Waverly Public Parking Garage 47 reopens in Bethesda

The Montgomery County Waverly Public Parking Garage 47 has fully reopened to the public at 7401 Waverly Street, in downtown Bethesda. A major rehabilitation project at the garage fell behind schedule over the last two years. The work included a full replacement of each concrete parking deck, as well as of the plumbing, electrical and lighting systems.

Waverly Garage rehabilitation project update (Photos)

A major rehabilitation project continues at the Montgomery County Waverly Public Parking Garage 47 at 7401 Waverly Street in downtown Bethesda. All of the concrete decks in the garage are being replaced in phases, requiring the closure of about 250 long-term parking spaces in the current phase. The plumbing, electrical and lighting systems are also being entirely replaced. 

Parking is still available in the other areas of the garage. The project is behind schedule, as it was originally to have been completed by April 2022. 

Interesting Bethesda trivia: The Waverly Garage is one of several County-owned properties that occupy the right-of-way for the canceled Northwest Freeway. It would have run parallel to Wisconsin Avenue in a trench, behind the businesses on Wisconsin, and connect Tenleytown, Georgetown and Rosslyn (via the also-canceled Three Sisters Bridge and I-66 extension) to the Capital Beltway near Elmhurst Parkway. This is why, today, you can walk faster along Wisconsin Avenue than you can drive during rush hour. Heckuva job, Brownie!

Bethesda's Waverly Garage to be converted from parking meters to pay stations

The Waverly Garage (Montgomery County Public Parking Garage 47) at 7401 Waverly Street in downtown Bethesda is getting a welcome upgrade to its payment system. On or about April 1, 2020, the garage will partially close for the installation of pay stations. The updated payment method will replace the existing parking meters.

I don't know how readers feel about the various payment methods used in different garages. My personal preference is the system where you pay when you leave the garage, because you don't have to worry about running back - or using your phone - to add time if your plans change. It is a much more convenient system, and you only have to pay for exactly the time you use, rather than maxing out the meter when you don't know how long an appointment is going to last.

Waverly Garage trivia: The garage was constructed on part of the right-of-way for the unbuilt Northwest Freeway, which was planned to run east of Wisconsin Avenue in a trench.