OUR MISSION

Friends of Rhode Island Avenue NE is dedicated to promoting, developing, and enhancing Rhode Island Avenue NE as a culturally, socially, and economically vibrant community in Washington D.C.

Our goal is to raise awareness of the RIA NE corridor and to advocate for its positive redevelopment. We are an all volunteer organization that offers free membership and welcomes all to participate.

FoRIA’S STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

FINANCIAL INVESTMENT IN RHODE ISLAND AVENUE NE

Rhode Island Avenue NE is designated a “Great Street” by the Deputy Mayor’s office. Under the Great Streets program the Deputy Mayor’s office has committed to transforming the “Rhode Island Avenue NE corridor into a thriving and inviting neighborhood center.” It is time to FUND this program! Friends of RIA encourages DC government to invest our tax dollars in the renewal of Rhode Island Avenue NE via the Great Streets program and other public renewal mechanisms. We are also actively seeking private and nonprofit investment in the Avenue.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS

Friends of Rhode Island Avenue NE is committed to including all new and established residents, and collaborating with community partners, in this movement to restore our neighborhood. We welcome everyone to join us – it’s free. We are dedicated to serving as a voice for progress on Rhode Island Avenue NE and to hosting fun social events that will provide an opportunity for us all to gather as a community of friends. We will continue to host an open survey for neighbors to weigh in on their vision for Rhode Island Avenue NE renewal. We welcome volunteers to form and serve on committees that further these priorities. Email us to form a committee.

BEAUTIFICATION OF RHODE ISLAND AVENUE NE

Friends of Rhode Island Avenue NE supports the beautification of the Avenue, which has many assets including wide sidewalks, historic storefronts, and mature trees. We are committed to promoting and enhancing these features. Friends of RIA has formed a Green Streetscape Committee that will begin work on a tree-planting initiative along the entire Avenue. We will support initiatives to help businesses create welcoming storefront environments for customers. We also encourage the beautification of abandoned storefronts with temporary murals and art installations. District government has an important role to play in the beautification process, and we are committed to working with city officials toward this end.

SUPPORT EXISTING BUSINESSES AND ATTRACT NEW BUSINESSES

Friends of Rhode Island Avenue NE dedicates its loyalty and support to businesses that have already invested in our Avenue. We will co-host community events with RIA businesses and encourage our Friends to shop on Rhode Island Avenue NE. Additionally, we will provide feedback from our Friends to local businesses, so that they may better serve our needs and capture more of the neighborhood’s disposable income. Friends of RIA will use data collected by our survey to target and recruit new businesses to the Avenue. We have also formed a committee to investigate temporary “pop-up” commercial uses.