The construction walls around the new fountain plaza at Bethesda Row have come down, and we are getting our first close-up look at the new public gathering space. Landscaping has been installed, and you can see the accent lighting around the concrete bases. We're not likely to see the interactive fountain until next spring. Can this new plaza revive what used to be a crowded hang-out spot at the Federal Realty development?
26 comments:
Nothing to deter idiot skateboarders?
Who would be especially dangerous, that close to the busy intersection.
They still need to install the large slatted wood bench seating sections on all three elements. That will certainly make the seating more comfortable than cold and damp precast concrete. I’m not sure how well the white precast concrete fountain will hold up over time, unless they plan to drain and power wash the scummy surfaces every week.
I see the Menorah but where's the Christmas tree?
Unfortunately, the days of hanging out are long over.
I actually think they did a good job with this. I believe they will still be adding wood benches around the plaza as well.
JAC - xmas tree is down the street across from Apple Store
They need to install shade table spots to eat outside
What if they constructed a 'new fountain plaza' and nobody came?
@JAC isn't there a Christmas tree down by the Apple store? Not sure where your confusion is coming from.
That took how many years to complete? Sad ...
There should be at least some sort of low (maybe one inch high) metal dividers spaced and fastened horizontally, perhaps two or three feet apart, across the tops of the sitting areas.
That wouldn't stop people from sitting, but would give skaters, who will undoubtedly be tempted by the arrangement shown in the photos, second and third thoughts.
Sorry to hear that, 7:10. RIP. The rest of us will enjoy the space in your honor.
Like the giant Christmas tree that’s down the street from here?
It's bad enough with the smoking panhandlers.
They need to bring back Barnes and Noble like Georgetown is doing. This would make it a vibrant place to meet up again.
@JAC - The Christmas tree is in the entrance to Bethesda Lane, where it has been installed annually for the past several years.
Suze - that's great. Wildwood should take their cue. They had a Christmas tree on their roof at Wildwood shopping Center for decades and later, obviously appropriate, added a menorah as well. In recent years, both have been taken away.
9:56 - that's great but not at the fountain park it seems. Why not?
9:56 - Sure, down the street there's one. But not at this new fountain plaza yet there's a Menorah. No confusion on my part. Robert's photo clearly shows the Menorah. I'm simply wondering why no tree there as well.
Beth-esda.
So the Christmas tree not having a Menorah next to it didn't (and doesn't) bother you, but seeing a Menorah without a Christmas tree next to it is somehow inappropriate to you. JAC sure reveals a lot about his character on this website.
The Christmas tree versus Menorah issue is complicated. The Christmas tree is a symbol of a religious holiday, but not actually a religious object. The Christmas tree is not an object of worship or essential to a religious service - it serves only as a decoration, and only such outside of Germany since the 1800s. It is not even mentioned in “T’was The Night Before Christmas”. Whereas the Menorah and Nativity scenes are actual religious objects. That said, if you include one religion, you must include all.
9:22 - Well said. And as I pointed out, Wildwood Shopping Center, for years, included both Christmas tree and Menorah with the Menorah only added in later years. Probably the majority here identify as Christian. Fine. But many area residents are Jewish and the Menorah is a wonderful symbol as well. Stupid to have one not the other. And Wildwood went completely secular though they have wreaths. Ha!
Hideous
A Festivus Pole is the obvious solution: this site can serve as 'airing of grievances,' and running from car jackings and robberies can serve as 'feats of strength.'
Whatever happened those "blue only" big bulb lights decorating the firehouse on Old Georgetown Rd @ Cedar Lane? After all these years, I'm guessing that the Fire Chief was jewish and has probably been long passed away...
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