Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Norfolk Avenue Streetery in Bethesda adds new seating options (Photos)


New seating has been added to the Norfolk Avenue Streetery in Bethesda's Woodmont Triangle. Round orange chairs have been paired with small, circular tables sized more for drinks, appetizers or a sandwich than a smorgasboard meal. New benches with different paint schemes have also been mixed in. It's interesting that these orange chairs and tiny tables were depicted in renderings shown at a March 2023 meeting on options for the permanent Norfolk Avenue Streetery area between St. Elmo and Del Ray Avenues that is currently being studied; a preferred alternative for that permanent closure is scheduled to be announced by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation later this year.





17 comments:

Know the rules said...

Who will wash down or clean these chairs, benches, and tables? By the end of the day they will certainly be dirty, sticky, and slimy, plus bird poop and road grime. Come on.

Anonymous said...

Bethesda Urban partnership will, it's part of their remit

Anonymous said...

Gentle reminder also to those sitting to eat at one of the long tables: unhoused folks use those tables as beds.

Anonymous said...

What are you getting at? They shouldn’t sit there to eat?

Anonymous said...

I guess this is your first time ever hearing about outdoor seating? It’s not a new concept.

Anonymous said...

Gentle reminder also to those who use air: unhoused people use that air to breath. Total eww.

Anonymous said...

Are you KJP's writer?

shanel said...

Since you asked, my friends and I always wipe public tables/chairs down before using them. They make these sanitizing napkins like you might see going into Harris Teeter by their carts. It's not that big a deal for the opportunity to sit outside enjoying the day/evening.

Anonymous said...

Making it more comfortable for the homeless that like to hang out there all day long now.

Bethesda never had this many unhoused just hanging out all day long panhandling, get rid of the streetery and maybe they'll go away. Between the homeless hanging out all day and the smash and grab at the glass store it's a miracle more stores and restaurants haven't been broken into.

Anonymous said...

Omg, a homeless person might also be able to sit down. This is the worst thing that could have happened to Bethesda.

Anonymous said...

Think maybe the Porta potties strategically popping up might be facilitating it? DC does it too, two at the Jenifer escalators with a handwriting and paper towel litter machine too!

shanel said...

You're scared of walking by somebody with nothing just living their best life on the street. You don't want them around. Stop providing bathrooms and a hard plastic bench for them. We need more security/police. Next thing you know, Texas/Florida will be dropping them off. Where will we be then.

I'm not sure. Let's try giving them a bench and a potty. Let's give it a whirl. We can help. Let's try.

Anonymous said...

Hey Shannel, Ask NYC and LA how that's working out.

BTW, TX & FL are not sanctuary states while DC, NY & CA are.

Anonymous said...

If many can't even pull up their pants, who wants them sleeping on where you eat and support?

shanel said...

Hey 1131. I know that it's looking ugly to some in NYC and LA, but it's still possible to live a good life either place just like Bethesda. You eager to move somewhere
everybody has a gun ready to shoot you while they're shooting at somebody else for stealing a jug of Tide. No thanks. I don't want to be collateral damage.

Anonymous said...

Rose colored glasses won't help you when the politicians who run these areas release repeat offenders who could care less about gun laws and know there are zero consequences for bad behavior. Simply saying you don't want any part of it ignores factual data like DC violent crime per capita, (highest in the nation if you look at DC as a state but slightly less as a city).

Voting for the next democrat in Rockville or Annapolis just brings more of the same.

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, more victims will prove we are correct. It's just a matter of time, it's almost too late.