David Franco

Principal Board Member

Mr. David Franco is currently the Principal of Level 2 Development.

Mr. Franco believes strongly in addressing community needs. In 2005, he led an effort with Jubilee Housing that preserved the 48-unit Cresthill Apartments for the Sankofa Tenants Association. This created home ownership opportunities along the 14th Street corridor for low to medium income residents.

Mr. Franco co-founded a number of successful businesses between 1985 and 1993, including: Discount Mart, a DC-based, five unit general merchandise chain; Trumpets Restaurant; and Tracks Nightclub. In 1993, David founded Universal Gear, a men’s retail clothing store chain anchored in the District that expanded to include New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and Rehoboth Beach, DE, as well as online markets. David’s family has a rich retail history in Washington, D.C. His family’s first store, Jay Dee’s Children’s Apparel, operated from 1937-1984 in the downtown business district. Mr. Franco is committed to helping the residents of the District of Columbia.

A Ward 1 resident, Mr. Franco attended the University of Maryland, College Park.