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The Block is Hot: New DC Bill Would Allow Pre-Approval of Street Closures for Play

  • January 10th 2018

by Nena Perry-Brown

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The Block is Hot: New DC Bill Would Allow Pre-Approval of Street Closures for Play: Figure 1
Parker Street in Northeast DC

New legislation recently proposed in DC might mean more blocks closed off for street sports and general playtime. 

DC Councilmember Charles Allen introduced a bill yesterday that would expedite permitting for street closures that would allow children to play freely.

The Go Play Amendment Act of 2018 would expedite the permitting process for "street play" by offering two options: the typical application process while requiring that the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) respond within four business days, or an application to "pre-authorize" a block. The four-day approval period would enable residents to take advantage of good weather more readily.

A pre-authorization would require that all residents of the block approve the plan as well as DDOT. Once approved, up to three residents would be able to close the block off for street play during any weekend, holiday, or day that DC public schools are closed, as long as signs are posted 48 hours in advance and DDOT is notified and has no objections.

Similar street play programs were recently implemented in Seattle and Toronto, although the four day sign-off is unique to DC's bill.

See other articles related to: dc council

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/the-block-is-hot-new-bill-would-allow-pre-approval-of-streets-for-playing/13434.

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