Inauguration Planning Resources for DowntownDC

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The DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) is working to collect and disseminate information for DowntownDC stakeholders related to security, transportation and planning surrounding events for the 58th Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20, 2017.

The information below will be updated periodically as new information is provided by the District Department of Transportation, the Office of Planning, the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Secret Service, the Metropolitan Police Department and additional agencies.

To subscribe to receive inauguration email alerts directly from the BID, email DowntownDC BID Public Space Manager Blake Holub at blake@downtowndc.org.

UPDATED: Jan. 19, 2017

On behalf of the United States Secret Service (USSS) and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) the DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) would like to share information related to impacts to the “red zone” or hard perimeter on Thursday, Jan. 19 and Friday, Jan. 20 surrounding the Presidential Inauguration. The hard perimeter boundaries will begin to be constructed at 3rd Street & Pennsylvania Avenue NW beginning at 3 a.m on Thursday morning with MPD instituting rolling closures as the team moves westbound. This will be a significant traffic impediment to motorists, but authorities will try to limit impacts as much as possible during this time.

As a result, USSS is STRONGLY ADVISING any properties located within the red zone (see map below) to have deliveries made to the property by 3 a.m on Thursday as well as have all motor vehicles removed from parking garages in the red zone by 3 a.m. During the build-out of the hard perimeter, Jersey barriers will be placed in front of ALL PARKING GARAGE ENTRANCES in the red zone and the parking garages will not be accessible. Any vehicles remaining in garages within the hard perimeter after 3 a.m. could be blocked in until after restrictions are lifted.

Authorities will do their best to leave intersections open during business hours on Thursday, but a complete lock down of the red zone will be in place by 3 a.m. Friday morning. Public entrances to the parade route will be opened at 6 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20. The parade is scheduled to begin around 2:30 p.m. and end between 5-6 p.m. It will take several hours following the event to remove security barriers. USSS predicts impacted areas will be opened up to traffic around 6-7 p.m Friday, Jan. 20. The full removal of barriers from downtown will likely occur throughout Friday night and into Saturday evening.

USSS recommends that anyone who will be traversing the “red zone” on Jan. 20 who is not attending the parade possess valid government-issued identification in addition to credentials detailing why one needs to be within the red zone other than to attend the parade. Tenants and residents within red zone should check with property management regarding accessibility and scheduling for their respective building on Jan. 20.

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Wednesday, Jan. 18: The USSS will begin staging barriers as early as Wednesday, placing them along sidewalks, but no closures will occur on Wednesday. Additionally “no parking” signs will be placed along all legal parking spots within the “hard” and “soft” perimeters in preparation for the area to be sealed off. Parking Enforcement will begin to ticket and tow all vehicles within the “hard perimeter” beginning at 12 p.m. on Jan. 18, ending on Monday, Jan. 23 at 1 a.m. 
 
Thursday, Jan. 19: The USSS will begin building the perimeter with Jersey barriers at 3 a.m. Thursday morning near 3rd St & Pennsylvania Ave, gradually moving west throughout the day. Parking Enforcement will begin to ticket and tow all vehicles on the streets that are within the “green perimeter” starting at 7 a.m. ending on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 1 a.m. MPD will be closing some streets starting as early as 1 a.m. on Jan. 19, but will try to limit the impact on the public including motorists and pedestrians. These closures will be “rolling closures” as they remove light fixtures and other public space assets from Pennsylvania Ave and areas adjacent to the parade route. It is HIGHLY ADVISED that all deliveries to properties and removal of vehicles in parking garages within the “red zone” occur before 1 a.m. on Thursday.

Friday, Jan. 20: Once the barriers are placed in front of parking garage doors these WILL NOT be removed until after the parade has concluded and in a gradual manner (about 6 p.m. on Jan. 20). Authorities will do their best to leave intersections open during business hours on Thursday but complete lock down will be in place by 3 a.m. Friday morning. Public entrances to the parade route will be opened at 6 a.m. and the parade will being roughly around 2:30 p.m. ending in the evening (5-6 p.m.). It will take several hours to get these barriers removed following the events, but USSS foresees some impacted areas opened up to traffic around 6-7 p.m. Full removal of barriers from downtown will likely occur late Friday night into Saturday morning and throughout the remainder of the Saturday.

Inaugural event attendees are encouraged to use public transportation, as many streets in and around the Capitol Grounds and the National Mall area will be closed to private automobiles for much of the day. Metro plans to run special rail service on Inauguration Day to support large crowds traveling to and from the National Mall and other events in the region.
On Inauguration Day, Jan. 20:

Metrorail

  • Metrorail will open at 4 a.m. and close at midnight. Peak fares will be in effect from 4 a.m. until 9 p.m. After 9 p.m., off-peak fares will be in effect.
  • Five of Metro’s 91 stations — Archives, Mt Vernon Square, Federal Triangle, Smithsonian and Pentagon – will be closed due to enhanced security measures.
  • For 17 consecutive hours — from opening until 9 p.m. — trains will run frequently on all lines, including “Rush Plus” service on the Yellow Line between Franconia-Springfield and Greenbelt.
  • Riders planning to use Metro are encouraged to purchase their SmarTrip card in advance to avoid long lines on Inauguration Day. (Each rider age 5 or older needs his/her own SmarTrip card to enter and exit the system.) Before Jan. 13, visit wmata.com/inauguration to purchase a special $10 one-day pass good for unlimited Metrorail and Metrobus trips on Inauguration Day.
  • Metro recommends that riders plan their trip to the National Mall without transferring between lines. There is a station near the National Mall on each Metro line.

Metrobus

  • Metrobus will operate “Saturday Supplemental” service (Saturday schedule with additional trips on selected routes). Check wmata.com for details.
  • Approximately 50 routes will operate with detours due to Inauguration events and road closures. Expect delays and detours. Please allow additional time.
  • Routes that normally cross the National Mall will turn around at special locations outside the secure area; use Metrorail instead. Visit wmata.com/inauguration for information.
  • Temporary bus stops will be marked around the security perimeter of the event where bus routes will end.

MetroAccess

  • MetroAccess paratransit service for customers with disabilities will operate identical hours to rail and bus schedules.
  • MetroAccess customers are encouraged to plan extra time to travel due to increased traffic throughout the service area. Due to road closures, MetroAccess vehicles will only be able to drop off customers several blocks from the National Mall and parade route.
  • MetroAccess vehicles will not be permitted access to streets that are closed. All MetroAccess users should be prepared for detours and extended travel times.

Parking

  • Metro has approximately 60,000 parking spaces in 29 lots and 22 garages throughout the Washington region for private motorists to park on Inauguration Day. Many of these facilities are located near major highways, such as I-95/I-495 (Capital Beltway).
  • Tour buses are not permitted to park at Metro stations or use Metro bus facilities or roadways. Follow tour bus instructions on dc.gov.
  • Regular weekday parking rates will be charged as you exit the garage and may be paid by credit card.
  • Parking facilities at Metro stations may reach capacity early on Inauguration Day. Have a backup plan in the event that your selected parking facility is full.

Metro’s website is wmata.com. For important real-time updates regarding Metro service and parking availability, follow @wmata@metrorailinfo and @metrobusinfo, and sign up for Metro Inauguration Alerts by texting POTUS to 90360. For Metro travel information by phone, call (202) 637-7000 [TTY 202- 962-2033].

Charter Buses

Transportation and security planners anticipate up to 1,500 private buses carrying approximately 100,000 participants to Washington, D.C. for the Inauguration events. Parking is only available at RFK Stadium and must be reserved in advance at http://goground.com/pi2017/home. From RFK Stadium, passengers will be able to take Metrorail, walk, or in limited cases, take shuttle buses to the Inauguration events.

Charter buses will not be able to park and/or drop off passengers at any Metro station in Washington D.C., Virginia or Maryland. All transportation providers planning to travel to the District of Columbia during Inauguration Week with chartered buses, motor carriers, etc., must obtain a trip permit from the District Department of Motor Vehicles if they do not have apportioned tags and must reserve parking in advance. Parking for charter buses is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, please visit:

For a full list of closures, view the United States Secret Service Press Release here https://www.secretservice.gov/data/press/releases/JIC-01_PressRelease_TransportationPlan-Final_USCP-1-6-17.pdf. If you have specific questions pertaining to an area within the hard or soft perimeter please contact the DowntownDC BID.

2017 Presidential Inaugural Subcommittees Announce The Joint Transportation Plan 

January 6, 2017 

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the 2017 Presidential Inaugural Subcommittees announce the Joint Transportation Plan for the 58th Presidential Inauguration. Events and activities celebrating the Inauguration, a designated National Special Security Event, will take place from Thursday, January 19 to Saturday, January 21, 2017. 

This Transportation Plan provides the general outlines for vehicular restricted zones, road closures, charter vehicles, public transportation and pedestrian routes. Additional information is available online for residents of the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland, as well as for charter operators, through the websites listed at the end of this plan. Additions to this plan may be made prior to the Inaugural and will be updated on these websites. Specific questions regarding this transportation plan should be directed to the participating agencies as identified. 

Security and transportation plans for the 2017 Inauguration were developed by a partnership of local, state and federal law enforcement and public safety agencies, including the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, the Virginia State Police, the Maryland Department of Transportation, the United States Secret Service, the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the United States Capitol Police and the United States Park Police. 

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL LIST OF STREET CLOSURES 

Prohibited Items 

  • Aerosols 
  • Ammunition 
  • Animals other than service/guide animals 
  • Backpacks and bags exceeding size restrictions (18” by 13” by 7”) 
  • Bicycles 
  • Balloons 
  • Coolers 
  • Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems 
  • Explosives 
  • Firearms 
  • Glass, thermal, or metal containers 
  • Laser pointers 
  • Mace / Pepper spray 
  • Packages 
  • Selfie Sticks 
  • Signs exceeding the size restrictions (20’ x 3’ x 1/4”) 
  • Structures 
  • Supports for signs and placards 
  • Toy guns 
  • Weapons of any kind 
  • Any other items determined to be potential safety hazards 

REMINDER: FIREARMS IN DC 

The open carrying of firearms is prohibited in the District of Columbia. To carry a concealed firearm within District of Columbia, you must have a District of Columbia issued concealed carry permit, and be in compliance with all applicable requirements, – 17 – 

restrictions, and prohibitions under the law. There is no reciprocity with other validly issued out of District permits. Even with a valid District of Columbia issued permit, a permit holder is still prohibited from carrying in certain designated areas, to include, but not limited to, demonstrations, federal buildings, the National Mall, the White House complex, the U.S. Capitol grounds, and gatherings or special events open to the public such as the Presidential Inauguration. 

Capital Bikeshare Corrals / Bike Parking / Streetcar / Circulator 

Capital Bikeshare will establish two corrals on Inauguration Day to serve members attending the Inauguration and Inaugural Parade Capital Bikeshare Corrals will be operational at: 

  • 17th St. and K St. NW 
  • 4th and E St. SW 

Bike parking will be free at 16th St. and I St. NW. 

DC Streetcar will operate from 4 am Friday, January 20 until 2 am Saturday, January 21. 

Bikeshare stations in the National Mall area will be closed January 19 and 20. 

Riders are subject to any losses or damage for bikes left at closed stations. 

DC Circulator will suspend service on four routes; Union Station- Navy Yard, National Mall, Rosslyn-Dupont and Georgetown-Union Station. 

For more information on Capital Bikeshare, visit http://www.capitalbikeshare.com

Social Media 

Information will be available prior to and during Inauguration Day on social media sites, including Twitter and Facebook. To see Inauguration related material, please use #inaug2017. Some of the Twitter sites being used to communicate information from the Inaugural public safety and security partners include: 

  • Secret Service – @SecretService 
  • Joint Task Force-National Capital Region – @MDW_USARMY 
  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security – @DHSgov 
  • National Terrorism Advisory System – @NTASAlerts 
  • Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies – @JCCIC / #inauguration2017 
  • D.C. Government Agencies – @inaug2017 / #inaug2017 
  • Inauguration Information – #inaug2017 – 18 – 

Text Alerts: To receive free emergency alerts and public notifications regarding the Inauguration, text the word “INAUG” to 888777. Text messaging fees may apply according to your cellular plan. 

Online Information 

Additional information is available online for residents of the District, Virginia and Maryland, as well as charter operators, through the following websites: 

In addition, Inauguration information is available on the following sites to help those attending the inaugural events: 

Emergency Services 

The District of Columbia Department of Human Services (DHS) serves as the lead agency mandated with coordinating Mass Care Services as it relates to any event that should happen to occur and causes multiple people in the District to be displaced and in need of emergency temporary sheltering as well as other mass care needs. DHS will provide the following emergency care assistance: 

  • First aid shelters 
  • Emergency shelters 
  • Warming sites 
  • Warming tents 
  • Family reunification sites 

Site locations and other information can be found at: http://www.inauguration.dc.gov 

Downtown Traffic Advisory – Street Closures For Jan. 21 Women’s March On Washington

On behalf of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), the DowntownDC Business Improvement District would like to inform the public of street closures in conjunction with the Women’s March on Washington, scheduled for Jan. 21, 2017. The following streets will be closed starting at 3:00 am on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, and will re-open at approximately 6:00 pm; or when safe to do so.

  • 3rd Street, NW, from Constitution Avenue, NW, to C Street SW
  • Independence Avenue, SW, from First Street, SW, to 6th Street, SW
  • Maryland Avenue, SW, from First Street, SW, to Independence Avenue, SW
  • 4th Street, NW, from Constitution Avenue, NW, to C Street, SW

Additionally, at approximately 1:00 pm there will be rolling street closures along the march route:

  • West on Independence Avenue, SW, from 3rd Street, SW, to 14th Street, SW
  • North on 14th Street, SW, to Constitution Avenue, NW
  • West on Constitution Avenue, NW, to 17th Street, NW, where the group will disband                                                 

Motorists traveling in the area of this event may experience delays and should consider alternative routes, if possible. MPD and the DDOT would like to remind motorists to pay full attention whenever operating any motor vehicle and to be mindful of heavy pedestrian traffic that may be associated with special events. These street closings are subject to change without notice based upon unanticipated events and prevailing conditions.

Due to requests by local law enforcement, Capital Bikeshare is changing the location of Corral Service for the Women’s March on Washington on Jan. 21. 

Capital Bikeshare will provide Corral Service to accommodate attendees of the Women’s March on Washington. Corral Service will run on Saturday, January 21 from 7am to 5pm at the following station (in yellow on map below): 4th St & E St SW
 
 
This location is subject to change at any time due to the status of the security perimeter on Saturday. Please check Facebook & Twitter for any recent updates, and use Spotcycle to check bike and dock availability before beginning your trip no matter where you are heading.

TELEWORK RECOMMENDATIONS:

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) confirmed the plan is for federal workers to be off on inauguration day, Jan. 20. To help alleviate traffic congestion and minimize distraction to law enforcement and security officials, OPM is urging agencies to permit employees to use their workplace flexibility options on Wednesday, Jan. 18 and Thursday, Jan. 19. In addition, OPM strongly encourages agencies to allow employees to telework to keep the federal government operating while helping to minimize traffic congestion and support law enforcement efforts during these events.