A contractor for developer JBG Smith plans to demolish the external "courtyard" in front of Artery Plaza at 7200 Wisconsin Avenue at night. This is part of an ongoing project to update the property, and attract new tenants. If successful, part of the area in front of the building could again be an outdoor dining patio, as it was for a now-shuttered restaurant in the past.
The demolition is scheduled to begin on June 20. Nighttime work will take place Sunday through Thursday nights from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Residents of The Seasons are likely to be those most-directly impacted by the noise, along with those in The Darcy.
One of the ill-thought out consequences of mixed use is this drive for night time construction. It never end either because once one project ends another one begins.
ReplyDeleteBad for quality of life. Isn't that the idea behind the new urbanization. Learning
I am glad they are finally about to upgrade the plaza at this corner. The overgrown pergola is nice and shady, but really blocks views of the building entrance. I have seen their proposed plans, and it looks like they are adding some nice terraces areas, with more seating options to attract a restaurant or two.
ReplyDeleteOf course the big change will be a new protected two-way bike lane on the north side of Bethesda and separate bike and pedestrian crosswalks at Wisconsin. At this location and diagonally across the intersection of Bethesda and Woodmont, the dedicated, green stripped bike lane will even have pole mounted traffic signals directing bike riders to cross when all vehicular traffic is stopped at the intersection. This type of bike traffic signage is used extensively in Holland and Denmark to control bike/vehicular intersections. It will be interesting to see if local bike riders actually obey these illuminated green, amber and red signals with bike graphics, or just follow their own rules of the road...
This dedicated and protected two-way bike lane is the surface level alternated for the Capital Crescent Bike Trail, and will connect the CCT next to Ourisman with a new trail adjacent to Elm Street Park, and eventually to the new trail that will be built adjacent to the Purple Line.
The temporary walking path between the Flats and Ourisman is a real disaster. Bikers often illegally ride right through the narrow, pedestrian only passage, instead of using the temporary detour around the south side of the Flats, and along Woodmont Avenue. This is a real accident waiting to happen. Signage is not very clear, but most bikers just disregard it anyway, and stream through the 5’ wide path. If you are a pedestrian, I suggest you avoid this path if at all possible, until the Ourisman work is completed at the end of summer.
"now-shuttered restaurant in the past.", come on, Montgomery's Grille (R.I.P.) has been closed for over fifteen years now. Are you afraid to name the establishment. This was a very nice establishment during its heyday. The patio served the restaurant well and acted as a form of advertisement for the restaurant as well. I think it's a shame the patio and pergo will be altered, but grateful that it must be kept as part of the public space requirement for the building.
ReplyDeleteMontgomery's Grille was a real nightlife hotspot back in the day. I remember going there in my 20s on Thursday nights in the summer, and everyone would be out on that patio having drinks. Picked up my share of hotties back in the day. Kind of like Georgetown Waterfront vibe, but in Bethesda.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm old, married, and boring....
K-man
ReplyDeleteMontgomery's had a pretty good beer selection before that became common. Had a big space for office gatherings too! Ah, the old days....
ReplyDelete