Attorney for the Developer Replies

Hoisted from the comments, here are the thoughts of Bob Harris, the attorney for the developer, on the proposed building for Bethesda Metro Center:

4 BETHESDA METRO CENTER will be the epitome of smart growth with its location right at the Metro in the heart of Bethesda.

This landmark building is being proposed in place of the old and dysfunctional 3 story food court building. The Meridian Group owns the food court, the office building behind the food court, The Hyatt Regency Hotel and the parking garage.

Meridian Group’s proposed 4 Bethesda Metro Center will reactivate the plaza area by including plaza-facing restaurants at its base and by renovating the public area. In addition, Meridian Group is spending $2 million to improve the bus transfer station below the plaza.

In calculating the density for the building, the developer followed gross tract area provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and approved by the County in 1989. This calculation allows for the inclusion of road rights-of-way attributable to the property when determining FAR. There are many other development projects in Bethesda and around Montgomery County that relied on and used this calculation in determining the density of buildings.

On May 29, 2008, the staff of the Montgomery County Planning Board recognized in their staff report that Meridian calculated density precisely as defined in the zoning ordinance. The report saluted the proposed project for its Metro-centric location, noting its reliance on mass transit for its future office workers.

Key Points and Merits of the Proposed Development
•One of the busiest Metro stations on the Red Line, also served by 14 Metro bus and Ride-On Routes
•Served by miles of sidewalks and bikeways connecting to the office buildings and the Metro
•Within 10 minute walk of many neighborhoods
•Extremely strong demand in downtown Bethesda for office space close to Metro
•Meridian Group will contribute $2 million to improve uninviting bus transfer station
•Developer will also make a significant investment to enhance the street-level plaza with new landscaping, public art, water features and an outdoor movie stage. The developer will include a program for community events including movies on the lawn for the entire community etc.
•Proposed building will be built on footprint of existing food court
•Does not include any new impervious areas
•Building will be built with a LEED Silver designation
•Enables major Bethesda employer to remain in Bethesda
•The new development is no taller than surrounding buildings
•Opportunity for new restaurants facing the plaza
•No new public infrastructure investment
•Major tax benefits to county and state
•Economic return to Metro to support its operations
•Endorsed by Metro, Washington Smart Growth Alliance, Maryland Department of Transportation, Coalition for Smarter Growth, Sierra Club, Action Committee for Transit, Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, and various bicycle organizations and local businesses.