There is a consensus among citizens to link the Takoma, DC Metro area, through Old Town to Takoma Junction. This could be accomplished through the following steps:

Common linkages are Carroll Avenue (state Route 187) and the METRO station. As a state route and major thoroughfare Carroll Ave. generates much vehicular traffic and the METRO generates considerable foot traffic. A cohesive plan to market and fully develop all the areas makes sense (including Takoma, DC). The area currently is not marketed well.

The first step should be outreach to the business community in Takoma Park and the District. This can be accomplished by working with the Montgomery County Business Resource Center, City's Community Development Staff and the appropriate District of Columbia entity. The goal would be to introduce the services available from the Business Resource Center and to set up a meeting with all business owners for the purpose of developing a strong business owners association.

Architecturally appropriate signs should be erected through out the City directing visitors to the Downtown Takoma area, including signs for parking.

The City should prepare an application for the Main Street Maryland Program. If not accepted into the program developing the application will help the community set goals, organize, and prepare for the next year's application.

The large blue Welcome to Maryland sign on Eastern and Carroll is out of place and should be replaced with a smaller, more tasteful "Welcome to Takoma Park, Maryland" gateway sign.

The City should build a Task Force for economic development in Downtown Takoma.

• Establish a Downtown Takoma Task Force that includes Takoma Park Councilmember's Bruce Williams, Larry Rubin, and representatives from:

• Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs
• Maryland National Capital Park and Planning
• State Delegate Peter Franchot's Staff
• Montgomery County Councilmember Derick Berlage's staff
• Takoma Park Community Development Team
• Takoma Park Planning Center
• Montgomery County Department of Economic Development
• District of Columbia Department of Community & Economic Development
• District of Columbia Council Member Staff
• Takoma Park Police Department
• District of Columbia Police Department
• Downtown Takoma area business community
• City-wide business community (executives)
• METRO

• With the large number of representatives it is expected that much work will be done by sub-committee i.e. public safety. It is important that this task force not be weighed down with well-meaning but not well-informed citizens. "The opinions of about 10 well-informed executives will probably be more useful than the opinions of hundreds of random citizens,".
• Example actions the Task Force can take:

• The committee should begin with an analysis of current business assets as well as impediments to business, identification of needs such as business diversity, and the development of a long-range plan. This could be accomplished with a SWOT analysis. Then a business marketing and incentive can be discussed that will meet the targeted needs.
• Complete a physical assessment checklist.
• Develop marketing literature. Develop and distribute cooperative advertising.
• Create a Downtown Takoma business directory and update, as needed.
• Develop a brochure for existing and new businesses explaining the process for creating or expanding a business in the City.
• Organize a stronger business association.
• Develop and install banners for the Metro, DC, Old Town, and the Junction with a common theme but with the appropriate lettering for each area (e.g., Takoma, DC, Takoma Old Town, Takoma Junction).
• Convene real estate roundtables with commercial property owners and brokers.

It is important the City appoint a designated leader for this team. That way all information is gathered in one place, there is less task duplication, and coordination problems are minimized.

Perhaps a public private urban partnership (i.e. business improvement district) could be formed that would focus on maintenance, landscaping and promotional projects which could assist the downtown to thrive and prosper.

Contact with Metro should be maintained but any development plans for the Metro owned property are far into the future and the Takoma station ranks lower on their list of priorities.

All three auto repair establishments in Takoma Junction are contributing toward the difficulty in attracting retail tenants to the area. The two auto repair establishments between the City-owned lot and the Fire Station may be contaminated. All efforts should be made to move these businesses. This would make the City-owned lot more attractive and would provide parking if the City-owned lot was developed.

The City has attracted no interest in the City owned parking lot on Carroll Avenue in Takoma Junction. Its time to get creative. Perhaps an incubator for high tech "start up" entrepreneurs.

The area needs facade improvements, especially Takoma DC and Takoma Junction. The Montgomery County Facade Easement Program should be explained to Takoma Park residents and the DC representatives should be asked to provide a similar program.

The sign ordinance should be reviewed, modified as necessary and enforced after a marketing program is established.

Physical improvements should be phased in including wider sidewalks, common period lighting, and benches. Better signs are needed directing potential customers to public parking. A park and shop program should be studied. Perhaps Ride-On bus tokens could be provided with a purchase at a participating establishment.

A better mix of retail tenants is required (especially in the Junction and near the Metro).

Niche marketing for retail tenants should be implemented. Possible tenants: athletic shoes, women's clothing, jeans, audio components, computers, and bicycle shop.

Community relations with the CVS drugstore and other developers should be repaired. Instead of treating them like an enemy of the community, make them a partner in our future. Work in partnership with CVS and developers to address community concerns.

Downtown Takoma is another area that would benefit from the burying of utility lines. Therefore Takoma Park should be added as a supplemental addition to the Maryland Transportation Departments Quality Community Survey Project.

Washington DC Mayor Anthony Williams has stated that economic development will be a priority item with his administration. Strategic areas listed in his Economic Development Strategy include planning and developing neighborhoods, generating commercial and industrial activity, transportation, housing, arts and recreation and community life. In a recent meeting with neighboring County Executives, Mayor Williams expressed interest in working with Montgomery County along Georgia Ave. The City of Takoma Park should be an active player in these discussions. The City should also consider annexing part of Georgia Ave. where Montgomery College plans to expand. Traffic from this area would help invigorate the downtown Metro area.