D.C.’s Union Market is one step closer to expanded parking and infrastructure improvements. The D.C. Council has voted to approve a bill that would promise a $36 million tax-increment financing subsidy for 600 additional parking spaces at the indoor market, the Washington Business Journal reported. According to that same report, an additional $46.4 million will be put toward infrastructure improvements.

Councilmembers Elissa Silverman and David Grosso had hoped the $36 million would instead go toward affordable housing and transit connections, the Washington Business Journal noted. "The majority of D.C. residents do not even have cars, and that percentage rises above 80 percent in fast-growing areas like NoMa, which is just a few blocks away where there are ample transit opportunities," Grosso said.

While the bill still needs to go through a second round of readings and a vote, Silverman was the singular “no” vote in this round. According to the Washington Business Journal, this hints at “virtually assuring it will be adopted come December.”

Councilman Jack Evans of Ward 2 feels the additional parking will help encourage consumers to come out to the area. "Parking is critical for the retail we are trying to attract to the Union Market area," Evans said to the Washington Business Journal. 

The Washington Business Journal did note that this is not the first time the District has subsidized parking. Columbia Heights’ D.C. USA parking structure was such a success that the bonds sold to fund it were paid off ahead of schedule. However, the garage now is being underused and losing money.

Similarly, the Office of the Chief Financial Officer expects the market’s $140 million in annual tax revenue to cover the parking bonds, the Washington Business Journal noted.

The infrastructure improvements will address the frequent power outages and water issues Union Market deals with. These issues result in the roads needing to be torn up, the Washington Business Journal said, and disturbs the normal consumer traffic flow in the area.