Georgetown Streetscapes

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the petiton to the Department of Public Works and the District of Columbia

Georgetown Deserves Better

The Georgetown community needs to pressure the District to start coordinating and implementing plans to solve traffic, parking, loading and pedestrian problems. Many studies have been conducted concerning our congestion and there are potential solutions to ameliorate these problems today. These issues really can be better balanced for a better overall environment now.

The streetscape can be safer, more hospitable and more attractive.

• Better quality sidewalks.
• More trees.
• Better lighting.
• Coordinated signage, newsstands, parking meters, trashcans, etc.
• More organization of elements for a consistent appearance.
• Wider sidewalks in heavy pedestrian areas along M Street.

Traffic can be rerouted, reengineered and reorganized.

• Better utilization of the Whitehurst Freeway to reroute new traffic
• Continuation of the Georgetown Shuttle to foster use of public transportation and regain parking spaces.
• Better island configurations at entry points to Georgetown for better flow patterns.
• Better sequencing of traffic lights through recalibration of lights.
• More one-way streets and left-turn signals to minimize multiple opposing turns and regain parking spaces.

Parking can be more plentiful and more easily accessible.

• Better utilization of K Street office building garages on evenings and weekends.
• New parking lots such as the EastBanc lot under construction on Bank Street and other parking areas being discussed for beneath the Hyde School playground.
• Valet parking.
• Better parking signage.
• Radio frequency transmissions of parking availability.

Loading can occur closer to delivery points without double parking.

• More loading zones.
• Shorter-term meter parking.
• Special hours for loading.

There is a better Georgetown possible with better traffic, parking, loading and sidewalks if we stop complaining and start doing. If other communities can succeed in upgrading their environments, so can we!