Developer JBG Smith has hoped to acquire Reed Street to create a narrow public space alongside its future 4747 Bethesda Avenue development. Montgomery County would have to abandon the Reed Street right-of-way to allow this, in a spot where ambitious public plaza aspirations and Purple Line tail track infrastructure may conflict with JBG's plan. Now, County planners are recommending the Planning Board deny the County's request to abandon the street.
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Reed Street right-of-way
is in blue |
JBG Smith had previously sought abandonment of Reed Street in 2007, and it was granted. However, planners say JBG failed to record the plat within the required five-year period, and the abandonment was revoked by the County. Since then, the County signed an agreement for the Purple Line that includes the Reed Street right-of-way.
In addition, the County Council recently passed the Bethesda Downtown master plan, which recommends the underused plaza there be revitalized into "a major central gathering space." And Reed Street also carries the Capital Crescent Trail. For all of these reasons, planning staff is recommending denial of the abandonment, arguing the right-of-way will be needed for all of these public uses. The Board will take up the matter at its October 12 meeting next Thursday.
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Old map showing Reed Street
(in yellow) within the
CSX railroad right-of-way
(now the Capital Crescent Trail) |
What's really going on here: This is another marker being placed down for the "secret" plan to extend the Purple Line to Westbard and Sumner Place in the future. Tail tracks for the Purple Line will not run all the way out alongside JBG's two-story retail building. The "Capital Crescent Trail" right-of-way, which the staff report notes extends to Georgetown, is also the future Purple Line right-of-way, as Chevy Chase residents and Georgetown Branch Trail users have discovered. But Montgomery County's plan for Ourisman Honda is at cross purposes with this Purple Line extension, as there will not be enough room for two tracks and the CCT between the dealership's garage and the Flats at Bethesda Avenue apartment complex.
