DOWNTOWN BETHESDA PARKING NIGHTMARE JUST GOT "PARTIALLY" WORSE [PHOTOS]

LOTS DEMOLISHED,

WOODMONT SEGMENT

CLOSING... IS THIS A

GOOD TIME TO

PARTIALLY CLOSE

ST. ELMO GARAGE?

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Timing is everything, they say.  But try convincing Montgomery County of that.  I won't make you sit through another rant about how the county put developer profits ahead of the residents, by allowing private developers to close and redevelop multiple parking facilities all at once.  And without first building additional large lots or garages.

But now that all of that has happened, is this a good time to start a renovation of the crowded St. Elmo-Cordell county garage?

As it is, drivers can end up being lucky to find a spot in that garage on a busy night.  So any lost spaces are significant.

Here are some photos of the work going on in there:

BETHESDA PUBLIC PARKING LOT 8 OPENS - FINALLY!

Bethesda's newest public parking lot, Lot 8 on St. Elmo Avenue between Norfolk and Woodmont Avenues, opened Monday after months of delay by the county.

Lighting has finally been installed

Don't let word get out about the best parking in
town - it's our little secret on St. Elmo Avenue!

Thank the Monopoly Guy for free parking; meters haven't been installed, but are scheduled to be by next Monday.

No meters!  Plenty of free parking
and upscale ambiance

Free surface parking - this is what
America's all about!

There is a 2 hour time limit.  Please check all signage when parking for updated policies.

2 hour limit - don't get towed
away by The Man!

Until then, enjoy the best kept secret in downtown Bethesda parking - Lot 8!

ALL FULL

Parkmageddon is upon us!

An electronic sign on Elm Street pronounced the
Bethesda Row public parking garage full Saturday

With Lots 31 and 31A closed, as well as the Del Ray lot (recently reduced to rubble for construction of "That 70s Building" a.k.a The Gallery), parking in downtown Bethesda is more challenging than ever.

Warm weather, and the return of college students, means this is the peak season at Bethesda Row.

The result is what happens when developers become a higher priority for elected officials than taxpaying residents and business owners in Bethesda.

Certainly, some people are going to get frustrated and go elsewhere.  Will they come back after The Darcy and its ample public garage finally open?

"BETHESDA PARKERS MUST PAY MORE!!" SAYS MONTGOMERY COUNTY COUNCIL

The Montgomery County Council has concluded you still have too much spending money, and darn it if you aren't spending too much of it at Bethesda shops and restaurants!

So, once again, the council is initiating another one of what they call, "conversations."

We know what the conversation is: it's the council asking you, "What's in your wallet?"  That's all they ever do.

Yesterday, a council committee heartily endorsed the following parking fee increases for the Bethesda central business district (new cost in bold):

Long-term parking: from 75 cents to 80 cents an hour
Monthly pass: from $140 to $150
Short-term parking: from $1 to $1.25 an hour


It's outrageous.

Note that Silver Spring will continue to be subsidized by us.  Parking will continue to be cheaper in downtown Silver Spring.  So when you park and have dinner at American Tap Room at Bethesda Row, you're not only paying the full charge for yourself, but for a portion of the parking fee for the guy who's dining at Romano's Macaroni Grill in Silver Spring at the same time.  Ain't it cool?

The full council will vote on the increase this month.

They don't seem to be in touch with the current financial pressures downtown Bethesda businesses, workers, residents and visitors are under.

But then, when are they?  It's interesting that there is a claim that the county is short on revenue.  So why is the current budget proposal bigger than last year's?  If we can't afford more, why would we spend more?

Eliminate 3 parking lots, make parking more frustrating, and now make it more expensive.

Boy, that county council sure knows how to help Bethesda businesses!

THE FINAL HOURS

OF LOT 31 AND 31-A

Say goodbye forever to two downtown Bethesda and Bethesda Row landmarks! These photos were taken in the final hours before the public parking lots were closed for demolition.

EXCLUSIVE SNEAK

PREVIEW:

BETHESDA'S NEWEST

PARKING LOT

St. Elmo Avenue Public Parking Lot 8

Aims to Ease Bethesda's Parking Nightmare

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

You can't park there.

But you can take in the majesty of downtown Bethesda's newest parking lot in these super-exclusive photos.

Montgomery County's St. Elmo Avenue Public Parking Lot 8 is nearly ready to receive its first (paying) customers. The last step is to add the lighting (Capital Properties could learn a thing or two from the county in that regard!).

Lot 8 is small and tucked away off St. Elmo Avenue behind The Corner Slice. It's just past the intersection at Norfolk Avenue on your left. While most attention is on the April 1 closing of two public lots on Bethesda Avenue, Lot 8 is more directly a replacement for a just-closed surface lot in the Del Ray/Auburn Avenue area of "Old Town" Bethesda.

Lot 8 offers traditional parking spaces on the left side, and parallel spaces on the right. Meters max out at 2 hours, and, of course, disabled parkers will find a space here, too.

This is a good lot to use to visit Rock Bottom, Union Jack's, Hanaro or BlackFinn - but please limit yourself alcohol-wise if you're getting back behind the wheel!

Speaking of alcohol, Lot 8 is also perfect for a quick stop at Capital Beer and Wine, or to pick up a hot pizza pie at the aforementioned Corner Slice.

Dining-in at Annie's Bistro Francais, Chef Tony's or the Red Tomato Cafe is made easier by Lot 8, too. A 2-hour time limit is more reasonable than those 1-hour jokers you often find among Bethesda parking meters.

Lot 8 is the Revenge of Surface Parking Lots. And that's great news for Bethesda drivers. If you can snag a space.

So check out that fresh asphalt and paint! Will you be the first to park in Lot 8?