A vacant former Exxon gas station will finally get a fresh start after several failed attempts by multiple developers and landowners. Developer Greystar will hold a groundbreaking this afternoon for its approved redevelopment plan at 7340 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda. A tent has been set up on the site ahead of the event. The apartment tower will include 315,000 gross square feet of development, 300 to 308 residential units, ground floor retail, and around 158 parking spaces (.52 spaces per unit).
And the amount of bikers using that lane on Montgomery is exactly zero. I drive there every day. No turn lane onto southbound 355. They've ruined Montgomery Lane completely. That stretch will soon be a nightmare with that building going up there. Yeah, the Montgomery Lane debacle sure will add to that.
ReplyDeleteI still remember buying packs of cigarettes for $6 at that Exxon in my twenties. Crazy how long that spot has been undeveloped.
ReplyDeleteGet a hobby, JAC.
ReplyDeleteThe bike lane signals across Wisconsin are not even activated yet, so of course no bike traffic yet. The former slip lane for right turns onto Southbound Wisconsin was always a big hazard. With no right on red becoming universal in MoCo, the shared right or through lane on eastbound Montgomery makes sense. Anything we can do to discourage and slow traffic just passing “through” downtown Bethesda is a good thing, compared to enhancing downtown as a destination, with improved walkability. The sidewalk area on that corner near the future building entrance will be much wider with the slip lane gone. I suspect most construction traffic will be on Hampden Lane, shared with the Hampden House construction activity, so no impact on Montgomery.
ReplyDeleteAnyone on their bike at that locale would have had a front row view to an armed carjacking "attempt" with shots fired at the ramen restaurant owner. Think about that.
ReplyDeleteWill their be any county dignitaries attending the tent event? (Asking for a friend.)
ReplyDeleteTho I usually agree with JAC, he's a bit over the top with the 'zero use' hyperbole. We need more people on bikes and, yes, those infernal scooters and/or e bikes. The only way to do that is provide safe routes.
ReplyDelete7:55 - Another Left Wing bomb thrower offering nothing but infantile comments.
ReplyDelete8:12 - The no right on red change is not universal across the county thankfully. That's inaccurate but I get your point. A soft turn onto SB 355 was hardly a hazard. It's now a nuisance not having it.
ReplyDeleteSee, this is the problem. We keep redeveloping gas stations instead of building more. Just driving (slowly according to JAC) ourselves into some sort of progressive nightmare where we have to drive our guzzler further to feed it. I might as well get used to buying my whiskey and gas outside of MOCO. It's a darn shame.
ReplyDeleteA dedicated right turn lane on a low traffic street like Montgomery Ln never made sense. What a weird thing to cry about. Apparently the road still works just fine since you purposely drive on it "every day."
ReplyDeleteGlad they are Demolishing the Gas Station.
ReplyDeleteIt’s just got to go !
Moved here about a month ago. Noticed everything's concentrated and built around the Metro station. I've also been riding the "Bethesda Connector", pretty convenient, which runs a 'bow-tie' loop around both the north and south side of the station.
ReplyDeleteCasual human, welcome to Bethesda, one of the most transit-oriented cities in the country. A truly walkable, and dense community, where car ownership is an option, but not a mandate. The Bethesda Connector does a great job of extending access beyond the core area with over 200 restaurants and 500 shops, six high-rise hotels, six grocery stores and dozens of urban parks and plazas. Very useful for folks who can’t walk as far, and during inclement weather.
ReplyDeleteBe sure to wave to JAC as he speeds by.
12:43 - That's fine but it's really anti-car when you think about it.
ReplyDelete7:00 - Oh yes, those evil automobiles how dare they be on any road. Never speed thru anywhere. And snark isn't your best color.
ReplyDelete