Given that the limitation only applies to 14th and U Street, I think it’s advantageous for the residents of LeDroit and Bloomingdale who want increased retail options closer to their homes for the limitation to remain in place. Much of the eastern end of the corridor is underserved with retail, including restaurants and bars, and the limitation will encourage restaurants to the eastern end of the corridor.

Eating and drinking establishments shall occupy no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the linear foot frontage within the ARTS Overlay District, as measured along the lots fronting on 14th Street and U Street, N.W.

The restriction applies to the entire overlay, but only two streets serve as the basis of measurement. I assume this is to reduce the administrative burden on DCRA.

As the author correctly pointed out at the beginnning of the post, the restaurnat and bar limitation only applies to the street frontage 14th and U Streets. The map is accurate. It shows that only those areas with the darker red shading on map are subject to the limitation. Those with the lighter pink shading are within the zoning overlay, but are not subject to the restaurant limitation provision.

So it’s wrong to suggest at the end of the post that the limitation would somehow limit restaurants/bars/etc in front of the Howard Theater and on 9th, which do not front 14th or U. While those areas are within the overlay, they are not subject to the restaurant limitation provision. In fact, it would have just the opposite effect. If no new restaurants could open on 14th and U, and they could on 9th and T, there would be an increased likelihood of restaurants on 9th and T Streets.

I really like the blog otherwise and look forward to further discussion of this issue.

This law does not reflect present time economic realities: many types of businesses that were once commonplace are no longer viable because they have been replaced by big-box stores like Rite Aid, online shopping, and a throwaway culture driven by the low prices of many items that people no longer routinely repair (versus replace).

The rule should be changed. You can’t legislate progress (or evolution, if you don’t think this is progress) – but no law will suddenly cause shoe repair stores or whatever to open on U Street. They can’t make enough money to stay in business. If a law is keeping storefronts empty in prime areas then the law is bad and the longer it stays this way, the more it hurts residents and other businesses.