Golden Triangle BID Announces "Arts in Storefronts" Program to Liven Up Vacant Spaces
Release Date: Thursday, November 18th 2010
The Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID) announces its “Arts in Storefronts” program with the unveiling of its first artistic display in a vacant retail space on the ground level of the Brawner Building, across the street from the Farragut West Metro Station at 888 17th St. N.W. The artwork is a beautiful image of colorful trees in the fall.
The “Arts in Storefronts” program is designed to bring attractive art to ground level vacancies and is part of the Golden Triangle BID’s continuing effort to beautify and showcase the vibrancy of the city’s central business district.
In the first phase of the “Arts in Storefronts,” the Golden Triangle BID has selected the Brawner Building for its pilot program. As part of the pilot program, the BID worked with the landlord to select art that would best enhance the property. For future projects, the BID will manage the program, including identifying a collection of artwork, creating an archive and coordinating the process with the landlord to display the image in the windows.
“Our goal is to transform vacant storefronts into eye-catching displays and eventually encourage potential occupants to see the value of locating in that space,” said Leona Agouridis, the executive director of the Golden Triangle BID. “The display will replace ‘For Lease’ signs with art that will bring exposure and provide advertising that will draw positive attention to the spaces available.”
James E. Brawner, executive vice president, managing director Brawner Management LLC, said the program is an innovative way to attract attention. “We are proud to be the first building to participate in the ‘Arts in Storefronts’ program with the Golden Triangle BID,” Brawner said. “This program is a terrific way to showcase our to-be-leased space and meet our company objective to create an attractive streetscape during our modernization project. The art has proven to be a successful way in drawing attention to the value of this retail space.”
Agouridis said the program complements the BID’s other efforts to create a sense of place and community throughout the business community.
This is the Golden Triangle BID’s latest effort to use Public Art to make the 43-block area one of the city’s most vibrant commercial districts. By strengthening the identity of the Golden Triangle and improving the quality of public spaces, the BID hopes to attract more people to the area.
In addition to the ‘Arts in Storefronts’ program, the BID has placed three decorative bike racks. Last month, the BID, along with the D.C. Department of Transportation, unveiled a new artistic bike rack named “(Re) Cycle,” at 1901 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. The rack, which can hold 10 bikes, is made out of used green parking meter heads provided by the city’s transportation department. Art also graces the entrances of the Farragut North and Farragut West Metro stations. Construction just began on a landscaped median along Connecticut Avenue NW from K to L streets NW.
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