Sunday, September 25, 2016

Drop-off driveway removed at 2 Bethesda Metro Center, new sign installed (Photos)

A renovation project along the North Lane side of the Newlands Building, a.k.a. 2 Bethesda Metro Center, appears to be nearing completion. One major subtraction was something rapidly becoming a throwback novelty in downtown Bethesda: a drop-off driveway. A minor addition is a new sign sporting the name of the building, which is located at North Lane and Woodmont Avenue.
I happened to just be reading a discussion on Facebook regarding the Bethesda Downtown sector plan currently up for approval. Several participants were lamenting the lack of drop-off lanes or driveways at new residential buildings downtown. It was noted that such driveways were even included in some new projects, but ended up being deleted, such as at the Flats at 8300 site.
Here is a driveway that actually existed, which has now been removed. I know that minor landscaping was to be part of this renovation. Let's hope something nice is planned for this large, new area at one of the top buildings in downtown Bethesda. Otherwise, they've simply traded a useful driveway for a sea of concrete between the street and the building. Hardly an improvement, and likely to increase traffic issues around the property as visitors, and valets attempt drop-offs and deliveries in active traffic lanes instead.


8 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's like Arlington Road or Wisconsin Ave during most of the day -- at least one lane blocked by delivery trucks.

Andrea said...

Any word from a representative why they removed it?

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Too close to Bethesda Elementary School.

#300YardZone

Anonymous said...

Did they say why they removed them?

Anonymous said...

Any word why they took it out?

Anonymous said...

#DodgingDyer doesn't really care about the answers it seems. Just complains.

Orkin said...

Seems very annoying if picking someone up at the new 8300 Flats. Just put on the hazards and block a lane on Wisconsin ave or battery lane..

I think a lot of the new buildings will be missing any sort of driveway. Land is to valuable.