Woodley Park has long been in need of a grocery store, this has been raised publicly many times, most recently during the Wardman redevelopment and large tract review.

The reason for this petition comes from the owners of the property at 2616 Connecticut Ave NW. A potential grocer tenant for this retail space (former ACE Hardware space) requires approval of use of Public Space on the 24th Street side of the building to meet trash storage requirements for a grocery store. The permit would allow for the use of public space on the backside of the property (facing 24th Street NW) for the reinstallation of a trash enclosure.

At the February 22, 2024 meeting of the DC Public Space Committee (PSC), the application was DENIED and therefore the ability of the residents of Woodley Park to have a grocery store in the neighborhood was also effectively DENIED.

It is important to note the following: 

• This portion of the sidewalk is very wide and as such the site of the potential trash enclosure is out of the way of the desired path of any pedestrian utilizing the sidewalk.
• The owners of the property have agreed to seven-day a week pick up to help with rodent and other pest control.

If you support allowing the trash enclosure in order to secure a grocery store tenant in this space in Woodley Park and oppose the decision of the Public Space Committee, please sign the petition below. The petition will close on Apr. 5, 2024 and will be sent to the City Administrator to attempt to appeal the PSC decision.