Economic Development

Ward 7 Leaders Protest CVS Closing, Demand Broader Economic Development along Penn Avenue East

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Washington, DC — On Wednesday, July 2, at 11:30 AM, ANC 7B and an informal coalition of Ward 7 community leaders hosted a protest and press event at CVS, 3250 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, to oppose the planned closure of the neighborhood’s only major pharmacy and retail location.

This CVS serves as a vital pharmacy and retail hub for more than 40,000 residents, many of whom are seniors, low-income families, and individuals with disabilities. Speakers included longtime Penn Branch resident and advocate Barbara Morgan, ANC Jimmie Williams, ANC Travis Swanson, ANC Keith Raphael Hassan-Towery, Eboni-Rose Thompson, Ward 7 representative State Board of Education (SBOE); Jacqueline Cannon, PAECC Chair; Former Ward 7 Councilmember Yvette Alexander, and PBCA Chair of Public Works, Alberta Paul, and also President, Paul Grant and many more.

ANC-Travis-Swanson-Speaks-at-Penn-Branch-CVS-Protest-on-July-2-2025

The event lasted roughly two hours, community asked that CVS:

  • Keep this location open
  • Support our community’s health and vitality
  • Invest in—not walk away from—our future

    Ward 7 Community Leaders Demand More of CVS

    Neighbors brought signs and their voices Let’s show that the Penn Branch community stands together—and won’t be overlooked. The event was co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Avenue East Main Streets (PAEMS), a program of Marshall Heights Community Development Corporation (MHCDO) and also Ascender Communications, Inc.–which provided sound equipment and signage.

    Sign Our Petition to Keep CVS in Penn Branch

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    ANCs from 7B, PAECC, and Neighborhoods along Pennsylvania Avenue SE Corridor Unite to Launch Change.org Petition to Urge CVS Health to Keep Store #1335 Open at The Shops at Penn Branch.

    The management of this newly built store has quietly announced their last day of operation will be July 9th.

    Sign our petition now!

    #CVS #SHOPSATPENNBRANCHDC #PENNBRANCH #SEDC #DC #WARD7

    https://www.change.org/keepcvsinpennbranchdc
    Sign our petition to keep CVS open in Penn Branch DC!

    https://www.change.org/keepcvsinpennbranchdc

    Get Ready for Art All Night 2023

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    Mayor Muriel Bowser in partnership with the Pennsylvania Avenue East Main Street Pennsylvania Avenue East Main Street(PAEMS) will host the 3rd annual ART ALL NIGHT 2023 along Pennsylvania Avenue, SE on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023!!! Be sure to join us for live music, fashion, beauty, vendors, food trucks, musical performances and much more at three locations including:

    FT. DAVIS PARK (3800 Pennsylvania + Alabama Avenue SE)

    DC Dream Center / Southeast Whitehouse (2826 Q Street SE)

    DINE ALL NIGHT @ HIGHLAND’S CAFE + GRILL (The Shops at Penn Branch )

    Be sure to visit us at: paemsartallnight.org for all the updated artist listings, performance times.

    Jair Lynch Proposes Phase II Apartment Development at ‘The Shops at Penn Branch’

    The owner of The Shops at Penn Branch (Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners) recently made public their plans to develop Phase II, an apartment building that will be built over the rear parking lot of the renovated shopping center located at along Pennsylvania and Branch Avenues.
    Their current building design and plan includes:

    • Four stories plus penthouse
    • 175-185 single and family size rental units
    • A parking lot underneath the building (73 spaces)
    • Landscaped transition sections where the site borders single family homes on O Street
    • 10% of the units designated as “affordable” at 60% Area Median Income (AMI) as required by zoning regulations
    • 90% of the units are at market price at 80% AMI
    • A possible retail space at 5000-6000 square footage on the ground floor

     

    DOWNLOAD JAIR LYNCH, JAN 13th
    PRESENTATION

    Download Jan 13th PDF

    New Food Options Coming to Penn Branch Shopping Center

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    Our next general body community meeting guest will feature Anthony Startt, from Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners will speak about new developments at Penn Branch Shopping Center.  Please click the link below to view /download  Jair Lynch Real Estate recent presentation for more information.  Join us at 7:00PM via Zoom. to ask your rquestions.

    Penn Branch_ANC Presentation_2021_10_21-JAIR LYNCH PRESENTATION

    Remember to join our PBCA Community meeting on 

    TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9th @7:00 – 8:30PM

    Zoom Meeting ID: 875 614 7925   Passcode: 766049    Dial-In: (301) 715-8592