The Norfolk Avenue Streetery's barricades and outdoor dining seating were removed yesterday in Bethesda's Woodmont Triangle, and that segment of Norfolk was reopened to vehicular traffic. Metered street parking has also resumed on both sides of the roadway. Bethesda Urban Partnership says that the Streetery has been taken away for the winter, and will return in the spring of 2024. In previous winters since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Streetery remained in place with heated tent structures. Plans for a permanent Streetery to be constructed in the future have been discussed, but for now, all of Norfolk Avenue is open to cars.
So stupid. Absolutely no reason why cars need to be on that one block. No reason at all.
ReplyDeletethat's a shame, was nice to have a space not devoted to cars, I understand usage drops in the winter but makes it just another street with people parked anywhere that suits them and nowhere to sit and relax.
ReplyDeleteI, for one, applaud this! Getting to Old Georgetown Road and to Wilson Lane has been challenging lately due to the construction of the apartment building on Cordell. Cordell is constantly having traffic stopped by the flag men, which causes a backup all the way to Woodmont, and there hasn't been a good way around it. Now with Norfolk Avenue reopened, traffic should flow more smoothly, and the restaurants on that block will do just fine.
ReplyDeleteAre you serious? This is great news. About time someone realized that having the streets blocked for outdoor dining when it's 30° outside was a dumb idea. Return in Spring? Also not a good idea. Let's hope not.
ReplyDelete5:27 - Yeah, the fact that it's actually a street designed to carry vehicular traffic is such a dumb reason to have cars there.
ReplyDelete5:54 - You're not alone in applauding this for sure. Yes, as you indicated, it is beyond difficult to get around with all the construction. How many projects are going on at the same time? I have a dozen probably.
ReplyDeleteI am typically not a fan of closing streets but I actually really like the streatery concept so I am glad to see it will return in the Spring. They should really just install the retractable street bollards and leave them down during the week to allow for traffic flow and then bring them back up Friday - Sunday when folks are out and about and less cars. They should do the same on Woodmont Ave between Elm and Bethesda Ave. Everyone wins.
ReplyDeleteThey should really just install the retractable street bollards and leave them down during the "week to allow for traffic flow and then bring them back up Friday - Sunday when folks are out " That will never happen because it is a compromise - and our current 'leaders' have a "my way or the highway" mentality. Good idea.
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