Support DDOT Parking Changes
DDOT recently announced its proposed changes to the curbside parking management in the Cleveland Park commercial area. It is positive in many ways and falls short in others. They are asking for public feedback (more below).
Here's the link to DDOT's Notice of Intent that fully explains what they are planning to do, with illustrations.
The biggest change is reducing the 2-hr max meter times for spaces on ther 3300-3400 blocks of Connecticut Ave, between Macomb and Ordway Streets, to 30 minutes to promote quick turnover of spots. Over a comparable 2 hour period, that increases the parking opportunities by 300%. For the 35 spaces where this will take effect, instead of 35 cars parked for 2 hours, you can get 105 cars at max parking time parked over the same 2 hours.
Two Hour Parking would remain in the 3500 block of Connecticut and on the 17 metered spaces on Porter Street east of Connecticut Ave. Parking is also available on the side streets in Residential Parking zoned areas, unlimited for Ward 3 RPP stickers, and limited for two hours for all others. With more frequent turnover of spots on the Avenue due to the proposed changes, there should be more availability of longer term parking in the RPP zones.
One Hour Validated Parking is available in the Park & Shop lot for any purchase at Target. You can buy a pack of Airheads candy for $1.29 and get an hour parking free! By comparison, an hour at the meter on Connecticut Ave costs $2.75. And the Park & Shop lot ALWAYS has spaces!
Other changes:
Adding 30-minute metered spots on either side of the library on Macomb and Newark Streets
Adding 30-minute metered spots on the 2700 block of Ordway between CT Av and the alley
Expanding the available space for commercial loading on CT Av, which has been the primary complaint of the grocery stores, by an additional 71 feet.
Why are these changes needed?
Back in 2013 when DDOT commissioned a detailed parking study of the area it found that parking spots on Connecticut Ave were very difficult to come by. The main reason was that cars parked and stayed for long periods. According to the report (Cleveland Park Transportation Study, Final Report, December 2013):
“Low turnover rates and high occupancy limit the number of visitors who are able to find parking and the number of retail patrons who can visit by car.” p19
“Parking spaces along the corridor experience high occupancy (77%-100%) and low turnover during the week, with nearly 100% weekend parking occupancy (Saturday 11:00 AM-2:00 PM). For non-residents visiting the neighborhood there is limited parking off Connecticut Avenue. Average weekday evening and weekend parking turnover on Connecticut Avenue is about 100 minutes.” p27
“Issues: Parking in the study area is almost fully occupied during the peak weekend parking hours, and turnover is very low, limiting the number of visitors to retail establishments who are able to park.” p35
“Opportunities: Managing the maximum parking times could significantly improve parking turnover.” p35
These parking changes are ten years overdue!
This data is supported by the needs we hear from businesses:
Our grocers have said their main concern is adequate loading for their delivery trucks
Our dry cleaners want the quick turnover of spots to ensure a near-by space for customers to carry their laundry. Same applies for the vacuum store.
Our restaurants say they need quick turn over spots to accommodate the significant increase in delivery services.
Furthermore, as a community, we should not be encouraging driving to restaurants and bars, where a substantial share of the revenue comes from alcohol.
What's missing?
Handicapped spots! There should be at least one handicapped restricted parking spot on Connecticut Ave, and ideally one on either side of the Avenue. The single handicapped spot currently available is on Macomb St by the library.
There could also be opportunity for metered parking on the 2700 block of Macomb St, just off Connecticut Ave.
DDOT is asking for comments, and there is a form on this webpage to make it easy to do just that. Comments are due October 20th. Take a moment to make a comment now!.
My comment: "Great plan! Appreciate the shorter turnover periods for metered parking, the use of side streets for metered parking, and more room for commercial loading. Consider adding a handicapped parking space on either side of Connecticut Ave and add a few metered parking spots on the 2700 block of Macomb St just off Connecticut Ave."
Additional perspective on the impact of drivers on the Cleveland Park businesses.
In October of 2018, the Economic Vitality Committee of the Cleveland Park Business Association conducted a market survey of 973 area residents. The data provides insights into both consumer behavoir and preferences.
The business strip has seen many changes since then: gain and loss of businesses, COVID and the rise of delivery services, increase of work from home, and the repurposing of public space. It is probably time to refresh this data.
The following slides focus on a few of the behavior data points: where people shop with frequency and how they mostly arrive at the shopping area. The data is useful to give perspective on how transportation choices impact business revenue.
Walking is the predominant mode of transportation getting consumers to the Cleveland Park Businesses
This next slide show the share of the sample that uses each business “frequently” among those that mostly walk and those that mostly drive. Because walking is so common, the data makes it clear that pedestrians are by far the dominant source of business revenue.
The next chart shows the data as shares of those who mostly walk and shares of those who mostly drive who are using each business “frequently.” With few exceptions, pedestrians are more frequent shoppers at more businesses than those who mostly drive.
Who benefits from 30-minute parking and the frequent turnover of parking spots it delivers? Food pick-up and delivery drivers, pharmacy visits, daily grocery trips, book return and pick up, dry cleaners, liquor store, post office. These are the most used businesses.
