated as a separate non-profit organization).
• Formed a coalition of local residents and commercial property owners to successfully appeal a decision of the DC Zoning Administrator to the Board of Zoning Adjustment regarding an impermissible commercial use (animal boarding) in the ARTS/ C-3-A zone that entailed serious adverse impacts on surrounding residential and commercial property owners (2003 – 2004)
• Initiated and worked closely with the DC Office of Planning and the DC Zoning Commission on major amendments to the DC Zoning Regulations to re-write zoning laws related to commercial uses (Animal Boarding, Pet Grooming Establishments, Pet Shops, Veterinary Hospitals, Animal Shelters) that affect densely populated “mixed-use” downtown neighborhoods (2005-2006)
• Negotiated successfully with the developer to secure the 2nd level of underground parking at the Q14 condominium site (2004)
• Has worked closely for many years with licensees, property owners, developers, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2F and the DC Alcoholic Beverage Control Board on liquor licensing issues and voluntary agreements with local restaurants, bars and clubs (including Rice Restaurant, Viridian Restaurant, ACKC Cocoa & Wine Bar, Halo Lounge, Studio Theatre, HR-57 Jazz Club, Diversite nightclub, etc) (1998-2009)
• Worked closely with ANC2F, DC Department of Transportation and DC Department of Public Works to achieve the reconstruction and repaving of the alley by that runs between 14th and 15th Streets and between Q and Church Streets (2008)
• Carried out a major reconstruction of 40 tree boxes on the 1400 block of Q St (2009)
• Plays an active ongoing role with regard to numerous community issues such as tree box planting, block clean-ups, graffiti removal, bus stop locations, green spaces, noise, construction traffic management, parking policies, cycle lanes, crime, and security