Drop-off driveway removed at 2 Bethesda Metro Center, new sign installed (Photos)

A renovation project along the North Lane side of the Newlands Building, a.k.a. 2 Bethesda Metro Center, appears to be nearing completion. One major subtraction was something rapidly becoming a throwback novelty in downtown Bethesda: a drop-off driveway. A minor addition is a new sign sporting the name of the building, which is located at North Lane and Woodmont Avenue.

I happened to just be reading a discussion on Facebook regarding the Bethesda Downtown sector plan currently up for approval. Several participants were lamenting the lack of drop-off lanes or driveways at new residential buildings downtown. It was noted that such driveways were even included in some new projects, but ended up being deleted, such as at the Flats at 8300 site.

Here is a driveway that actually existed, which has now been removed. I know that minor landscaping was to be part of this renovation. Let's hope something nice is planned for this large, new area at one of the top buildings in downtown Bethesda. Otherwise, they've simply traded a useful driveway for a sea of concrete between the street and the building. Hardly an improvement, and likely to increase traffic issues around the property as visitors, and valets attempt drop-offs and deliveries in active traffic lanes instead.