A number of readers have been asking about the promised return of the Norfolk Avenue Bethesda Streetery in the spring of 2024. It appears the Streetery will return in a limited fashion for the late spring and summer seasons. Norfolk Avenue will close at St. Elmo Avenue on Fridays only during the Friday night Summer Concert Series events beginning on May 17, and ending on September 20. It's not clear yet whether the closure will terminate at Cordell Avenue, or at Del Ray Avenue, but the closures reportedly will begin each Friday during the concert season at 1:00 PM, and end at 10:00 PM Friday night.
The Streetery and the Summer Concert Series are both organized by the Bethesda Urban Partnership. Bethesda UP is continuing to pursue an effort to convert part of Norfolk Avenue into a permanent shared street. That concept was recommended in the 2017 Bethesda Downtown master plan. The Streetery was first established during the pandemic in 2020, and features seating areas for outdoor dining from nearby restaurants.
The tables in the middle of the Norfolk Avenue were not that well utilized from when I was there. It feels too exposed. I don't see what is gained by closing Norfolk Avenue again. Sidewalk seating adjoining the restaurants are more popular. Learning
ReplyDeleteWe need the cops to officially stay out of it while we gently but firmly encourage the homeless psychos, predators and pedos to leave.
ReplyDeleteI can deal with that! Way better set up than when they had it at Veterans Park.
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking the other day how nice it's been driving thru there without having to navigate the roads being blocked off. Not a big deal if just on Fridays during the season. Can't argue with that.
ReplyDeleteIF it's only Friday, that's fine. My friend owns a business on Norfolk and the streetery kills it due to parking.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people liked Streetery. During summer it was nice to sit down and drink a beer that doesn't cost you 10 bucks. And the parking spots are just a few, plus I don't think that driving around a very short road was a big deal - learn how to walk, it's good for health...
ReplyDeleteI am very sad that the Streetery is not returning full time. It was a wonderful community space that brought a lot of people together. My family often went in the evenings on weeknights. We loved being able to find affordable food and sit outside while the kids could play safely. I am grateful the concert series is returning to Norfolk Ave, but really miss the weeknight Streetery option.
ReplyDelete8:36 - The streetery (made up word) was not a bad idea at all during the draconian Covid lockdowns which we now know were unnecessary. But the fact that they stayed in place for as long as they did, hurt the businesses badly that were in that corridor. They were never meant to be permanent and should never return. Streets need to be streets not parks. Having a weekly concert during the warmer weather is fine. Thank Bethesda Urban Partnership for listening to their business partners and supporters in the downtown district for opening the streets again as they should be.
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