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BID Programs > Public Space Improvements > Vending & Public Space Demo Program

Vending & Public Space Demonstration Program

Background: Street vending has long been a challenge in Washington DC, but it is also an opportunity. Done right, street vending ought to add just as much value to Washington DC as the vendors do at properties such as Harborplace in Baltimore, Faneuil Hall in Boston, or the Pier at Santa Monica.

Deputy Mayor's Steering Committee: In 2003, the Deputy Mayor convened a Steering Committee, composed of government officials, vendor representatives, civic and nonprofit organizations, and the BID's. The Steering Committee agreed that a demonstration program was the best way to prove this concept could work in Washington. In addition, the Steering Committee:

• Acknowledged need for comprehensive block by block plan for vending and other uses of public space, such as outdoor cafes, and street furniture;
• Emphasized high quality design for public space including the development of new vending equipment and vending concepts;
• Recognized the limits of a regulatory approach, and agreed that the concept of day-to-day management of vending and public space should be tested in a demonstration area.

The RFP: The Steering Committee's discussion occurred within the context of the "Omnibus Regulatory Reform Enhancement Act of 1998" (OMNI II), which required the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) to issue an RFP for a study to determine the number of vending sites, assign vending locations, develop design standards, and establish fees. Under the law, until this study is done, a moratorium must stay in place on the issuance of new vending licenses.

During the summer of 2004, DCRA issued the RFP called for under OMNI II, and on September 7, 2004 the Public Space Planning and Management Corporation (PSPMC) was selected to develop a demonstration program for street vending in a 35-block area of the downtown DC.

The Public Space Planning and Management Corporation is a nonprofit organization governed by a broad-based board of directors, including vendor representatives. It is funded through its contract with the city and with additional support from the Downtown BID, the Washington Architectural Foundation and other partners. Its goal is to improve the quality and variety of street vending in Downtown.

Staff: Matt Hussmann, currently the Public Space Manager for the Downtown BID, is the Executive Director of the PSPMC.

During the past year, Hussmann has worked with leaders in the vending community to assess the level of support for new vending concepts including:

• Assigned sites under a comprehensive plan;
• Payment of fair public space rent;
• Clearly written design and operating standards;
• A clear and fair dispute resolution process.

Hussmann has also worked with the Washington Architectural Foundation to explore ideas to develop new, high quality designs, and with the National Capitol Planning Commission to establish a comprehensive Geographical Information System to help designate locations for vending, outdoor restaurants, and other appropriate uses of public space. Download a brochure with answers to frequently asked questions about the vending demonstration program (PDF, 400 KB).

Demonstration Program Rollout: The demonstration program will be rolled out in two phases. Phase One will focus on improvements to existing licensed vendors, and phase two will focus on new vending designs and new vending business concepts. The findings of the demonstration program are expected expected to guide city leaders as they develop a comprehensive, city-wide plan to manage vending.

Evaluation: The program will be evaluated on an ongoing basis, including surveys and meetings with key stakeholders. The evaluations will focus on the physical improvements and on the effectiveness of the managed approach.

Design and Planning: Did the changes foster an improvement in the appearance of the streetscape? Did they add order and reduce clutter? Did they make the streetscape more inviting? Did they make it safer? Did the new equipment work well? Was it functional and durable? Were some sites better than others?

Management: Were the additional expenses of new equipment and management costs offset by additional sales? Did the vendors make more money? Were property owners/managers satisfied with the improvements? Have effective processes been developed to assign sites, collect fees, and resolve disputes? Are changes indicated for vending or public space regulation?

Work to date: Over the past year, the PSPMC has developed a comprehensive block by block plan to show the existing sites, and potential new vending sites. The PSPMC has also identified a number of new design concepts to test, and has fabricated a number of test vending stands. During the 2005 holiday season, the PSPMC will roll out several test vending stands, in partnership with vendors, to evaluate them on the street. The PSPMC has also begun the process of assigning vendors to specific sites. The PSPMC has started to enter into an "Operating Agreement" with individual vendors who work in the demonstration area. These agreements allow for appropriate enforcement of existing regulations, and in some cases provide technical or financial assistance to vendors. Finally, the Operating Agreements spell out a dispute resolution process that each vendor in the Demonstration Area will agree to follow as the program moves forward.