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THE (URBAN) FARM

Controversy Over Bethesda Farmers Market Move

Still Simmering Despite Successful Opening Day

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

The popular, year-round Bethesda Central Farm Market officially opened its 2012 season on Sunday, at Bethesda Elementary School. Despite it being the first market held away from its original Bethesda Row location on Elm Street, the opening day appeared to have been a success, and featured several new vendors.

But that didn't quiet critics of the move. Last night, transit advocacy group Action Committee for Transit released a statement and photos it says prove the pretense for moving the market given by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation was "a sham."

The official reason was that the pending closure of the section of Woodmont Avenue affected by the Darcy condo project would increase traffic pressure in the Bethesda Row area, requiring the need for Elm Street to be fully open Sunday mornings.

"There is no car traffic on Sunday mornings," said ACT's Ronit Dancis, and the included photo shows a virtually empty block of Elm Street.

In contrast, a second photo shows a jam-packed parking lot at Bethesda ES. ACT says the photo was taken at 9:30 AM, 30 minutes after the market's start. By this point, ACT asserts, the market "ran out of parking."

ACT's primary concerns, that the market is now away from the action, and that the new location encourages automobile travel over walking or biking, remain. They also believe the move has hurt Sunday morning business at Bethesda Row shops.

I think they have a very good point about the business impact. BCFM has always been a good neighbor at Bethesda Row. They have regularly encouraged patrons to stay for brunch at Bethesda Row after the market. Should people be inclined to stay now, they will be closer to restaurants in "Old Town" Bethesda, rather than Bethesda Row. The other problem is that they have to move their car again, rather than just walking around the corner to brunch, in either Old Town or Bethesda Row.

But I also think the Old-New Bethesda dynamic is really the central issue here. As I mentioned Sunday, sure, the new spot is relatively inconvenient for Bethesda Row residents and visitors. However, the vast majority of apartments and condos are actually in Old Town Bethesda. So that should encourage a greater number of walkers than before.

At the same time, two other factors disfavor the new site: it is not just off the Capital Crescent Trail for morning bike riders and joggers, and the Bethesda Circulator doesn't have Sunday hours.

Would I prefer the market was back at Elm St.? Of course. But we won't know the full impact of the Woodmont closure until it happens - about 60 days from now. At that point, the traffic volume and patterns should be studied. If the impact is minimal, perhaps the county will reconsider the matter.

There are also other factors, such as emergency vehicle access in case of a fire, that are part of the MCDOT's judgement. They'd also need to consider the traffic level up through 1:00, which increases as the day goes on.

Finally, if the goal here is promoting environmentally-friendly policies and local, sustainable farming, I believe having more attendees would outweigh the desire for less cars.

First, we need to establish if there really are more cars, or if we're simply seeing all the cars that used to be hidden in the public garages and lots at Bethesda Row crammed into one place.

Second, I am sure that BCFM can tell us if market sales increase or decline.

So let's say we found there are more people driving, but that sales are markedly up. Isn't the environmental impact of that - in the grand scheme of things - inconsequential? And the greater impact - more people eating local, fresh produce; improving their health; and keeping farms going, rather than having them snapped up by developers, who pollute watersheds with construction runoff - more important than how we travel there?

Certainly, I would encourage all of those who can to make the walk; it's not that far. And ACT should continue to be engaged on the issue. They have made several good points that should be debated. Ultimately, once the street closure takes effect, it is not beyond possibility that the market could move back. If not, perhaps MCDOT can give a fuller reasoning of why that is, so patrons will be understanding that the inconvenience is unavoidable.

Until then, please continue to voice your opinions here in the comments, or directly to BCFM.

Do you think it's positive that the market is closer to a majority of residential buildings in downtown Bethesda at the new location? Is it bad if more people drive if farmers receive more income? Is it a dealbreaker for you if the market is further from the action at Bethesda Row? Did you attend the market this past Sunday? If so, how was your experience? Better, worse? If the parking lot is jammed, will that encourage people to walk?

I think everyone is prepared to adjust to the circumstances. Part of urban living is big projects like The Darcy getting built, and people adapting to constant change. And it's also about people having the freedom to voice their opinions, and effect change themselves.

This is a healthy dialogue. In the meantime, let's all try to remember the positive goals of supporting local farmers, and enjoying a healthier lifestyle at the market on Sundays, 9:00-1:00! Wherever it is.