From Jon Weintraub of the Bethesda Civic Association:
We need to maintain the open epicenter of downtown Bethesda with the green space and its air, and light that we have opposite Gifford’s and the movie theater between Thyme Square and Mon Ami Gabi. We cannot support the cavernous linear park in this proposal. Let me be more specific:
- The County is NOT getting enough by giving up Reed Street. This is a very bad deal for the County and its citizens in downtown Bethesda!
- The staff report overestimates nearby green space and open space. Most of this reported space is NOT in the epicenter of our downtown where residents and visitors congregate. For example, no one knows what the “Discovery Trail” open space is or whether it meets a need. Let’s meet in front of Barnes and Noble and ask people if they know what the “Discovery Trail” is. If we bet an ice cream cone on this, I would reach a year’s worth before you would get a half a dozen. [emphasis mine]
- The design of this building and its 132 foot bar greatly limits the exposure of sunlight to the remaining open space. There are alternatives that must be explored before the county approves this design and gives up Reed Street.
- The citizens of downtown Bethesda do not need another “hardscape.” We have a big area of concrete in front of the metro. We do not need a 75 foot wide paved landscape. What we do need is to maximize this space for a “green public commons”, a true gathering space for our kids and grandchildren, as suggested by County Councilman Berliner.
The staff report states that the “project provides a series of open spaces that are both functional and attractive” and that the proposal “will create a new public plaza in this important area of Bethesda that will serve as an attractive community gathering place…” In contrast, my concern and one shared by many in the community, is that added to several major development projects that have already been approved, this project will inevitably result in pervasive overcrowding while also eliminating the last piece of truly open space in this critical gathering place in downtown Bethesda.
Numerous other people testified on the project. The great range of area from which supporters of a park is a testament to the importance of preserving this open space. I'm grateful and thank them all, including:
Pat Baptiste & Wayne Phyillaier of the Coalition for the Capital Crescent Trail.
Richard Battaglia.
Pam Browning of the Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Coalition.
Pat Burda of the Town of Chevy Chase's Long-Range Planning Committee.
Ara Casey of the Ayrlawn Citizens Association.
Matt Chalfant.
James Crilley of The Hamlet.
Lee Eiden.
Ilaya Hopkins of the East Bethesda Citizens Association.
Jim Humphrey of the Montgomery County Civic Federation.
Zoie Jennings-Aguil.
Penina Maya.
Patrick Mazuzan of Oakmont.
Donald McCubbin of Take Back Bethesda.
Judith McGuire.
Maureen Jais-Mick of the Edgemoor Citizens Association.
Linda Miler.
Stephen Seidel.
Naomi Spinrad of the Chevy Chase West Citizens Association.
Deborah Vollmer.
Jon Weintraub & Linda Skalet of the Bethesda Civic Association.
Mier Wolf, Councilman and Former Mayor of the Town of Chevy Chase.
And, of course, Councilmen Roger Berliner and Marc Elrich who spoke out against the preliminary plan in advance of the Planning Board hearing.
