Not long after the Woodmont Avenue block designated as a Bethesda Streatery reopened to traffic after a two-year closure, water utility WSSC is proposing to close the next two blocks for as long as five months. The WSSC needs to replace an aging 60" large valve vault in that area of downtown Bethesda. It has settled on a construction option that will require the closure of Woodmont between Bethesda Avenue and Wisconsin Avenue (MD 355) for 16 to 22 weeks, and subject nearby residents to water outages of up to 8 hours at a time. Needless to say, residents are not thrilled by this, and have created a petition asking the WSSC to reconsider the possible options for the project.
Top concerns for residents are lack of access for fire and rescue vehicles, impact on deliveries, possible violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and unsanitary conditions during extended water outages. It should also be noted that there is an ingress/egress for the Capital Crescent Trail public parking garage on one of those blocks. Should a fire or other emergency occur near the remaining access point, people and their cars could be trapped in the garage. Most of the impacted residents live in the apartment and condo buildings along Woodmont.
The concerns are amplified by the fact that many people work from home these days. There is also the unique configuration of The Darcy and Flats at Bethesda Avenue properties, which are connected to the very deep underground CCT parking garage. The petition mentions potential impacts on building stability, and that would probably extend to the garage, as well. 69 residents have signed the petition as of this morning.
And what alternatives are the residents offering? Let the aging pipe simply fail? Then they'll have far worse problems than the ones they're concerned about.
ReplyDeleteI understand that they are proposing to close this section of Woodmont, but where exactly is the valve located? I certainly can’t be under the new five level parking garage under the Darcy and the Flats.
ReplyDeleteAs a second question, exactly when will Silver be required to remove their “temporary” outdoor dining in the street, like every other restaurant has done in the city? I am getting sick and tired of looking at these ad hoc white tents and orange barrels. Why does Silver get to keep using this area of the public realm. They have a nice wide outdoor seating area that extends along their long sidewalk.
I found some info on the WSSC site. The valve to be replaced is located in the center of Woodmont just in front of the entrance to the loading dock and parking deck for the Solaire Apartment building. Woodmont Avenue would be closed at Wisconsin, allowing only local traffic south of Bethesda Avenue, but loading dock access and parking deck access will be maintained to the Solaire. Strathmore Street will temporarily be changed to turn left onto Woodmont. County parking deck access will be maintained under the Darcy and Flats, with no changes other than no ingress and egress to and from Wisconsin Avenue via Woodmont Avenue. Fire truck access to all building will remain, but not from Wisconsin onto Woodmont. Miller Avenue will remain open, as will the public alley behind the Adagio and the new 7000 Wisconsin apartment building currently under construction for access to their parking decks.
ReplyDeleteConstruction will take place in the summer of 2024. They need to build an underground concrete vault about the size of a two car garage, then install a massive 27,000 pound valve.
Of course, should that 60" main fail, as so many WSSC pipes do in winter, the residents will be up the creek, so to speak. It's not to say the local complaints aren't justified, but it is also not unreasonable that, if things are bad enough for WSSC to come out and say, "This pipe needs replacing," there may be some reason to pay heed.
ReplyDeleteNiMBY, hey, what happened to my water?
ReplyDeleteNimby, why is there 6’ of water in my basement?
ReplyDelete