Newspapers Decry Box-Regulation Plan

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Byline: Jabeen Bhatti

A private business group's push to regulate the location and look of newspaper vending boxes in downtown D.C. is leaving newspapers big and small puzzled and concerned.

The Downtown D.C. Business Improvement District (BID) has proposed a plan to institute an annual $60 fee per vending box for publications, and to regulate the type, number and location of the boxes. Proponents of the plan, introduced Wednesday by D.C. Council member Sharon Ambrose, Ward 6 Democrat, say that something has to be done to help clean up business districts because the city has failed to take action.

" . . . a comprehensive and creative approach to managing commercial activities in public spaces is best for the city and for …