Bethesda church set for demolition, Circulator bus stop to be removed from route

The firm redeveloping the site of the Christ Lutheran Church at 8011 Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda has requested demolition permits for the building, according to notices posted at the property. Demolition fencing has also been erected. 

A 90' tall apartment building will be constructed on the site. The developer, JLB Georgetown Road, LLC, acquired the church and two adjacent Rugby Avenue properties for a whopping $20,895,350, according to Maryland real estate records. Due to the heavy construction that will be taking place there, the church's Bethesda Circulator bus stop will temporarily be removed from the free shuttle's route after Saturday, February 26, 2022.

One last look at this local landmark at
the gateway to downtown Bethesda

Services have been moved to 
Imagination Stage

Bethesda Circulator bus resumes service, route change starting June 10

The free Bethesda Circulator shuttle bus is once again traveling the streets of downtown Bethesda. It took a coronavirus pandemic hiatus this spring. Please be advised that the route of the bus will temporarily change due to the street closures for outdoor dining this summer.

Starting tomorrow, June 10, 2020, it will detour from its usual Bethesda Row routing. It will no longer travel on Woodmont Avenue and Bethesda Avenue around Bethesda Row. Instead, it will temporarily turn up Hampden Lane to Wisconsin Avenue, turn down Bradley Boulevard, and come back up Arlington Road to pass through Bethesda Row on Arlington only. The bus will then resume its normal route.

New Bethesda Circulator stops getting new signage (Photos)

It looks like new bus stop signage is coming to new Bethesda Circulator stops in downtown Bethesda. The Circulator's route was extended to a larger portion of the downtown, including these stops on Bradley Boulevard. Decorative poles that look a little fancier than the typical Ride On/Metrobus stop signs have now appeared at these stops.

Benches installed at new Bethesda Circulator stops (Photos)

New benches have been installed for the recently added (January 4) stops on the Bethesda Circulator bus route. They include stops on Woodmont Avenue and Bradley Boulevard. You'll note they have been designed to double as public art, not a new concept in downtown Bethesda.

Stop markers out for new Bethesda Circulator route (Photos)

Signs marking new stops on the new, expanded route of the Bethesda Circulator bus have been placed around the downtown area. To locate all of the Circulator stops, check the official list online.

Monday, January 4 will be the first day for the new route, which will now extend service to Battery Lane and Bradley Boulevard. The Circulator is free to use.

New hours for Bethesda Circulator July 1 (Photo)

The free Bethesda Circulator bus will have a new schedule starting on July 1. Hours will be:

Monday-Thursday: 7 AM - 11 PM

Friday: 7 AM - 12 AM

Saturday: 10 AM to 12 AM.

For more information on the Circulator and its route, visit Bethesda Urban Partnership's website.

BETHESDA CHIPOTLE CLOSED UNTIL DECEMBER 11

Chipotle in downtown Bethesda closed late Friday night for extensive kitchen renovations.  The restaurant will not reopen until 11 AM on December 11, 2012.

Many frustrated customers were arriving to find the doors locked.

If you are in that area, and want burritos for lunch during the closure, the easiest thing to do is to board the Bethesda Circulator on Woodmont Avenue.  Take it to Elm Street at Bethesda Row, walk west on Elm, and Boloco will be on your left.

Boloco has a similar menu, and you can just take another free Circulator trip back when you're done (or with your carry-out bag).

E.L. JAMES BOOK SIGNING WILL TURN BETHESDA ROW FIFTY SHADES OF GREY TONIGHT

Provocative, bestselling author E.L. James, whose Fifty Shades of Grey hit #1 on the New York Times list, is coming to Bethesda Row in-person tonight.

James will sign that book at the Bethesda Row Barnes and Noble at 7:00 PM tonight, May 4.  In  addition, she will be signing special, collectible cards for customers who buy NOOK Book versions of Grey, or the Fifty Shades Trilogy bundle.

James is drawing massive crowds at appearances like this.  So please give yourself extra time to find a parking space.  The two lots right across from the bookstore were recently closed.  In short, parking is going to be tight!

I recommend using this helpful Bethesda Row parking guide.  There's even a map you can print out, that shows all of the places you can park.  And the free Bethesda Circulator bus can whisk you to Barnes and Noble from most of them.

But wait, there's more!

The book signing isn't the end of the night for Fifty Shades of Grey fans!  At least two restaurants have been inspired by this E.L. James appearance to create signature cocktails - for one night only!

Bring your copy of Fifty Shades of Grey to Redwood on Bethesda Lane afterward, present it to your server or bartender, and you will get a Grey Goose Martini for only $8!

Then head around the block to Mussel Bar on Woodmont Avenue, and behold the Miss Steele Martini!  That one will be $7.

Expect this to be a standing-room-only event.  Try to get there as early as you can.  And relax afterward with a special drink.

A great start to the weekend for E.L. James fans in the DC area.

Barnes and Noble, 4801 Bethesda Avenue, Bethesda. 301-986-1761.

BETHESDA CENTRAL

FARM MARKET IS

MOVING APRIL 1

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

Big news! On Sunday, April 1, Bethesda Central Farm Market is moving from its current Elm Street parking lot location, to the Bethesda Elementary School parking lot on Arlington Road.

Obviously, if you live right around Bethesda Row, this is less convenient to walk. However, you can take the Bethesda Circulator up that way.

There are a lot of positives, though. Those who drive will find it much easier to park right in the Bethesda ES lot.

Secondly, true to its name, the market will now be centrally located in Bethesda. That will place it within (various degrees of) walking distance from all residential buildings in Bethesda.

Finally, there is plenty of space at Bethesda ES for entertainment and more vendors, as there is sure to be an increase in both, as the BCFM continues to grow in popularity.

Do you think this is a good change? Comment below to let Bethesda know what your opinion is.

And be sure to visit the market this Sunday, at the usual Elm St. location!