Red-Topped Parking Meter Program Halted in DC

The program—designed to bring more handicapped-accessible parking to DC—was canceled only after 400 red-topped meters had been installed, The Washington Examiner reported.

Washington, DC's plan to bring more handicapped-accessible parking spots to the city by installing hundreds of red-topped parking meters for the exclusive use of vehicles with handicapped plates or plaques is no more, The Washington Examiner reported. The plan—which would have required drivers of vehicles with handicapped plates or plaques to pay to park (currently, they're allowed double the amount of time allotted for the space, and do not have to pay, Greater Greater Washington reported), but which would have made more parking spaces available for them—was voted down by the City Council earlier this month, The Examiner added. Unfortunately, this decision came a little too late to save some money: "About 400 red-top meters are already …

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Speak Out: Should DC Charge for Handicapped Parking?

A new program requiring drivers of cars with handicapped plaques or plates to pay for metered parking in Washington, DC, likely is still months away from implementation, but it already has many challengers, The Examiner reported.

A new program requiring drivers of cars with handicapped plaques or plates to pay for metered parking in Washington, DC, likely is still months away from implementation, but it already has many challengers, The Washington Examiner reported last month: The program, newly revised in a bill sponsored by DC Council member Mary Cheh, D-Ward 3, would require disabled drivers to pay for on-street parking—something they now get for free—but reserve 1 in 10 of the city's parking spaces, marked with red meters. The program aims to curb the use of fraudulent use of disability placards, which officials say is rampant downtown. Months of negotiations and adjustments have already gone into the program, which "probably won't get through the DC Council …

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Where to Park in Georgetown this Halloween

Here is a list of where to and where not to park your car in Georgetown for Halloween 2012.

Are you ready to head out after Hurricane Sandy and go out for a Halloween dinner or take your children trick-or-treating in Georgetown? How to Get There: If you are not a Georgetown resident or an employee of a local business, the best way to get to the neighborhood for Halloween festivities is public transportation, advises the District Department of Transportation. "Please note, although there are no plans at this time to close major roads including M Street and Wisconsin Avenue, participants are strongly encouraged to take public transportation to avoid delays," explained DDOT in a press release. Where to Park: You can park in two Parking Management, Inc. parking garages on M Street in Georgetown for an all-day rate of $5. The garages …

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Public Works Resumes Trash Collection Thursday

Trash regularly collected on Wednesday will be collected on Thursday instead.

The Department of Public Works took a holiday along with the rest of us on Wednesday. Trash collection will resume Thursday, as well as residential parking enforcement. The department issued the following statement regarding this week's trash pick-up and parking enforcment. The D.C. Department of Public Works will observe Independence Day, Wednesday, July 4, and most services will be suspended.  However, the Nationals will play home games at Nationals Park July 3-8, and parking regulations in that neighborhood will be enforced daily, including July 4.  Vehicles violating these restrictions will be ticketed and towed.  Other parking regulations, including expired meters, residential parking and street sweeping, will be suspended for the …

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Forget the Free Parking for 2 Amy's

The lot behind the Giant on Wisconsin Avenue will be closed for two years during construction at the grocery store.

The Who, What and How of Diplomatic License Plates

Powder blue diplomatic plates are a common sight around Georgetown, but who has them and what makes them different from normal license plates?

Between WikiLeaks and navigating international issues like terrorism and global warming, being a diplomat isn’t always easy. But the job has its perks—especially when it comes to parking. For Georgetown residents, the pale blue plates and reserved parking spots in some of the best areas of town are a common sight. But what privileges do diplomatic plates come with and who exactly is allowed to have them?  “There are no perks that come with having diplomatic plates,” said an official from the State Department. “For law enforcement purposes, the plates...identify vehicles as being owned by a diplomatic mission…and indicate to law enforcement officers that the operator of the motor vehicle may be entitled to diplomatic immunity.” While it’s …

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