DDOT is working with community organizations, residents and the relevant District agencies to create additional parking near congregations, as follows:
--Conduct a detailed review, in coordination with affected Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs) and neighborhood groups, of the existing parking supply and demand balance, identified by user groups. Based on this review, DDOT will pursue changes to parking and traffic regulations to meet these parking demands.
--Provide blanket public space permits for as long as a year for Sunday parking and for other agreed-upon church events. This revocable and renewable permit could allow back-in parking, double-parking and other additional spaces and would be in addition to the parking/traffic regulatory changes. The new spaces would not block fire lanes or create other safety hazards. This site-type of scheme has been successfully implemented on Capitol Hill around RFK for the baseball season.
--Encourage discussions with private parking operators or other parking facilities to open up more spaces for church attendees.
--Examine transit options, including shuttle service from large parking lots, such as the the Old Convention Center site and the RFK lots, by Metrobus, the DC Circulator and private vans.
--Provide valet service to move vehicles blocking other vehicles.
Sunday Double-Parking Enforcement
District agencies propose the following steps to enforce and thereby reduce church-related double-parking:
--For three weeks before enforcement starts, projected to be around April 23, DDOT will work with DPW and the Mayor’s Religious Affairs Office to distribute warning leaflets/brochures as was done last year in Capitol Hill neighborhoods at the start of the baseball season.
--After the warning period, parking enforcement will increase around places of worship.
--Similar steps will be taken to expand parking and step up enforcement in other neighborhoods where parking is tight because of religious events.
Please direct your comments to Ann Simpson-Mason, DDOT Policy and Planning Administration, (202) 671- 2740 or by email.
