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Sidewalk Cafes Enliven Downtown Streets - 2010 Downtown DC BID
August 30, 2010
Release Date: Thursday, August 5th 2010
Benefits Enhance the Urban Experience, Promote Use of Public Space
WASHINGTON, DC - Sidewalk cafes are “a true indicator of street life and a clear measure that Downtown is becoming a place where people can have remarkable urban experiences,” according to Richard H. Bradley, executive director of the Downtown DC Business Improvement District (BID).
Thirteen years ago, there were very few sidewalk cafes in Downtown DC; this summer, the Downtown BID’s second Annual Inventory of Sidewalk Cafes shows there are 123, with a total of approximately 3,225 seats. This is up from 95 cafes and approximately 2,665 seats a year ago—a 29.5% increase. The Downtown BID and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) have encouraged the increase in the number of outdoor cafes and supported their use.
The Office of Planning’s (OP) 2000 Downtown Action Agenda identified outdoor dining as an element that can enhance Downtown as a physical place. It proposed establishing a task force to develop a comprehensive plan and simplify the procedures for public improvements in Downtown DC. Through its participation in various city task forces, the Downtown BID has actively promoted sidewalk cafes as a high priority amenity.
Also, as part of its placemaking initiative, the Downtown BID has made its staff available to advise restaurants on how to best obtain sidewalk café permits through DDOT’s Public Space Permit office and occasionally assist with some details of the application process. Among those who have received assistance:
Lawson’s Gourmet. “We hired lawyers and an architect to have plans drawn up for an outdoor cafe, but we were denied a permit for years and years,” said Shannon Creighton, Lawson’s manager. “The Downtown BID was a tremendous help. With their assistance, we were able to present colorful drawings showing where the tables would be set up and where the manholes and grates were located. We gained valuable knowledge about things that were unknown to us before.” Read the Full Story
Benefits Enhance the Urban Experience, Promote Use of Public Space
WASHINGTON, DC - Sidewalk cafes are “a true indicator of street life and a clear measure that Downtown is becoming a place where people can have remarkable urban experiences,” according to Richard H. Bradley, executive director of the Downtown DC Business Improvement District (BID).
Thirteen years ago, there were very few sidewalk cafes in Downtown DC; this summer, the Downtown BID’s second Annual Inventory of Sidewalk Cafes shows there are 123, with a total of approximately 3,225 seats. This is up from 95 cafes and approximately 2,665 seats a year ago—a 29.5% increase. The Downtown BID and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) have encouraged the increase in the number of outdoor cafes and supported their use.
The Office of Planning’s (OP) 2000 Downtown Action Agenda identified outdoor dining as an element that can enhance Downtown as a physical place. It proposed establishing a task force to develop a comprehensive plan and simplify the procedures for public improvements in Downtown DC. Through its participation in various city task forces, the Downtown BID has actively promoted sidewalk cafes as a high priority amenity.
Also, as part of its placemaking initiative, the Downtown BID has made its staff available to advise restaurants on how to best obtain sidewalk café permits through DDOT’s Public Space Permit office and occasionally assist with some details of the application process. Among those who have received assistance:
Lawson’s Gourmet. “We hired lawyers and an architect to have plans drawn up for an outdoor cafe, but we were denied a permit for years and years,” said Shannon Creighton, Lawson’s manager. “The Downtown BID was a tremendous help. With their assistance, we were able to present colorful drawings showing where the tables would be set up and where the manholes and grates were located. We gained valuable knowledge about things that were unknown to us before.” Read the Full Story
