EDITORIAL/OPINION

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The District Gave Us Streateries. Now, We Need Parking.

Building Back Better, BEST

Walking the commercial streets of Georgetown these days the relief, even joy, of shoppers, salon, café and restaurant patrons, and even tourists is as visible as the streets active with cars and sidewalks with people.

Everyone is noticing the streateries and expanded sidewalks, running along most sides M Street from about 29th to 33rd Streets and Wisconsin Avenue from Grace to S Streets, and a two small spots on 28th Street and up on up on P. Some shopkeepers display wares on chairs and tables outside. In the evenings, streateries, lighted up, make Georgetown come alive. “Streateries might be the saviour of Georgetown,” as onlookers have proclaimed.

“The District of Columbia has invested some $460,000 to date for the development of the secure but mobile platforms, protective shielding and landscaping,” according to Georgetown Business Improvement District CEO Joe Sternlieb. “The rest of the project’s total costs estimated to exceed one million dollars is being covered by the BID,” he said.

The expanded sidewalk-streatery project has been a vision of the Georgetown BID. The economic crisis brought on by the pandemic shutdown suddenly accelerated the project as a primary focus for the recovery of Georgetown’s small businesses. The one known unknown concern was parking. Streateries are taking up more that 200 street parking places, according to BID. That’s a big problem.

Shoppers and diners in Georgetown, used to parking on the street and running into favorite stores or having a quick bite, now cannot during the day. One shopkeeper showed the Georgetowner a text she received from a regular customer from Bethesda the day they were laying the expanded sidewalks on Wisconsin Avenue. “I’ve been looking for 25 minutes for a place to park so I can come into the shop and try on some things,” the customer wrote. “I’m giving up and going home. Sorry.” Almost $1,000 of expected business was lost, according to the upset shop owner, who struggled to stay open, especially after her shop was looted in June 2020.

There are thousands of parking spots in office garages, according to Sternlieb. Problem is, most are south of M Street and not available during working hours. Many people don’t want to walk uphill to shop and dine on Wisconsin Avenue, and others don’t want to retrieve their cars alone in a big garage. Many don’t want to chance a ticket by parking illegally nor pay extra on for-hire vehicles. BID has been trying to help some businesses negotiate discounts with parking lot owners. Still, the parking businesses have all the leverage.

Places like Bethesda support free and frequent, clean and well lit, easy off and on shuttles for customers from mid-morning to after midnight. Other municipalities subsidize free parking – usually 90 minutes at designated spots. In this regard, the District of Columbia should step up to the plate. After all, the city has spent almost a half million dollars to develop the widened sidewalks so more people might come. But now those eager consumers can’t park. The city should consider subsidizing shuttles, electric go carts and parking in partially used commercial or public lots throughout Georgetown. It’s not like the city can’t afford it. When Mayor Muriel Bowser introduced her 2021 budget May 26, the Washington Post wrote: “Bowser’s $17.5 billion budget, flush with federal dollars.” “We are using significant federal investments to provide recovery and growth opportunities across all eight wards,” Bowser said. “We have weathered the financial impacts of Covid.” “We did approach the city early in the pandemic about reducing parking lot taxes in exchange for agreement from operators to lower their rates,” Sternlieb told The Georgetowner. “The city said no. The city has always been reluctant to subsidize parking in private garages… albeit with some exceptions in Adams Morgan and at Union market.” So, today, it seems reasonable to ask D.C., flush with pandemic savings, to seriously consider the final piece of the streateries project. Subsidize parking for those shopping and dining in Georgetown.

School’s (almost) out for summer. A statement that would have been unthinkable a year ago given the circumstances that made time seem to stand still.

Thankfully, we’re moving past those dark days. The city is opening up again, the restaurants and retailers that make Georgetown worth a detour are coming back to life and masks are coming off with--to coin a phrase--warp speed. We are thrilled to see the crowded streets and all the “We’re Hiring!” signs. (Far fewer parking spaces, though, not so much.)

But just as we’re beginning to venture forth, others, it seems, have already gotten a jump on adventure. This month, we’re focusing on travel abroad and at home--from digital nomads, who traded the confines of their daily D.C. routine for more lifeaffirming work-from-anywhere destinations to tips on how to go full-on tourist in your own neighborhood and home town.

From the ancient Greeks to modern times, the authentic hero is one who faces unimaginable challenges and emerges changed or transformed for the better. Considering the past 15 months, we can all claim to be heroes of a kind.

As we transition from our shared time of troubles to what we hope is a pandemic-free future, let’s say a silent thanks to those who got us here. And a prayer for the 600,000 who perished.

Oh, and to those who’ve transitioned recently or long ago to fatherhood, Happy Father’s Day!

Are you still wearing your mask? Why or why not?

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OPINION

BY BROOKE PINTO

This past Friday marked a major milestone in our recovery with the lifting of all capacity restrictions for businesses. As restaurants fill up with hungry diners, stadiums roar with cheering crowds and residents gather to celebrate Pride, we still have a long way to go on the road to economic recovery from the pandemic.

Throughout the public health emergency, I have fought to ensure that our communities, small and local business owners, and workers have the resources they need to thrive. In the fall, the Council passed emergency legislation that I co-authored to extend our restaurant streateries program by more than one year to give business owners and hospitality workers the assurance and certainty they needed. I also introduced the “Great Streets Amendment Act” to make Ward 2 and Georgetown businesses eligible for grant funding from the Department on Small and Local Business Development as we focus on economic stimulus.

I know more support is needed, which is why last week I introduced the “Business and Entrepreneurship Support to Thrive (BEST) Amendment Act of 2021” to streamline the licensing process for new and existing businesses. Incorporating or starting a business in the District of Columbia has proven exhaustive, unnecessarily complex, and expensive, especially for those entrepreneurs without adequate financial resources. Doing business in D.C. should be accessible, efficient and cost-effective. Georgetown is a major retail and commercial corridor and hub for education and culture, and we must provide the relief needed to keep our existing businesses in operation and doors open for entrepreneurs across our city. Building on the funds I secured for the Jelleff Recreation Center feasibility study in last year’s budget, this year’s budget includes a proposed total of $28 million for a full modernization of this centerpiece of the community. I will continue to work with my colleagues to target funding for projects that will improve the overall quality of life in Georgetown. These include a Volta Park re-turf, the Canal Project and Georgetown Visitor Center, a transportation study and an EV charging station. Financing these important projects not only serves Georgetown but our entire city.

With creative strategies and community engagement, I know that we are on the path to recovery. I am grateful for the partnership of the Georgetown Business Improvement District, Georgetown Main Street, Citizens Association of Georgetown and Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E in our efforts to prioritize the needs of Georgetown and direct resources towards projects that will keep Georgetown as a thriving place for families, businesses, and visitors.

Brooke Pinto represents Ward 2, which includes Georgetown, on the Council of the District of Columbia.

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editors,

Our Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, Ms. Lisa Palmer, is concerned about possible pedestrian fatalities at the new pedestrian crossing on M St. at the intersection with Key Bridge. The problem is vehicles speeding to make left turns from M St. to Key Bridge, often against a red light.

Pedestrians -- many being tourists walking across Key Bridge from the Rosslyn Metro -- may look at the walk signal rather than oncoming vehicle traffic when they cross M Street.

Ms. Palmer has been trying to get speed cameras placed on Key Bridge with no promise of action by the District government as of yet. She is also suggesting special signage to warn pedestrians of the danger.

I don’t know whether she has suggested placement of red light cameras to reduce illegal left turns on red lights from M St. to Key Bridge.

The problem, however, is of direct concern to all stakeholders at Georgetown University.