The demolition of the Apex Building is either about to begin in earnest, or pedestrians are losing use of the western sidewalk along Wisconsin Avenue even earlier than expected. Demolition fencing and barricades have been extended around the building, and out into the rightmost lane of Wisconsin, between Elm Street and 7200 Wisconsin Avenue. The sidewalk is closed, and signs on the other side of Wisconsin (MD 355) warn pedestrians not to cross the street.
This sidewalk will almost certainly be closed for the duration of the construction of the new building that will replace the Apex. There is the possibility that they will provide a covered pedestrian walkway alongside the construction site, as they did at the Solaire Bethesda site at 7100 Wisconsin. However, Montgomery County either cannot, or will not, evenly enforce the law against sidewalk closures passed a decade ago by the County Council. In fact, the vast majority of construction sites still close one or more sidewalks throughout construction.
OMG THIS IS GOING TO ADD ONE HOUR TO MY COMMUTE!!!
ReplyDeletecan the country enforce on a state road?
ReplyDelete6:19: Fairmont Avenue isn't a state road. That's just one of the many County roads where MoCo hasn't enforced the sidewalk closure rules - for multiple projects.
ReplyDeleteI feel bad for all of those who take 355 south in the afternoon drive to home....
ReplyDeleteAt least our local beat reporter doesn't have to worry about traffic!
ReplyDeleteThe best part of the sidewalk closures is that they last well after exterior construction is complete, so the developers have a place to store their equipment and materials while they work on the interior.
ReplyDeleteHello Ken!
ReplyDelete