(Washington, DC) – The DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) will conduct two lotteries to distribute newly identified street vending sites around the new Nationals Park in Southeast – including 14 additional sites.

DCRA will conduct a lottery for the 14 additional sites on Thursday, July 24, 2008, at 5:30 pm. Vendors can register for this lottery beginning Monday, July 21, 2008 at 8:45 am through Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 4:30 pm. Lottery winners of the 14 additional sites will be charged a permit fee of $246.00 ($123 per month for August and September) and will receive a permit valid for the duration of the 2008 Major League Baseball season.

For a vendor to be eligible for the July 24, 2008 lottery, the vendor must appear at the BBL Center in person and display a valid vending license or apply for a new license and meet all necessary license requirements. Each vendor shall enter his or her name, customer number, and desired additional vending sites into the self-service kiosks. Assistance with the electronic registration process will be provided by BBL Center staff.

A second lottery will be conducted for the 28 original sites around Nationals Park on July 29, 2008.  Interested vendors can register for this lottery at anytime though 4:30 pm on July 29, 2008. Winners of this lottery will have exclusive rights to their site for one month beginning on August 1, 2008.

DCRA will continue to hold subsequent lotteries on the last Tuesday of each month to distribute the 28 sites for the following month for the duration of the baseball season.

Winners of the lotteries, both of which will be conducted by an independent contractor, will be posted on the DCRA website at dcra.dc.gov by 11 am on the following day.

Winners of this lottery will have exclusive rights to their site for one month beginning on August 1, 2008. DCRA will hold subsequent lotteries on the last Tuesday of each month to distribute the sites for the following month for the duration of the baseball season.

DCRA, in cooperation with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), has identified 28 sites around the ballpark. DCRA, MPD and DDOT will continue to monitor the area to identify new sites and ensure current sites remain safe for vendors and the public as new construction in the area continues.

Vendors who have questions can call the DCRA Vending Hotline at (202) 442-4512.

Maps of all sites are available on the DCRA website.