After what appeared to be a popular pilot program in late June, the Adams Morgan streatery will not close to traffic again through the course of the pandemic.

According to ANC 1C Commissioner Amir Irani, Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Office of Community Affairs issued a statement to Adams Morgan neighborhood groups this afternoon, confirming that the pedestrian zone on 18th Street will not return during the public health emergency.

The email, sent from MOCA Director Lamont Akins, says 18th Street in Adams Morgan will no longer fully be closed to traffic in light of “health and safety issues,” but restaurants along the strip are still permitted by the D.C. Department of Transportation to use the street for outdoor seating, in areas blocked off by concrete barriers.

MOCA did not immediately respond to DCist’s request for comment, and DDOT directed DCist to contact the mayor’s office. The mayor’s office did not immediately respond to DCist’s request for comment.

When the streatery debuted the weekend of June 27, many viewed the prototype-pedestrian zone largely as a success, with a few caveats that could be ironed out.

DDOT officials released a statement saying, “The past weekend was a beautiful one to see Washingtonians enjoying more space to dine, shop, and socialize with neighbors and friends.” Some raised concerns about a reported lack of masks and lax social distancing. And around 11 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, the road was reopened while many pedestrians still milled about — prompting further cause for concern.

To address the issues, Irani says that MOCA requested an updated health and safety plan from local neighborhood groups before 18th Street would close fully to traffic again. According to Irani, MOCA sent their request at 9 p.m. on July 30 with a return deadline of 12 p.m. the following day, in order for the pedestrian zone to return for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

The neighborhood groups responded less than 12 hours later with a three-page outline of safety measures, including plans for increased masks and social distancing signage, more volunteers to enforce safety precautions, and a system for businesses to register to participate. The streatery did not return out of an abundance of caution for the holiday weekend, but Irani says he expected that the detailed safety plan would ensure a return of the pedestrian zone throughout the summer.

“We went to great lengths to put something together that addressed the observations and feedback that we received to improve upon the pilot,” says Irani. “We got volunteers, we put 40-plus signs up about masks, physical distancing, and restaurants were getting additional staffing in. We bought hand sanitizer and hand sanitizer dispensers to have them installed in the public space. And after all this effort, we get an email today saying it’s not happening.”

While the road will remain open to cars, the city is still permitting restaurants to take up portions of the street for outdoor dining—a move that Irani finds dangerous.

“Adams Morgan in general has crowded sidewalks, pre-pandemic. And they cite health and safety reasons for not closing down the street, but then they want to bring more people to the street to eat and drink without masks, and ask that residents walk through the same narrow sidewalks. It just blows my mind.”

The Adams Morgan Commercial Development Coalition and other urban advocates have expressed frustration with the decision and a commitment to bringing back the streatery despite the recent ruling from the city. Irani says he has reached out to Ward 1 D.C. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau, who has been a large supporter of the pedestrian zone.

“We did the running, we got the volunteers and things,” says Irani. “But [the city] is not being helpful supporters at all.”

This story was updated to include that DCist reached out to the mayor’s office.