The $5 Billion Creative New Deal

Washington, DC shouldn't just be the capital of politics; it must be the Capital of Culture. We gave the world Dave Chappelle and Samuel L. Jackson. We gave the world Go-Go, the heartbeat of our streets. But today, our creators are being priced out of the city they built.

Khan’s $5 Billion Creative New Deal transforms DC from a city of bureaucracy into a global engine for the arts, sciences, and style. We aren’t just building apartments; we’re building the next Broadway, the next Silicon Valley, and the next Paris of the West right here in the 202.

The Four Pillars of the Creative New Deal

1. Live Where You Create: The $900 Rent Cap

• The Problem: You can't design a masterpiece if you’re working three jobs to pay for a $3,000 studio.

• The Plan: We are capping rents and mortgages for creative workers and long-term residents.

  • $900 for a 1-Bedroom | $1,250 for a 2-Bedroom | $1,500 for a 3-Bedroom.

• The Goal: End the era of the "starving artist" in the District.

2. The Next Global Fashion Capital

• The Vision: Move over, Paris and London. The next Goyard, Dior, and Gucci shouldn't have to start in Europe—they should start in DC.

• The Plan: Dedicated grants and state-of-the-art Design Ateliers for local clothiers, tailors, and luxury designers.

• The Goal: We will provide the manufacturing infrastructure and global marketing to ensure "Made in DC" becomes the world's most coveted luxury label.

3. "Third Spaces": The 24/7 Engine of Talent

• The Plan: A network of Creative Third Spaces across all eight wards—publicly funded, high-tech hubs.

• 🌙 Open Late for the Hustle: Greatness doesn't always happen between 9-to-5. Our studios and labs stay open late, so those working day jobs can grind on their craft after hours.

  • Recording Studios: Professional gear for local artists to drop the next platinum record.

  • The Mentorship Program: Establishing the Chappelle-Jackson Performance Center, where DC-born legends mentor the next generation.

  • Innovation Labs: Merging arts and sciences to foster tech breakthroughs.

4. Go-Go: The Beat of the Economy

• The Plan: A permanent Go-Go Global Fund to support local bands and preserve live-music venues.

• The Goal: Protect the "Pocket" from noise complaints and gentrification, making DC a world-class destination for live music.

🛡️ The "No-Leak" Guarantee: Radical Accountability

A $5 Billion investment only works if it reaches the people, not the pockets of well-connected consultants.

• Quarterly Audits: Every cent will be subject to independent audits published on a public dashboard. If the money isn't hitting the street, the public will know exactly why.

• Direct-to-Artist Funding: We are cutting the red tape. Funding goes directly to creators, students, and local venues—not "middle-man" developers.

• Clawback Provisions: If a recipient fails to provide the promised affordable units or creative programming, they pay the city back with interest. No excuses.

The Bottom Line

They want to turn DC into a playground for the 1%. Khan wants to turn it into a workshop for the 100%.

Join the movement: khan4dc.org