 |
Wilson Store, also
known as
Community Paint & Hardware |
Carr Properties has requested a foundation permit from Montgomery County, a first step in the relocation of the historic Wilson Store (a.k.a. Community Paint & Hardware) to a county parking lot on Middleton Lane. The building is being relocated for the second time in its history - and also for the second time, to clear the way for a
new development at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue.
Plans to move the building were revised to address concerns from residents on Middleton Lane, where the historic structure will be only feet away from an existing single-family home. The Wilson Store was built in 1890, and is the only 19th century building left in downtown Bethesda.
I'm all for history and culture but this building is meaningless.
ReplyDeleteMaybe to some people, but not to everyone.
ReplyDeleteI wish we'd been able to preserve the old Blockbuster Video store that was at the corner of Bethesda Ave & Arlington Rd.
ReplyDeleteIt could have been moved and kept as a time capsule museum celebrating the 1990s.
This building is ugly and not worth saving.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad they're keeping it. We need some tangible history.
ReplyDeleteWhat would you say is so significant about this building?
DeleteHow much will the county get for the land that's currently a parking? Probably nothing, and the county probably end up paying for relocation and maintenance too, because that's the kind of deal our shrewd negotiators usually get for the taxpayer.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it even a debate whether we should keep this building intact? It is literally the oldest building in town.
ReplyDelete2:42PM I have noticed the County government and Planning Board are terrible in negotiating good deals for residents.
Hi Charlottesville_Cav, is the age the only significant historic factor?
DeleteI believe in preserving these building. So tired over the overdevelopment going around all over Bethesda and Montgomery County in its entirety.
ReplyDeleteCan you describe your rationale for what is worth preserving with these buildings?
DeleteA building that is representative of particular era or style is often enough reason to be designated historic.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the resistance to preserving history? Rockville residents are still lamenting that their downtown was demolished decades ago. Stark, concrete brutalist buildings replaced it and many of those remain today.
The new Town Square is trying to capture some of the magic of the original downtown, but it is of course not authentic. It's amazing that we tear down our historic buildings and have to replace them with faux European artifices such as Bethesda Lane.
Cav you are probably in a very small minority that doesn't like Bethesda Lane.
DeleteYeah, I totally miss that crappy old Giant and huge parking lot that used to be where Bethesda Lane is now.
Delete{eyeroll}
I love the old pictures of Bethesda. While this building is old, it doesn't look it. My 1967 firebird looks more historic. Maybe they should stage it with some Ford model Ts.
ReplyDelete