D.C. Council’s Vote on the Streatery Emergency Act Is Tomorrow
By • December 1, 2025 0 830
The Georgetowner received this letter from the Citizens Association of Georgetown President Amy Titus over the Thanksgiving holiday. In an opinion piece about streateries in our November print issue and online, we asked readers to weigh in on their thoughts on the issue. Some comments we received are below the letter. More will be printed in our December 10 issue out next week.
Dear Neighbors,
We hope you enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday. I want to make you aware of this time-sensitive issue that matters to Georgetown residents. While many people were traveling and spending time with their loved ones, DC City Councilmembers announced the introduction of the Streatery Program Emergency Amendment Act of 2025, which is not publicly available on the DC Council website at this time, on Wednesday, November 26 to make immediate changes to the cost and design restrictions to the Streateries rules. Click here to view the draft version provided to us in an email. The City Council will vote on this legislation on Tuesday, December 2.
In summary, the “emergency” legislation lowers the price per square foot to $15 from DDOT’s proposed $20 per square foot for Streateries. This legislation grants the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) Public Space Committee, who approves the Streatery applications, greater discretion to grant exemptions to businesses related to placement and enclosures. This legislation is the result of lobbying efforts by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington.
The Citizens Association of Georgetown’s (CAG) position remains the same on this issue. Click here to read our position in The Georgetowner. We are concerned that CAG and other community stakeholders, such as the ANC 2E, expressed concerns have not been considered.
To make your voice heard on this issue, please reach out to the DC City Councilmembers.
Respectfully,
Amy Titus
CAG President
DC City Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, pmendelson@dccouncil.gov, 202-724-8032
Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau, bnadeau@dccouncil.gov, 202-724-8181
Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto, bpinto@dccouncil.gov, 202-724-8058
Ward 3 Councilmember Matthew Frumin, mfrumin@dccouncil.gov, 202-724-8062
Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, jlewisgeorge@dccouncil.gov, 202-724-8052
Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker, zparker@dccouncil.gov, 202-724-8028
Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen, callen@dccouncil.gov, 202-724-8072
Ward 7 Councilmember Wendell Felder, wfelder@dccouncil.gov, 202-724-8068
Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White, Sr., twhite@dccouncil.gov, 202-724-8045
At-Large Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie, kmcduffie@dccouncil.gov, 202-724-7772
At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds, abonds@dccouncil.gov, 202-724-8064
At-Large Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr., rwhite@dccouncil.gov, 202-724-8174
At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson, chenderson@dccouncil.gov, 202-724-8105
Comments from local residents on our story:
- Georgetown’s streets and sidewalks are too narrow for streateries, scooters and bikes, bike lanes, bus stops (not to mention pedestrians and parking). The parking pressure on residential side streets is at an all time high. It’s time to put an end to the Georgetown BID’s and DDOT’s magical thinking that all can fit safely AND not sacrifice historic and visual integrity. Public space belongs to everyone — not just restaurants. The architecture, views, and public spaces that make Georgetown unique must be protected. Let’s protect Georgetown’s safety, accessibility, and historic charm with common-sense planning, not cluttered streetscapes. It’s time to pull them up and go back to the drawing board before any “forever” permits are issued. – Stefanie Elizabeth Scott
- I am a designer that lives in Georgetown and there are many of us please get us altogether who live in Georgetown and let us be on a committee that has input on design we are here and we would do it for free. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. I have never seen anything more unattractive than the peeling paint cement blocks that you use for design maybe in a third world country, they are rat infested, ugly and you have created a land grab. Stop the insanity. – Michele Evans
- They really need to expand the streateries and make them permanent. Do we really want narrower sidewalks and more cars in Georgetown? I can’t understand the opposition. – John Farr
