As expected, City Sports vacated its space at Pike & Rose this weekend. The athletic apparel chain has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and its year-old store at the Federal Realty development ended up being one of the casualties.
Given the prominence of the corner space at the current main entrance to Pike & Rose, you can be sure Federal Realty does not want this sitting empty for long. Particularly with the holiday shopping season rapidly approaching.
It's a prominent space but everything along old Georgetown road is not really pedestrian friendly. Walking along the big road is a bit intimidating.
ReplyDeleteThere's a road, there's a sidewalk, there's pedestrian crosswalks.
ReplyDelete"There's a road, there's a sidewalk, there's pedestrian crosswalks."
ReplyDeleteSo? That doesn't mean it's pedestrian friendly.
I've walked there with my children. The sidewalks are fine, but there's no buffer between the sidewalk and the road, like a strip of grass. It means I have to watch my toddler closely because if she takes a wrong step, she's in the road instead of the grass.
ReplyDeleteIf you weak across that new grand something road along old georgetown, that intersection feels crazy exposed crossing.
ReplyDeletePike and Rose isn't a shopping destination like fulls size strip malls. It's just not a place a family would say, "hey, let's go shopping. I know, let's go to Pike and Rose and walk around." People just aren't going to happen in that store/space. Therefore, they better find an establishment that will bring people to that location for no other reason but to shop or dine there. Like the movies, and like the restaurants.
ReplyDeleteSo, unless they can find a destination tenant, any future establishment will fail just like City Sports. Unless the tenant can survive on minimal sales volume.
Hopefully they add enough housing and office space that there are just people there all the time. I think that would be ideal.
Delete1:13: I think that's going to be a short-term problem, until Phase 2 gets built out. Then there will actually be more space to walk around and window shop.
Delete8:50: I believe that stretch of Old Georgetown will be reconfigured in the near future, and perhaps the sidewalk will be widened and separated from the road at that point.
Hey Mr. Dyer ... What is that construction in the parking lot at Westfields Montgomery Mall?(Next to the bridge across I-270, opposite Sears)
ReplyDelete1:15: It's the future Westfield Montgomery Mall Transit Center.
DeleteOld Georgetown around P&R will end up being something ridiculous like one thru lane in each direction, with the daily backups atarting at 270. Can't wait.
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't they include green space between sidewalks and road as they built it?
Yes isn't that so weird they didn't include green space!!
DeleteBuilding out that new area at MM is a waste of time. They should just tear down Sears and build it there.
ReplyDeleteCity Sports Bethesda closing December 31st
ReplyDelete"Anonymous Anonymous said...
ReplyDelete"There's a road, there's a sidewalk, there's pedestrian crosswalks."
So? That doesn't mean it's pedestrian friendly.
8:38 AM"
Why not? Are you expecting moving walkways?
I agree Steve D. It IS pedestrian friendly. Just not as "friendly" as some would like.
ReplyDeleteI think @2:02PM has it right. Massive traffic problems.