Council Gives Unanimous Approval to Tommy Wells’ Ballpark Parking Management Plan

Yesterday, with less than one month before Opening Day of baseball, the Council of the District of Columbia gave unanimous approval to Councilmember Wells’ emergency legislation that creates a new tool for managing curbside parking around the Nationals ballpark and impact area – including areas of Southwest DC and parts of Capitol Hill. The legislation was introduced by Councilmembers Tommy Wells and Jim Graham, Chair of the Committee on Public Works and the Environment.

Councilmember Wells stated, “I am very pleased that my colleagues supported this strategy to protect Ward 6 resident parking and help small businesses from the crush of ballpark visitors we’re about to experience.”

The bill incorporates many suggestions and comments from ANC Commissioners, residents and businesses collected at over a dozen community meetings held on the initial proposal. The legislation creates a two-year pilot zone around the new Nationals’ ballpark and throughout the residential neighborhoods that surround the stadium and the retail businesses near it. The pilot authorizes the Department of Transportation to work with the Ward 6 community to use performance pricing of curbside parking spots to better manage when, where, and how long vehicles can park. It also gives the city flexibility to modify parking strategies quickly and in response to what is working and what is not, creating a process for regular feedback from community members throughout the life of the pilot.

“The clock is ticking and the first pitch is right around the corner,” commented Mr. Wells. “I want to make sure there’s a good fan experience coming to the ballpark – take Metro and enjoy dinner and a drink at our great restaurants – but ultimately, our residents and businesses deserve the right tools to deal with the parking and traffic congestion that comes with the success of vibrant retail streets and a new ballpark. We don’t need to wait for the parking pressures we see in Georgetown or Adams Morgan before taking action.”

Performance pricing used as a parking management tool will mean decreasing the time spent in hunting for parking, reducing the need for double parking, prioritizing residents in the residential streets, and ensuring reliable parking options for patrons on the retail streets.  As with any other commodity, under-priced or free parking inflates demand leading to shortages and congestion.  By setting parking rates based on demand, drivers may pay a little to park, but they will be assured a spot when they arrive at their destination. 

“For Ward 6 residents, their Zone 6 parking sticker means they’ll see little difference in how they park their cars, but with better management, they should find that visitors stick to the retail streets and the residents become the priority for residential streets,” stated Mr. Wells.