Downtown Bethesda will soon have only 2 gas stations left, if a redevelopment proposal at 7628 Old Georgetown Road demolishes the Shell station on that site.
A public meeting is scheduled for July 11, 2013, at 7:00 PM, at the BCC Regional Services Center (4805 Edgemoor Lane, Room D). Attorney Chris Ruhlen of Lerch, Early and Brewer will ostensibly reveal the mystery project at that time.
Unlike the Wisconsin Avenue gas station project I told you about yesterday, this one offers no details so far. Is it the likely scenario of mixed-use redevelopment? Or could it be a new service station or other commercial retail use?
Owner Petroleum Marketing Group has not returned a message as of press time this morning.
The one factor that would suggest it would not simply be a new gas station, is that PMG purchased the property in 2006. If that was all they intended - to improve the gas station - it likely would have happened by now. On the other hand, PMG is rapidly expanding, and actively soliciting property owners who want to sell existing stations, or land suiting for building stations.
As one of the largest gas "jobbers" in the region, it's unclear how selling or redeveloping the site fits PMG's stated business plan, other than as a sidebar revenue generator.
Stay tuned for more, but, suffice it to say, something is planned for this site at Old Georgetown and Woodmont Avenue.
It should not be approved unless the gas station remains. Bethesda needs them.
ReplyDeleteIt's true, we need a few gas stations left in the downtown.
ReplyDeleteNot just for fuel, but for service as well. If you need a tire patched, engine fluids, etc.
Particularly since it's hard to service your own vehicle if you live in an apartment/condo.
And, I'm not aware of any apartment garages having electric charging stations yet.