Seating for the new Capital Crescent Trail plaza by Ourisman Honda in downtown Bethesda has arrived. The dealership is providing the plaza in exchange for having built into public rights-of-way along the trail with its new garage. The seating is unique in design, both for the X-configuration of some of the benches, and the fact that they do not appear to be "homeless-proof" in contrast to other public seating in downtown Bethesda.
"The seating is unique in design...for...the fact that they do not appear to be "homeless-proof" in contrast to other public seating in downtown Bethesda."
ReplyDeleteDid you test it, Robbie?
Unlike a public bench on a public street or in a public park, since this is a privately owned public space, I would think Ourisman would have the right (and inclination) to keep this area free of overnight lounging and ad-hoc tents. I believe even buskers would need permission from Ourisman to play an instrument for tips, or for protestors to hold a rally.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a real sin that Ourisman got away with violating the agreed upon structure to begin with. On Wayne Ave in Silver Spring a builder violated their agreed upon height, and was not allowed to open the building. It was hung up for years. Eventually they sold it and the new owners removed the top floor or two and opened it. Something like that is what should have happened to Ourisman. This tells businesses and developers their agreed-upon plans are meaningless. Violating them may cost a bit but the bigger profit makes it worthwhile. Am I missing something here?
ReplyDeleteMontgomery County is a sh***hole caused by liberal politicians , illegals filling up schools, MS13 committing crimes and gangstas rising the metro from Montgomery village and capital to rape pillage and burglarize
ReplyDeleteLet liberals run your state and this is what you get
Liberals will not replace Dyer
Delete@8:38AM: Diane Jones didn't even get Ourisman to deed the land over to the county?
ReplyDeleteThis is not inspiring. Diane Jones promoted the designer, Trini Rodriguez, heavily when she was advocating this resolution, but I have a hard time seeing what the big deal was. I would never hire Trini Rodriguez based on this design.
Not sure about the deed, but the unique benches make me believe that this a privately owned space, but allows public access, not unlike the new plaza being rebuilt at 7200 Wisconsin. Ourisman is likely required to maintain this space.
ReplyDeleteNot sure about the design, but I will at least wait until it completed until passing judgement.
I do like the added open space, especially near this busy area, with lots of bikes and pedestrians. I believe that according to the approved plans, they are still installing “interpretive” CCT signage and elaborate painted lane graphics.
What does everybody think of the pleated light blue scrim and bird graphics. Too me it feels a bit like a temporary circus tent, and wonder how well this will age.
Ourisman still owns the land now used for this “public plaza”. After 95 years as a public plaza, the land will revert to Ourisman’s own use.
ReplyDeletehttps://montgomeryplanningboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Ourisman-Honda-at-CCT-Mandatory-Referral-staff-report-7-20-2017.pdf
http://montgomerycountymd.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=169&event_id=7619&meta_id=149670
Should Ourisman have been required to hand over the land to the County? The offense was building ten feet more than allowed across this section of the trail. Pretty significant, you might think.
The Planning Dept never noticed this infringement, and nothing would have happened if a citizen hadn’t filed a complaint.
They're nice benches but unless they put some hardware on them to discourage skaters, these are going to get destroyed. There are a lot of little asshole skaters around here that will grind those benches into oblivion.
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ReplyDeleteabout time. Took forever to do this while the rest of the building was done.
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