Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant are two of the vibrant neighborhoods that make up our ward, and the public spaces here are an asset for both residents and visitors alike. A refresh to the sidewalks, plazas, parks, and other public spaces can foster economic growth and support local businesses – that is why I funded a much-needed series of studies in the FY24 budget to understand how public space can better serve our community. 

With funds I secured, the Office of Planning conducted a “public life study” that included data-driven analysis and inclusive community engagement with the ultimate goal of improving the quality and use of public spaces in Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant. 

Data collection took place in a variety of ways. Community “walkshops” – walking focus groups – allowed residents to discuss the use of community spaces and design in the neighborhood. Office of Planning staff and residents observed the community in real time. Vendors and consumers participating in the street vending zone participated in focus groups.  

The study found that while these neighborhoods are highly dense and attract a lot of foot traffic, most people are merely passing through rather than using the community spaces, so the study is exploring improvements such as weekend street closures, more street trees and seating, pocket parks, and more. 

This was particularly true in Columbia Heights, with some parks in Mount Pleasant seeing higher rates of people spending time to enjoy them. Residents cited poor street design and large volumes of vehicle traffic as the main deterrents, as well as lack of shade and seating. 

Residents also raised sidewalk congestion and absence of pedestrian-friendly pathways as barriers to the use of public space. 

For vendors, infrastructure to support the vending zone was said to be subpar: this includes infrastructure like storage for wares and trashcans, as well as seating for customers. The newly hired vending zone manager, funded through my bill the Street Vendor Advancement Amendment Act of 2023, is working to manage the space. This includes developing a vending site plan and a code of conduct for vendors, assigning specific vending spots, daily monitoring and management of vending activity, and addressing any challenges that vendors or consumers experience.  

The preliminary findings will be further developed into a final set of recommendations in the next several months.  

I hope to work with the Office of Planning once the final recommendations are announced to find ways to implement improvements that will make our neighborhoods accessible, safe, and welcoming to everyone.