18th St NW Pedestrian Zone Survey: August 2022

18TH STrEET NW pedestrian zone survey: phase I ORGANIZED BY PETER WOOD ANC 1C03 AUGUST 2022

18TH ST NW PEDESTRIAN ZONE SURVEY: PHASE I ORGANIZED BY PETER WOOD ANC 1C03

survey goals Hello and thank you for your interest in learning more about public opinions on the 18th Street NW pedestrian zone pilot program! This survey was created and conducted entirely by me, Commissioner Peter Wood from ANC 1C03 in Adams Morgan.

The purpose of this survey is simple: to test whether opposition to an 18th Street NW pedestrian zone is overrepresented in neighborhood discussions. Additionally, I wanted to better understand why people have the concerns they do, and figure out which ones can be resolved. Rather than simply trust my instinct, I've decided to put my research experience to good use and collect a slightly more formal dataset than sporadic emails and conversations on the street (though I genuinely love those as well!).

On Sunday, August 21, 2022, 18th Street NW will be temporarily redesignated as a pedestrian-only zone from Kalorama Road to Columbia Road. As Commissioner, I've noticed a lot of people are excited about this project, myself included. And those who are more skeptical seemed to be mostly concerned with how this might affect traffic on side streets like Belmont, Kalorama, and the nearby alleys.

Following the three pilot days currently planned for 2022 (August 21, September 4, and October 23), I hope to conduct a follow-up survey gathering more feedback on how the pilot went. But until then, please enjoy this report showing what expectations residents hold as many stakeholders continue working to make this pedestrian zone a reality. Thank you!

18TH ST NW PEDESTRIAN ZONE SURVEY: PHASE I CONDUCTED BY PETER WOOD ANC 1C03

background Converting Adams Morgan's stretch of 18th Street into a pedestrian zone is not exactly a new idea. But its journey has been hectic and, frankly, kind of confusing.

Not only is a pedestrian-oriented 18th Street a familiar proposal, it has been lived experience for many years. Through Adams Morgan Day, celebrated since 1977, residents and visitors have had years of practice utilizing 18th Street as a no-car zone for one day a year. And those closures were more expansive than what is in place for the 2022 pilot, extending from Florida Avenue to Columbia Road.

More recently, there have been three stand-out moments for getting an 18th Street pedestrian zone implemented: in 2017. when local stakeholders began receiving attention for their efforts; in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic prompted DC government to permit a weekend-long trial; and now in 2022, when three, 10-hour trial periods will take place.

18TH ST NW PEDESTRIAN ZONE SURVEY: PHASE I CONDUCTED BY PETER WOOD ANC 1C03

how this survey was made Before getting into the results, I want to show a little bit of how I created this survey. This isn't a detailed academic project, so everything was kept fairly simple and straightforward.

But the timing certainly hasn't been ideal—despite months of careful planning, the details for this pilot program weren't made known outside of the Mayor's office until August 8, less than two weeks before the first scheduled street opening.

Nonetheless, we can break it down into three mains parts: 1) Decide what questions to ask 2) Recruit participants 3) Evaluate the data To generate a sample of questions, I reviewed notes from past meetings I've attended or been briefed on (mainly gatherings of ANC 1C, the Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District, and the Adams Morgan Commercial Development Coalition), conversations I've had with constituents and DC residents, as well as information from relevant DC agencies (DDOT, DC Health, Office of the Mayor). Using this base of knowledge, I narrowed down a small number of themes I felt were commonly discussed. I also included questions about place of residence to better differentiate how opinions within Adams Morgan compare with the rest of DC and elsewhere.

For participant recruitment, I distributed a link to this survey's Google Form via groups.io ("the Adams Morgan listserv"), Nextdoor, Twitter, and Instagram. I also emailed this link to the individuals who subscribe to ANC 1C03 monthly updates, and sent the link via text message to additional neighbors. Lastly, staff from Jubilee Housing kindly translated this survey and distributed hard copies in both English and Spanish to residents in their Adams Morgan properties.

The data evaluation stage was simple: I calculated the percentage of participants that chose each response per question. I additionally read through answers where a predetermined response wasn't provided ("open-ended" responses) and included a sampling that's more or less representative of the larger survey respondent population.

18TH ST NW PEDESTRIAN ZONE SURVEY: PHASE I CONDUCTED BY PETER WOOD ANC 1C03

results Let's finally get to the point: these survey results suggest that there is an incredibly large amount of support for an 18th Street pedestrian zone. And most concern is focused on managing side street traffic, bus routes, and parking. Important issues that can definitely be addressed!

Overall, 320 people sent a survey submission, 262 (81.9%) of whom said they live in Adams Morgan. Over 82% of respondents said they are in favor of a pedestrian zone. And another 9% said they would be in favor if some modifications were made. Added together, that means 91% of all respondents said they support making 18th pedestrian-oriented or are open to the idea.

Here are some charts to help add some context to these findings:

Do you support the closing of 18th Street NW to vehicular traffic?

Yes! But make it permanent (50.7%) Yes! Once a month on the weekend is best (9.7%) Yes! But once a month is too infrequent, and permanent is too much (22.3%) No, but I'm open to changing my mind if the details were adjusted (9.1%) No, and I will not change my mind (8.2%) The results were very similar when limited to only Adams Morgan residents: Yes! But make it permanent (46.6%) Yes! Once a month on the weekend is best (9.9%) Yes! But once a month is too infrequent, and permanent is too much (23.7%) No, but I'm open to changing my mind if the details were adjusted (10.3%) No, and I will not change my mind (9.5%)

18TH ST NW PEDESTRIAN ZONE SURVEY: PHASE I CONDUCTED BY PETER WOOD ANC 1C03

Do you support closing 18th Street nw to vehicular traffic between kalorama road and columbia road?

Yes! That's the perfect distance (48.3%) Sure, but that's not enough blocks; make it bigger (33.3%) No, that's too many blocks; make it smaller (5.4%) No, I am opposed to any closure (13%)

Between what hours should 18th street be closed to cars?

Other suggested hours Begin later (anywhere from 3pm to 9pm) End earlier (9pm) End later (anywhere from 2am to 5am) Allow only deliveries/trash pickup during early morning (5 or 6am-8am) Friday evening until Sunday night 12pm (noon) to 10pm (15.4%) 24/7 (36.7%)

10am to midnight (19.9%)

N/A (I oppose this project) (12.5%)

Other (15.5%)

18TH ST NW PEDESTRIAN ZONE SURVEY: PHASE I CONDUCTED BY PETER WOOD ANC 1C03

If you support closing 18th Street to cars, why are you supportive? (choose all that apply)

Select "other" replies

Total number of responses

Environmental benefits from reduced car traffic Promotes non-automobile transportation methods Emotional benefits due to increased walking space Increased outdoor restaurant seating It improves pedestrian safety

It will increase revenue for local businesses

It sends a symbolic It promotes community building message on how cities should function

Other

May raise value of nearby residential properties

If you oppose closing 18th Street to cars, why are you opposed? (choose all that apply)

Makes it difficult to access parking garage near Adams Station

er

Reduced carry-out orders for restaurants

th

Increased double parking and alley/driveway blockage

O

Negative impact on crime, trash, rat population

Il It iv d be e o fa ispr n co a vo o ng sid rs po bu rti es e te str sin on d e es ate e in ta se ly fro n s nt d w I fro wo of o m uld m rry y an b re traf ot e d sid fic he ri en w ab r a vin ce ill le re g t to a a o fin nd Ad Iw d w a pa or ms o M ul r ki ry I Mo or d ng w rg ga be on an n 't vi com be a de ca mu la r a tin y m nd g t Iw y co wor hro M ou or ld m ry ug m th h ga be ut is A n e vi com w dam a ou de bu mu ld s la s an ting y m d t y Id co wo hro o rry ug m no m h th ut this A e a ju w dam v ou s st e op an ld po y s se pe d cif to ic th rea is id son ea s, Ia m

Could impede bus routes and emergency vehicle access

Total number of responses

Select "other" replies

18TH ST NW PEDESTRIAN ZONE SURVEY: PHASE I CONDUCTED BY PETER WOOD ANC 1C03

Other comments Here is a sample of other comments that were included in survey submissions. In the spirit of fair representation, I have shown a mix of comments reflecting various perspectives.

"Hugely in favor. We can look to Boulder's Pearl St, Burlington's Church St, Denver's 16th St Mall, and others as a model."

"I'm an avid driver but don't think we need cars in this area."

"Let's hope this doesn't turn into a festival for street crime, as YOU know it will attract the 'wrong kind' as well."

"The current plan would turn [Belmont Road] back to 2-way traffic and would return the late night honking and angry fights when two drivers don't feel comfortable passing each other."

"I am a carless individual with a disability who relies on the bus to get around DC. Although I strongly support this pilot project, this support is conditioned on my expectation that the 90 and 96 buses will have a reasonable detour around the 18th Street closure."

"Expand it. I will spend more money in Adams Morgan if the streets are safer. Want my money? Reach higher on this pilot."

"Yes, European cities (and many American cities) have pedestrian zones, but they also have much better and more available public transit."

"I think it is a great start—I just wish it was bolder. Look at how enjoyable the Wharf area is because there are no cars."

"I am encouraged to see the Mayor's office doing something to promote open streets, but...I need the Mayor's office to actually commit to trying this out, not doing half-measures every two years."

"Restricting vehicular movement on the city's streets is anathema to good urban planning and design. We are a city; not a suburb."

18TH ST NW PEDESTRIAN ZONE SURVEY: PHASE I CONDUCTED BY PETER WOOD ANC 1C03

Other comments "Would love to make it pedestrian only every weekend as a standard practice. Consistency makes it a route thing for everyone to accommodate."

"The idea that people should be able to drive a car to a bar district and park it right in front of the bar is insane!"

"The city's preference toward business, chiefly restaurants and bars, over quality of life of residents is very revealing."

"Unsafe driving and pedestrian fatalities associated with them are up everywhere in the nation since lockdown restrictions have ended. We need more car free zones."

"More pedestrian zones! More open streets!"

"Street parking in this neighborhood is already incredibly difficult. I'm not sure that this project will impact it, but...plans to mitigate or address would be really helpful!"

"Let's be bold and try something new."

"Make Kalorama Road permanently one-way."

"It's a fantastic idea, when it was done before it created a festive and lively atmosphere of community.

Now, if we could just get SunTrust Plaza redeveloped, that would provide a wonderful anchor for the street."

"The street closure with more pedestrians raises the area as a target for panhandling, grifting, and theft."

"Streets are for people <3" "Parking considerations have trumped all other land use issues in this neighborhood for the 20 years I have lived here. The deference given a small number of cranks who loudly object to anything that would increase competition for their free residential parking or remove even a single free parking space is simply insane. Never have so few imposed such a high cost on so many."

"More pedestrian zones! More open streets!"

18TH ST NW PEDESTRIAN ZONE SURVEY: PHASE I CONDUCTED BY PETER WOOD ANC 1C03

What's next?

The (half) million dollar question remains: what happens now? This survey was conducted for informational purposes only, to ensure ANC 1C03 constituents and others who spend time in Adams Morgan have their desires and concerns thoroughly understood.

As of the time of this publication (August 19, 2022), there are three planned trial days for an 18th St NW pedestrian zone: Sunday, August 21; Sunday, September 4; and Sunday, October 23. On those days, from noon until 10pm, 18th St NW will be closed to vehicles between Kalorama Rd and Columbia Rd. The Mayor's office has granted the Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District permission to manage operations these three days, alongside DC government. This is because that organization received a $525,000 grant from the Streets for People and has spent many months working to create and sustain a vibrant pedestrian zone.

It isn't entirely clear if a pedestrian zone will continue to exist in Adams Morgan following this pilot program. And if it does, the details are still up in the air. As ANC 1C03 commissioner, I am committed to making sure residents are heard and their views understood, whether positive or negative. For that, I thank all of you who have reached out to share your thoughts with me.

Following the October 23, 2022 event, I will distribute a similar survey to gauge how people feel. Did the pilot go well? What concerns were addressed? Where is further action needed? Until then, I hope to see you as we enjoy a few Sundays of pedestrian-centered public space!