Owners Scream Over Complex Permit Procedures and Tens of Thousands of Dollars in Costs
Regular Customers Shed Tears Over Demolition of Terrace at Famous Filipino Restaurant ‘Purple Patch’
Permanent Permits Face Difficulties Due to Stricter Regulations… Conflicts Over Parking Spaces and Business Rights Add to the Flood
Outdoor dining spaces known as ‘Streateries,’ which had established themselves as a landmark of Washington D.C.’s restaurant districts, are rapidly disappearing. This is because business owners are giving up outdoor operations, unable to withstand the complex administrative procedures and massive regulatory costs, as the D.C. Department of Transportation has ended the temporary permit system introduced during the pandemic and switched to a permanent permit system.
On the evening of the 12th, about 90 regular customers gathered in front of ‘Purple Patch,’ a famous Filipino-American restaurant located in Mount Pleasant, Washington D.C. A 'farewell party' was held to mark the final day of operations for the 96-seat outdoor terrace, which had been a beloved venue for residents' engagements, weddings, and birthday parties for the past four years. The restaurant owner told local media that he received a 'Cease-and-Desist' notice from the D Department of Transportation a few days ago, stating that "if the outdoor structure is not removed immediately, a $500 fine will be imposed and the costs of forced removal will be charged." He added, "I had been waiting for eight months to apply for a permanent permit, but due to the authorities' unannounced and harsh crackdown, I ultimately had no choice but to close the terrace." In June 2020, the D.C. government allowed temporary streetscapes utilizing roadways, parking spaces, and alleyways to help restaurants survive. However, late last year, it converted this into a permanent program and significantly tightened regulations. Under the new regulations, business owners are required to pay a public land usage fee ($15 per square foot annually) and install three-foot-high concrete safety barriers. In addition, they must hire an architect and obtain complex individual approvals from various agencies, including the Department of Buildings (DOB), the Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABCA), the Historic Preservation Commission, and the Forest Service. Restaurant owners are expressing dissatisfaction regarding this. One pizza shop owner pointed out, "The administrative procedures are so complicated that we have to hire a dedicated staff member just to prepare permits, and there is absolutely no coordination between agencies." In fact, only one of the ten streets on Mount Pleasant remains today. DC