The public plaza at the Bethesda Place development is now thirty years old. Waterproofing underneath the plaza has reached the end of its life, and must be replaced. This will require tearing up the plaza. The property's ownership has decided to use the routine maintenance as an opportunity to upgrade the plaza for the benefit of tenants and the public.
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Aerial view of Bethesda Place plaza
(Google Maps) |
Connected to the skybridge over Old Georgetown Road, the Bethesda Place plaza is currently dominated by hardscaping. Bethesda Place hopes to transform it into a more park-like setting. Some wood decking will be added, as well as stone stair treads leading to Old Georgetown and Woodmont Avenue. There will be new movable furniture, lighting, trees and plantings, and metal or concrete planters.
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| Proposed tree and plantings |
The existing artwork will be returned to the site after the work is finished. Property ownership says they have located the original artist, Ned Smith, and that Smith will personally oversee the removal process of his work. Bethesda Place is located at the intersection of Old Georgetown and Woodmont, and along Commerce Lane.
One time I saw a dog rolling around in mud in the elevated garden there. Its owner was using a walker so he couldn't get to it. I had a nice chuckle knowing the dog would roll in slop until it decided it had its fill.
ReplyDeleteI believe a big driver of this plaza renovation is the construction of the new 22 story multifamily mixed use residential tower on the site of La Madeline. The developer agreed to participate in the plaza renovation, as their project has a direct connection from the second floor of the tower to the plaza, and many of the units overlook the shared space, formerly built for Discovery Channel HQ before they moved to Silver Spring.
ReplyDeleteDo you have access to an an approved site plan for the new design?
Any word on the status of the former Safeway next door? This remain a large available space in a dense urban area. Not with any great visibility, but it still seems like a great location for an urban market or entertainment venue like a Punchbowl Social. I bet they could even lower the floor and insert a multiplex cinema in that space.
Bethesda desperately needs a punch bowl social or similar venue.
DeleteSince this is apparently a privately owned public space, and tied to the neighboring buildings site plan approvals, how was the public informed about the redesign of the plaza. Was this new site plan presented to and approved by the Montgomery County Parks and Planning? Was it a public process that anyone could attend and comment?
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, I see lots of public meetings, DAP and Planning Commission meetings for large projects in downtown Bethesda that include Bethesda Overlay Zoning, but how are smaller remodeling projects approved? For example, I see no record of any approvals of the redesigned Ourisman Honda dealership, or the new Audi dealership and the Euro Motorcars on Arlington Road. What Planning review process insures that these remodeled projects meet with the master plan and are appropriate in the community? Are these approvals entirely administrative at the planning department, without any public input?
6:33-- "Underground cinema" comes to Bethesda? Cool.
ReplyDeleteWith the parking, that might make a good location for a physical rehab facility.
6:33
ReplyDeleteWhen are they breaking ground on the 7607 Old Georgetown?
I heard they will start demo in June of 2020. Soon time to get your last bowl of potato soup at La Madeleine.
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