Laurel Avenue Street Closure

Takoma Streetery on Laurel Avenue

In support of Takoma Park’s small businesses, the City Council authorized the closure of the northbound side of Laurel Avenue for outdoor seating, sales, and customer pick-up, beginning June 12, 2020. The continued closure of the northbound lane was authorized by City Council in July 2021.

The side of Laurel Avenue where the businesses are located is closed to allow for outdoor dining, curbside pickup, public seating, and other public uses. The southbound lane of Laurel and the operation of the US Post Office remain unchanged. The Takoma Park Farmers Market is relocated to the parking lot behind the US Post Office for the Sunday market.

Re-Purposing Parking Spaces

The City manages a program for outdoor café seating in the public right-of-way, which could be either on sidewalks or in a parking space.  Participating businesses are required to obtain an Outdoor Café Permit (web page).

Measuring Traffic Impacts

In Spring 2023, in response to concerns expressed by residents, the City applied for and was awarded a technical assistance grant valued at $60,000.  The grant, provided through the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government’s Transportation Land-Use Connections program at no cost to the City, supports a full-scale traffic analysis of the area around the Laurel Avenue Streetery. Based on resident requests for additional traffic data, the study will evaluate impacts that may arise from a partial or full closure of the northbound lane of Laurel Avenue.

Community Feedback Regarding Street Closures

The City used a survey to collect community feedback on the Laurel Avenue closure, from  June to November, 2020.  A summary of the survey results is available here.

Council Actions:

July 28, 2021: Council authorized the continued closure of the northbound lane of Laurel Avenue, with the closure automatically renewing on January 1 of each year.
Resolution 2021-27: Supporting Small Businesses and Advancing Public Health by Allowing the Continued Use of Public and Private Space for Outdoor Seating, Sales, and Customer Pickup (PDF)

December 2, 2020:  Council approved an extension of the closure of Laurel Avenue for outdoor seating for restaurants and cafes to September 30, 2021
Resolution 2020-28:  Supporting Small Businesses and Advancing Public Health by Allowing the Continued Use of Public and Private Space for Outdoor Seating, Sales, and Customer Pickup

June 3, 2020:  Council approved temporary street closures for outdoor seating for restaurants and cafes.
Resolution 2020-13: Supporting Small Businesses and Advancing Public Health by Allowing the Use of Public and Private Space for Outdoor Seating, Sales, and Customer Pickup.