Additional seating has been added to the outdoor dining space on Woodmont Avenue by Bethesda Row known as the Bethesda Streetery. The new options are colorful, if not necessarily comfortable, with hard wood bench-style seating. By the way, Woodmont Avenue is starting to look a bit worse for wear in the pandemic, with its rapidly-fading yellow center lines.
Were these benches paid for and installed by Federal Realty, the developer of Bethesda Row; or by the Bethesda Urban Partnership? Are they present on Norfolk as well? On some days they install a nice big truck selling plants and fresh flowers in front of Anthropologie. I’m surprised there haven’t been any food trucks or mobile ice cream trucks. Not usually a big crowd, except for evenings and weekends around meal times.
ReplyDeleteGood! Let's keep it closed forever. I think this and the Norfolk Streetery are brilliant ideas and should have been done long ago. This town is supposed to be a walker's paradise in all the marketing and realty language. About time they lived up to the promise.
ReplyDeleteNow... Will any restuarants survive to benefit from this?
Also, what are the rules about restuarants claiming street space for their own? A problem with Woodmont is that places like Mussel Bar say you can't sit at any of their roped off areas unless you're a customer. But... Woodmont is a public thoroughfare, no? They can't tell us where to sit.
Finally putting bike lanes to good use....
ReplyDelete@12:26 PM Dear Curmudgeon; Analyzing your comment by the attitude you present, it appears that nothing, regardless how convenient or beneficial, would meet your picky preferences. B-town is quite a walkable town, however, the paved streets are not considered as part of the general path, sorry, these areas are four wheeled vehicles. I would guess you own or use these on many occasions.
ReplyDeleteSecond, It will be determined once we've successfully navigated the pandemic, which restaurants are able to survive. The hope is that efforts such as these, and continued patronage will offer a needed assist.
Finally, restaurants along the avenue, particularly along the adjoining sidewalks, are permitted to rope of this space and provide their seating. This practice has been allowed for years as a part of sidewalk dining culture, and is a part of the county permitting process. Apparently you lack any of the culture necessary to function in the public realm. I would suggest you limit your dining options to home cooking, take-out, or delivery. BTW, you are requested to give a tip to each of the last two options. Bon appetit.
Hi. Do you know who designed the new seating? Are the benches and the stalls all by the same firm or person? Thanks.
ReplyDelete