Sidewalk Widening Project Page
Creating more space for customers on Georgetown’s narrow sidewalks will provide space for social distancing, support outdoor dining to help restaurants survive, and create a more lively and inviting pedestrian experience. The goal of the Georgetown Decks is to help Georgetown recover from the pandemic by making it an even better place than it was before COVID.
Project Overview
The BID is building approximately 4,000 linear feet of sidewalk deck panels on M Street between 34th Street and 29th Street, and on Wisconsin Avenue between Q Street and the Canal. The Georgetown Decks will provide a more welcoming experience for outdoor dining and create more space for pedestrians to safely and comfortably walk through Georgetown. If the city permits retail activity on the deck, retailers would be able to use the space to display and sell merchandise.
The decking will extend Georgetown’s narrow sidewalks from an average of 9.5 feet to an average of 15 feet, using removable 4′ x 6.5′ panels. The deck extensions are designed to be accessible to those using a wheelchair or pushing a stroller, to allow stormwater to flow under the deck to the curb, and to keep storm drains and fire hydrants clear. The panels will be built with composite decking on top of a wood frame. A combination of black metal barriers and concrete barriers will protect the sidewalk extensions to keep diners and pedestrians safe.
The sidewalk deck panels will be in place through December 31, 2021, during which time the BID and the community will evaluate the project and modify, as necessary, to respond to specific issues. If the project is successful and the community wishes to keep the extensions in place beyond 2021, the BID will go through another permitting process to keep them up longer.
Budget & Schedule
The current budget for this project is approximately $1.3 million. The BID received a grant from the DC Council in the FY 2021 budget for $500,000. The remainder will be paid for by the BID out of its capital projects budget.
Installation of the deck will begin April 12 and is scheduled to be complete May 24. The three-day (in most cases) installation process for each block will generally be as follows:
- Day 1: Final measurements for deck section on-site
- Day 2: Fabrication of deck section off-site
- Day 3: Install deck section
Sections for each block will be measured, fabricated, and installed on a rolling basis, so that measuring, fabricating, and/or installing will occur every day, except weekends. Click here for the complete installation schedule by block.
The sidewalk extensions will be in place through December 2021, and may be extended into 2022 and beyond if the businesses and the community want to keep them in place.
Utility Access
Utility companies must maintain access to their utility covers and infrastructure under the street. The BID will mark the outside edge and top of the deck to indicate the presence of a utility cover under that section of deck. The BID will also provide utility companies with a contractor that is available 24/7 to remove barriers and deck panels when needed.
Businesses using the deck should understand that there will be planned and unplanned utility work that may require temporary removal of the deck and a temporary suspension of their use of the deck. The BID will coordinate with utilities and businesses to the best of our ability to manage planned work.
Questions & Comments
Please email georgetowndecks@georgetowndc.com to ask questions or provide comments on the Georgetown Decks.
