Moratorium on Single Sales of Alcohol on H Street, NE to Take Effect October 1, 2007

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC Board) published final rules today in the DC Register to implement the proposed H Street, NE moratorium on single sales of alcohol. The Council gave approval to the measure at their July 10th meeting and the Board’s action today represents the final official action needed to set an effective date for the moratorium – October 1, 2007.

“I am thrilled to see the rules published in today’s Register. It marks the last official hurdle the community has to clear to have the proposed moratorium on single sales go in effect,” remarked Councilmember Tommy Wells, who has championed the moratorium from his position on Council.

In February 2007, citing chronic problems with peace, order and quiet, specifically with respect to litter, loitering, public drunkenness, public urination and criminal activity persistent on H Street, NE, the ABC Board proposed a 3-year moratorium on the sale of single containers of beer and liquor sold in half-pint volume from the 700 to 1400 block of H Street, NE.

“A moratorium will go a long way to address some of the chaos and crime afflicting H Street, NE,” commented Mr. Wells. “On top of that, the neighborhood is tired of people using the streets, alleys and treeboxes as public urinals and trashcans. To realize the promise of H Street, this is a necessary step to bring back order and stability and make it a thriving asset for the neighborhood.”

ANC 6A first asked the ABC Board to issue a ban on singles sales in September 2006 after years of trying to work one-on-one with liquor store owners and with voluntary agreements. After a public hearing with neighborhood residents in support of the ban, in addition to hearing support from Mayor Adrian Fenty, Councilmember Tommy Wells, the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the ABC Board cited concerns about peace, order and pedestrian safety, and a negative impact on economic development, as additional reasons to impose the moratorium.

The Committee on Public Works and the Environment, chaired by Councilmember Jim Graham, held an additional public roundtable on June 28th to get further public input. ANC Commissioners from 6A, 6C and 5B all testified in support of the moratorium, as well as many residents who live along the H Street, NE corridor.

“For too long, we’ve had individuals using our curbsides and sidewalks as open-air bars. We’ve seen the effect a singles ban can have in other neighborhoods. I’m proud to support the ANC and residents to put the moratorium in effect and begin calming the chaos on H Street, NE,” added Mr. Wells.