Mixed messages at soon-to-close Bethesda parking lot

Drivers may get a mild case of mental whiplash while reading the signs at the Montgomery County-operated Public Parking Lot 43 at 8009 Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda. As I have previously reported, the lot will be closing permanently this Friday, June 9, 2023. It is one of several properties being combined for the future Artena Bethesda apartment building. But it looks like whoever placed the signs at each parking facility downtown noting that the County will start charging for Saturday parking on July 8 was not aware of the impending closure.

BETHESDA PUBLIC PARKING LOT 43 TO BE SOLD TO DEVELOPER

Just as downtown Bethesda's parking nightmare has reached its worst, Montgomery County Government is selling yet another public parking lot to a private developer.

Parking Lot 43, at 8009 Woodmont Avenue, will be sold to developer JBG and will be part of a development that will include the new Bethesda police station.

The new police station is desperately needed, but one wishes the county could have staggered the closures of so many of downtown Bethesda's parking facilities.  Instead, they've sold them off to developers in one real estate land rush.

Much like Lot 31 and 31A, some parking may come with the new development, but what are downtown businesses and their patrons to do in the meantime?