Pub. L. 90-596, tit. I, sec. 102

Sec. 102. The Congress finds that there is demand in the District for the use of public space for private gain by the owners of property abutting such space, or by the operators of businesses on such property. The Congress further finds that much of the use that is presently being made of such space by such owners or operators, and much of the use that is proposed to be made thereof, would not be in derogation of the rights of the general public to use such space if a determination be made by the Commissioner that some or all of such space is not required for the use of the general public and may be made available for use, for business purposes, by or with the consent of the owners of the private property abutting such public space, subject to the payment of adequate compensation for the use of such public space, and subject to the discontinuance of such use to the extent that the Commissioner may later determine such space to be required for the use of the general public, including use by a public utility company. The Congress therefore declares that public space in the District which the Commissioner finds is not required for the use of the general public may be made available by him for use, for business purposes, by or with the consent of the owners of private property abutting such space, upon payment to the District of compensation for the use of such space, and on the condition that such use will be discontinued in whole or in part, whenever the Commissioner determines that all or part of the public space is required for the use of the general public.