Unlimited Noise Hurts Sales

“The volume of the noise hurts H Street businesses,” said Anwar Saleem, long-time H Street NE business owner and executive director of H Street Main Street. Sales are down for H Street businesses in the vicinity of the amplified noise, he said. (Copyright © 2006. David Klavitter)

Saleem, a long-time H Street NE business owner and executive director of H Street Main Street, testified before the city council on July 9 that unlimited levels of amplified noise has hurt nearby H Street business sales.

"The noise is a burden on the businesses," said Saleem. "You can't talk to your customers at the counter without repeating yourself over and over."

While no restaurants with outdoor seating exist now on H Street now, Saleem said a restaurant with outdoor seating is scheduled to open soon a block and half a way from H and 8th St NE.

The restaurant would potentially be negatively impacted by the noise, Saleem told the council.