MY THOUGHTS ON THE DOWNTOWN BETHESDA PLAN DOCUMENT RELEASE

The "scope of work" downtown Bethesda plan document released yesterday by the Montgomery County Planning Department contained no surprises, primarily restating familiar Census data and geographical boundaries. We're great, we're smart, we're rich, etc.

Here are my thoughts thus far:

1. Why did I not receive any emails regarding the document release, and related public meeting? I filled out a form when I attended the "kickoff" meeting a few months ago, including an email address. Of course, I knew about the document and meeting because I am actively following the process. But had I been a citizen not doing so, I would have had no idea - as of this hour - that these two items had been announced.

2. The document refers to 26 approved development projects in downtown Bethesda. What are those projects? Is there a list they can link to, and what is the criteria for terming something a "project?" I know a lot of projects are left over from the real estate bubble. But 26? 26 new residential or office buildings? That sounds a bit exaggerated. Where are they?

3. The scope of work document also provides no evidence that the Post-It notes filled out by attendees of the kickoff meeting were thus far taken into account. What I see listed under "The Plan Process" are the same things that were "allowed" to be verbally announced at the meeting, and then were parroted in most local media reports in the days afterward. If a Post-It note falls in the middle of the forest... At some point, other issues have to be addressed, such as the vanishing gas stations of downtown Bethesda.

4. I think when we are talking about public space, the number of public plazas under development has been left out of the discussion. There are several pedestrian plazas on the boards, including the just-opened plaza at the Gallery Bethesda apartments, the Bainbridge Bethesda plaza between St. Elmo and Fairmont Avenues, the Westin Bethesda hotel complex and the JBG project between Wisconsin and Woodmont Avenues. In my opinion, we need a greater focus on how the plaza at the Bethesda Metro Center was unceremoniously stripped of its use as a gathering space - including the embarrassing shutdown of the ice rink. And how that is going to be corrected. The lapse of the Metro Center plaza is one of several ways downtown Bethesda has shifted off course since the turn of the century.

Public parks, and making sure any redevelopment of the Apex Building site retains or expands the quasi-public space at the corner of Wisconsin and Elm Street outside the Regal Cinemas, and the Woodmont plaza at Bethesda Row are other major public space issues to be discussed in detail.


The schedule laid out suggests formal public input will be limited to none, before a set of recommendations are presented for public comment in the Spring. Hence my concern about the Post It notes and gas stations, among other things. The next formal opportunity for official public comment, according to the document, is the public hearing on the plan draft before the Planning Board in October 2014.

Based on the schedule, the plan will be approved or denied by the next County Council in 2015.

BRADLEY SHOPPING CENTER ADVERTISING AVAILABLE RETAIL SPACE

The former Kae Robin Gifts space at 6910 Bradley Boulevard remains vacant in the Bradley Shopping Center. Now the shopping center is advertising the 1920 square foot retail space as being available for lease.

Featuring 2 bathrooms, rear alley access, a prime downtown location, and heavy customer traffic to other popular businesses in the strip, it's surprising it has been on the market this long.

It should also be considered a contender for the second USPS post office, although I have yet to hear whether the postal real estate folks have decided just which zip code(s) they are searching in. This spot would allow surface parking by the door, but not drop boxes such as those popular at the now-demolished Arlington Road post office.

Rent could be an issue, though, as USPS real estate specialist Richard Hancock vowed he would not overpay for space earlier this year. Costs would likely be lower in the 20816 zip code.

I'm sure everyone within walking distance of the shopping center would like to see a) a nice restaurant/food shop, b) an interesting and/or useful retail store, or c) a convenient post office lease this space.

Any takers out there in the DC area?

PARVA LOUNGE BUILDING UP FOR SALE IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

The distinctive building currently occupied by The Parva lounge and restaurant is now on the market for $2,299,000. But even if it is sold, The Parva will still remain there for at least 3 more years.

With two stories and 4546 square feet of space, the restaurant property at 7904 Woodmont Avenue could eventually be a prime piece of mixed-use redevelopment property. To achieve that, however, would likely require joining the plot with the adjoining structure that holds BGR and Jetties.

The Parva still has 3 years on its lease, and they could always sign an extension after that. My guess is the next owner might be willing to give the lounge a short term lease, if no viable redevelopment project is on the table in 2016. According to the seller, the current Parva lease is at a below-market rate.

Let's hope The Parva stays, as the building and renovated interior add much of the South Beach atmosphere to the lounge. We really need more Latin American restaurants and nightspots, not less, in downtown Bethesda. The Parva is currently the only club in Bethesda that regularly offers VIP table service. BlackFinn has offered it on Thursday nights in the past, and the first establishment to provide it - Relic - went out of business.

The Parva also has a diverse menu, featuring dishes from Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina and Peru.

And it is one of the few spots around town that shows any life after midnight. In my opinion, it's a business that has a lot of potential to continue to grow.

Fortunately, there isn't likely to be any change in the near future.

ARE YOU FOLLOWING @BethesdaRow ON TWITTER?

With the first significant storm since Sandy approaching, make sure you're also following me on Twitter at @BethesdaRow to get additional updates around the clock.

Twitter has made changes to its search functions that favor users who pay them in recent months.

This has made it very difficult for me to gain new followers since then. People - most especially mobile users - are not finding my Twitter account as easily, and sometimes not even my tweets, in the search engine. For someone who has the #Bethesda hashtag in every tweet, it's very strange that people searching for Bethesda-related tweets or accounts suddenly are having trouble finding mine.

So every new follower helps! And if you can spread the word to your neighbors, or friends who come to Bethesda to work or go out at night, that's even better.

Thanks to each one of you who read this blog for your continued support.

SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION AT WISCONSIN AND MONTGOMERY IN DOWNTOWN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Heads up: the MDSHA sidewalk work continues along Wisconsin Avenue, with contractors now starting at the Montgomery Lane intersection.

Watch your step there, as I've seen many a person trip or lose their balance over the many, many months this has dragged along.

BCC RESCUE SQUAD CHRISTMAS TREE SALE 2012 - BETHESDA CHRISTMAS TREES

One of the Christmas tree lots actually in downtown Bethesda is at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad, at the corner of Battery Lane and Old Georgetown Road.

All proceeds from tree and wreath sales go to fund the squad's lifesaving operations. Get a tree, and also know that you're helping yourself and your neighbors with every dollar well spent.

Here is their price list:

Fraser Fir 9-10' $175
Fraser Fir 8-9' $116
Fraser Fir 7-8' $90
Fraser Fir 6-7' $80
Fraser Fir 5-6' $70
Fraser Fir 4-5' $50
Table Top Trees $30
Small (14") wreath $15
Medium (20") wreath $19
Large (24") wreath $23
Roping (25 ft) $20
Bows/Other $5
Firewood $7.50
Tree Stands -reg. $20
Tree Stands -XL $25

You can stop by the Squad to buy a tree between Noon and 9 PM Monday-Friday, and 9 AM to 9 PM Saturday and Sunday.