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Prather’s Plaza Featured on NACTO Conference Tour

Friday June 6, 2025

Last Thursday and Friday, MVT CID staff welcomed dozens of national transportation experts to Prather’s Plaza as part of the 2025 National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) Designing Cities Conference in Washington DC. Entitled “Activated Alleys,” the tour was co-led by Rita AbouSamra and Kim Williams from DC’s Office of Planning, and EL Studio Architecture principals Elizabeth Emerson and Mark Lawrence, all of whom were instrumental in the transformation of Prather’s Alley and the creation of Prather’s Plaza here in Mount Vernon Triangle.

It was a pleasure to share insights on some of the strategic public space interventions that have been implemented at 4-1/2 & K Streets NW including the one-waying of Prather’s Alley, the MVT Photo Walk installation at Prather’s Alley and along the 400 Block of K Street NW, and the tactical transportation safety measures implemented in Prather’s Plaza. Thanks to the assistance and expertise of our partners at EL Studio, Livable City Group, DC Office of Planning, and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), we have carved out a sliver of space in our neighborhood that is safer and more pleasant for the entire community to enjoy!

On Thursday, the tour group was treated to an additionally activated Prather’s Plaza as Carpe Librum popped-up for its monthly used book sale, while the Friday tour got to check out the award-winning Mobile Kiosks designed by EL Studio and funded through DC Office of Planning’s Streets For People Grant Program. MVT CID staff members Kaitlin, Grace, and Intern Ian stuck around after the tour on Friday to meet with members of the community and share more information about the work we do here at Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District. Thanks to everyone who stopped by or followed along with our giveaways on the @MVTCID Instagram – we hope to do more activations in Prather’s Plaza this summer so stay tuned to Triangle Times for more information!