It will displace several businesses that are currently tenants on the property, including Vuk and Chef Tony's. Groundbreaking had been planned for late 2016 or early 2017, so it appears there will be a slight delay (site plans usually take about 6 months from when they are first submitted).
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| View of the proposed new plaza from Fairmont Avenue |
The plaza, which will replace the existing pedestrian area at the Bainbridge, will curve and feature a clock, as well as ground-level retail on both sides. Tables, chairs and plantings will remain as amenities. A site plan amendment for the Bainbridge will be required, and that is scheduled to be discussed at the meeting, as well. Bainbridge residents who have any input about the future of their plaza may want to attend, to weigh in on the topic.
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| View of plaza from St. Elmo Avenue |
While the address for the building is currently 4931 Fairmont Avenue, the lobby and garage entrances will be on the St. Elmo side. The loading dock will be on the Fairmont side, however. In its preliminary plan, Lenkin had proposed offering 220 garage parking spaces (more than is required), and 15% affordable units, again, more than is required. We'll find out December 14 if any changes are being proposed to the plan.
Renderings courtesy Lenkin Companies
I really hope they have some sort of pedestrian covered walkway while there's construction. I have to walk on Fairmont every day. Between the Cheval and this, pedestrians will have to walk in the streets just like when the Bainbridge and that building next to it were being constructed.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the law in terms of construction building needing to produce walkable pathways in Bethesda anyway? It seems like it's up to the discretion of the building whether they need to do it.
5:26: Councilmember Berliner continues to state publicly that his law prevents extended sidewalk closures. This is simply not true, as we have seen. There indeed is a requirement to post a sign about the closure, but the sidewalks are being allowed to remain closed for years at a time. If it was an enforceable law, the sidewalks wouldn't be closed right now.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Berliner is gone after this term, Hans has one more to go.
ReplyDeleteBerliner will line his pockets as much as possible before he exits.
ReplyDelete5:56: Hopefully we can prevent that third Riemer term in 2018.
ReplyDeleteBerliner can finally retire to his place on Rockville Pike. The guy left the area and his constituents long ago.
ReplyDeleteHe does have way more energy than Reamer, so that will be missed.
#SleepyReamer
RD, you have my vote over that California phony, 5:56
ReplyDeleteWe will prevent a first Dyer term in 2018.
ReplyDelete"We." hahah
ReplyDeleteHopefully this creates a Bethesda Lane like space in the alley with restaurants, bars, and retail.
ReplyDeleteBerliner is likely to run for County Executive once he's forced out due to term limits, so watch out for that. Given his pattern of not living in the district he represents, I"m guessing he'll move to Frederick by that time.
ReplyDeleteAny update on this development? When are they slated to break ground?
ReplyDelete