about us

Pennsylvania Avenue East Community Coalition (PAECC)

about us

The Pennsylvania Avenue East Community Coalition (PAECC), a 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organization, was formed on February 13, 2020 and is comprised of Community Civic Association Presidents and or community activists who live in the nearby neighborhoods of Dupont Park, Fairlawn, Fairfax Village, Fort Davis, Hillcrest, Penn Branch, and Randle Highlands, who are working together to bring long-overdue development to the area. The members bring years of knowledge of the area’s history and are personally invested and dedicated to seeing long-overdue economic development in our communities realized.

The PAECC was formed to collectively and responsibly advance the common good and general welfare of the people who live along the Pennsylvania Avenue East Corridor by bringing about civic betterment, social improvements, and developing an engaging business and resident corridor. PAECC advocates for issues that impact the Penn Ave East Corridor. We are Change Agents.

Read our Marketing Brochure for more information about us. PAECC Marketing Brochure.

The PAECC is a continuation of the activites and achievements of the Pennsylvania Avenue East Economic Development Committee (PAEEDC - see below).

PAECC mission

The mission of the Pennsylvania Avenue East Community Coalition (PAECC) is to work collectively and responsibly on issues that impact the Pennsylvania Avenue East Corridor (entrance of the Sousa Bridge to Southern Avenue) and focus on neighborhood revitalization and sustainable development that make our communities walkable, bikeable, public transit friendly, eminently livable, and equally competitive with other areas of the city.

PAECC Objectives

The Objectives of the Pennsylvania Avenue East Community Coalition (PAECC) are:

1. Facilitate community inclusiveness, sustainability, awareness, investment, and involvement to promote a safe, vibrant neighborhood.

2. Establish a work plan for future neighborhood growth.

3. Develop supportive collaborations with area agencies and organizations to improve economic development opportunities.

4. Enhance the neighborhood’s economic well-being by attracting new businesses and strengthening relationships with existing businesses.

5. Provide residents with a prosperous community where ample opportunities exist to work and shop.

6. Promote the neighborhood to businesses.

PAECC Significant Accomplishments

PAECC successfully advocated and obtained funding for a Pennsylvania Avenue East Main Street Program and a Pennsylvania Avenue East Small Area Plan Update. These are major WINS for the Community!

On July 23, 2020, the DC Council approved the Fiscal Year 2021 Local Budget Act of 2020 (Bill 23-761). The Bill passed 13-0 and includes two initiatives sponsored by Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray, $200,000 for a Pennsylvania Avenue East Main Street Program and $250,000 to update the Small Area Plan for Penn Ave East. The approval of funding is a significant accomplishment of the Pennsylvania Avenue East Community Coalition (PAECC), a group of Community Civic Association Presidents and or community activists who live in nearby communities such as Dupont Park, Fairlawn, Fairfax Village, Fort Davis, Hillcrest, Penn Branch, and Randle Highlands, who are working together to bring long-overdue development to the area. The PAECC successfully lobbied the support of Vincent Gray, Ward 7 Councilmember; John Falcicchio, Interim Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development; and Kenyan McDuffie, Ward 5 Councilmember and Chair, Committee of Business and Economic Development, to support the funding efforts

PAECC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Pennsylvania Avenue East Community Coalition (PAECC) Board of Directors who live in the Dupont Park, Fairlawn, Fairfax Village, Fort Davis, Hillcrest, Penn Branch, and Randle Highlands Neighborhoods:

Jacquelyn Cannon, Chair Pennsylvania Avenue East Community Coalition (PAECC) and Past President Penn Branch Community Association (PBCA)

Travis Swanson, Treasurer PAECC and Director of Community Outreach Randle Highlands Citizens' Civic Association, and ANC 7B03 Commissioner

M Viveca Miller, PAECC Communications Director, and PAEEDC Member

Veronica Beverly, Member PBCA

Rev. Kendrick Curry, Sr., Pastor Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church

Paul Grant, President Penn Branch Community Association

Linda Green, President Fort Davis Civic Association

Cortez Johnson, President Fairfax Village Condominium Association VI

Villareal Johnson, President Hillcrest Community Civic Association

Kyle Murphy, Former First Vice-President PBCA

Graylin Presbury, President Fairlawn Citizens Association

Earl Williams, Chair, Skyland Town Center Taskforce

Pennsylvania Avenue East Economic Development Committee (PAEEDC)

Pennsylvania Avenue East Economic Development Committee (PAEEDC) was formed as a result of a Penn Branch Living Room chat series focused on neighborhood and community improvement. The committee consists of residents from nearby neighborhoods communities such as Dupont Park, Fairlawn, Fairfax Village, Fort Davis, Hillcrest, Penn Branch, and Randle Highlands. Meetings to date have focused on familiarizing ourselves with the city's plans for and funding of development in Ward 7, prioritizing which key development sites to address and shaping our vision for a revitalized community. We've also engaged city representatives about the potential and challenges of economic development in our community. On February 13, 2020 members of PAEEDC united with the Pennsylvania Avenue East Community Coalition to support the revitalization of Penn Ave East. Significant projects completed by PAEEDC include: This Website, Penn Branch Shopping Center Redevelopment Presentation, Penn Ave Pitch Book, and 32 Comprehensive Plan Submissions for Chapter 17 – Far Northeast Southeast Area Element. PAEEDC members have partnered with the Pennsylvania Avenue East Community Coalition to focus on neighborhood and community improvement along the Pennsylvania Avenue East Corridor from the entrance of the Sousa Bridge to Southern Avenue SE.