Monday, July 7, 2025
The Georgetowner received this letter, along with an op-ed published June 30 in The Washington Post. The op-ed is by Elizabeth Miller and Stefanie Scott of the Georgetown Coalition for Public Spaces. Please read more on this important issue below.
Attached please find an op-ed that appeared in the Washington Post this morning entitled “Trump Wants to Beautify DC, Start Here.
The subtitle reads: “Georgetown’s historic streets are littered with old plastic sidewalk extenders. It needs a permanent fix.”
Gift link here: https://wapo.st/3IoqmdK
As you well know, during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the Georgetown Business Improvement District’s (BID) Widened Sidewalk and Streatery Pilot Project built temporary widened sidewalks and “streateries” to respond to the need for social distancing. The community was supportive and wanted to be as creative and helpful as possible in addressing the needs of our commercial district.
Yet, five years later these social-distancing protections remain littered along our historic streets. The jury-rigged plastic decking structures are crumbling, becoming not only unsightly but, also dangerous. Driving into Georgetown resembles navigating an I-95 construction zone, with jersey barriers lining Wisconsin Avenue and M Street. The appearance isn’t beautiful nor clean, nor safe.
The time has come for the city to either fully fund a permanent fix for this project or pull it up.
In its current state the project is opposed by: The DC Police Union, The Citizens Association of Georgetown, and many Georgetown retail businesses.
1372 Georgetowners have signed a petition requesting the BID “improve Georgetown streateries and restore Georgetown’s charm.”
Making this permanent will require a significant investment. If the City isn’t willing to fund this project in a way which allows it to fit in with the historic charm of commercial Georgetown, then it should be pulled up and made permanent when the funds are available to do it the right way. The permanent sidewalk extending/streatery vision should be a community-endorsed plan.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Miller
Stefanie Scott
Georgetown Coalition for Public Spaces