Vandals have once again smashed their way into a vacant surplus store at the 8008 Wisconsin Avenue property where a redevelopment plan has stalled for several years. An entire glass panel had been shattered away as of yesterday morning. There appears to be an uncovered shaft that disappears into the floor just inside the window, presenting a danger to any trespassing children or urbex explorers who might be tempted to go inside. The store and adjacent properties continue to be one of the major eyesores created by stalled development downtown.
Too bad the county does not have any regulations and enforcement on how vacant buildings and storefronts should be secured.
ReplyDeleteAnother complaint I have is how temporary “now leasing apartments available” signs have become a permanent feature on many buildings. Most communities allow temporary signage after a building opens, but MoCo seems to allow these massive banners to remain in place forever, and are often much larger than the so called permanent building signage.
"...created by stalled development downtown."
ReplyDeleteYour first sentence gets it right, your last sentence gets it wrong.
Given that there are four major projects - former Christ Lutheran Church, Auburn Avenue, St. Elmo Avenue, former La Madeleine - under construction within less than half a mile radius, this should be "a stalled development". Development certainly isn't stalled overall in downtown Bethesda.
The land owner/developer should be forced to tear down these vacant structures.
ReplyDeleteCurious as to when that store closed (my guess was 10 years ago), I found this from February 2014:
ReplyDeletehttps://patch.com/maryland/northpotomac/ranger-surplus-store-in-bethesda-closed-northpotomac
Per that article (quoting Robert :-)
"...The Wisconsin Avenue property is now in the hands of Douglas Development, says Washington Business Journal blogger Robert Dyer.
Douglas plans to redevelop the entire Bethesda block where Ranger and other businesses called home, the Business Journal says..."
I purchased my very first Buck knife model #110 there BITD... and currently carrying it on my person in this dangerous town. If only that poor delivery driver in front of that hot dog place would have pulled one out on those thugs!
ReplyDeleteBought same knife from that Sunny's probably about the same time! I remember I had to save up 14 bucks for it!
DeleteWow..a decade later and a block of empty buildings remain. Same thing with the empty lot on the former Steamers site.
ReplyDeleteHopefully other developers don't add to the blight by prematurely closing businesses.
When one really looks at Bethesda, it's fairly large and run down, with just two small lobes of upscale activity. Most of Wisconsin Ave is pretty decrepit north of about Avondale on one side and up around Battery Lane it's very run down. River Road is indistinguishable from, say, PG County.
Delete6:17 - Bully for you. What do you want a medal for your good deed, or are you lobbying for an AR something or other? Kids like your should not be carrying weapons.
ReplyDeleteIf you are fantasizing about using your weapon to defend others, then you are part of the problem. Please stop.
ReplyDeleteScenario anticipation is the first step to practice and preparation. Luck favors those prepared.
DeleteWho do you want for a neighbor? Or maybe the perps will first go to house with the 'no guns' signs.
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