A potential redevelopment scenario shown on the map consists of a mixed-use residential building that would range from 145' along Wisconsin to a stepped-down 75' where it faces residential properties in back. Its combined new street address would be 7008 Wisconsin Avenue. The current CBD-1 zone only allows for a structure of 60' in height, so the zone would first have to change to CR 4.0.
The existing property backs up to an alley and the multifamily housing along Strathmore Street. Washington Property Company is currently building a mixed-use project across Woodmont Avenue from this site, the Solaire Bethesda.
How does this affect the new Volvo dealership and interior design company (forget the name) that just refurbished and went in?
ReplyDelete7:44 That's a good question, although the Arlington Road project shows that a small auto dealership can be a ground floor tenant in a new building. Bigger question - with all the rumors about EuroMotorcars' main property being redeveloped in the future, how much longer will they be in Bethesda period? Will they consolidate in Germantown? Not exactly Bentley territory to the same degree as Bethesda.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to see the euro motorcars space turned into retail and residential and extend the borders of Betheada Row. It would help all those small businesses on Bethesda lane across Arlington road as well and open up Bethesda row to more owners and developers and variety, add more destinations, more places to walk to, etc. It's a shame that Giant is just a dead wall along Arlington. I never understood why groceries don't have retail around the exterior - there are no windows anyway! City Sports could use some more connection to Bethesda Row also - it's so lonely there, hardly anyone visits.
DeleteI don't mind the idea of all these dealerships migrating from downtown Bethesda to Rockville. It's nice to see a centralized area of dealerships. Route 7, Rockville Pike (although a bit spaced out), and the auto park in Briggs Chaney is really great!
DeleteThese showrooms and service centers don't necessarily need to be right in a busy downtown, with lots of parking required for visitors and storage, vehicle deliveries, dead at night, the industrial look and feel, and taking up huge spaces in an otherwise tight area.
I've always been disappointed in the design of the Arlington Road Giant.
ReplyDeleteWhy not have it more open to the street, perhaps with windows showing products or more easily into the store?
You can have urban car dealerships, but they are usually just a showroom with the cars stored elsewhere.
With respect to the Giant, the previous building in that space, a Giant Pharmacy, did have retail along its side. There was a Baskin Robbins, an office supply store, and maybe a real estate office or salon. I guess they junked that idea this time to get more floorspace.
ReplyDeleteRegarding car dealers, I'd like to see at least Euro Motorcars and the Chevy Chase Acura dealers remain. Automotive businesses have long been key parts of Bethesda's downtown.
Not trying to sound snarky, just asking innocently. How come you think dealerships are integral downtown vs. up the ways a bit?
DeleteJason, my guess would be that if EuroMotorcars and Bradley Shopping Center could merge, it would be potentially the biggest future redevelopment project in downtown Bethesda. I also believe that such a combination of tracts might also qualify them for additional density under the current rules.
ReplyDeleteThere's something odd about the Giant designs in general. The Westbard Avenue store was renovated, and now has a similar "wall" exterior. When I was a kid, there were massive windows that stretched across the front facade of that store. It's almost like they know about future riots that are going to take place, or something! Weird, but definitely not inviting as a street-facing facade.
Brad and 2:32: Frankly, I'm wondering how long even the Auto Sales Park will be there, with all of the big development plans out that way. Same for Rockville Pike. If you're a dealership in Northern VA or Frederick County, you've got to be rubbing your hands together thinking about the spike in business long-term, when MoCo develops itself out of every non-boutique retail and auto service sector. The reality is, I have to spend a fortune right now just on gas, to take my car in for service at the dealership. It's about as inconvenient as it gets, and sure isn't helping the environment with all the extra fuel and driving.
ReplyDeleteIs rather use the gas to drive my car a few miles north to Rockville for service and have more walkable amenities in downtown bethesda. Opposite traffic flow for the infrequent times I do service my car. Cheaper rent theoretically means cheaper service prices. More amenities in downtown walkable distance means net less driving to get what I want.
DeleteYou seem to be saying that auto dealerships in NoVa are at far less risk of being redeveloped than in MoCo. Doesn't that go against your repeated claim that MoCo is a backwater compared to NoVa?
ReplyDeleteAlso, just how far do you actually have to drive to get your car repaired, and just how bad is the fuel economy of your car?