Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Stop Feeding the Dumpster Animals!

 

someone has been strewing vegetables and bread around downtown Bethesda for months.  I have noticed it many times in alleys and by dumpsters.  This weekend there was a lot of it on the ground at the old public parking lot on Woodmont Avenue across from Pizzeria Da Marco.

 

Here's a scattering of green squash and sweet potatoes in the same area.

 

I'm not the only person to notice it either.  Here is a sign someone posted by some dumpsters on Battery Lane.  I wholeheartedly agree. There are enough rats in Bethesda already and feeding them just makes the problem worse.

 

 

 

Saturday, January 27, 2024

4909 Auburn construction update


4909 Auburn, an apartment building under construction on Auburn Avenue in Bethedsda, Maryland has progressed quite a bit since I last posted about it in October.


Construction is scheduled to be done in Mid-2024, they still have a lot to do so we'll see if they keep to the schedule.

Auburn Avenue is still uncomfortably narrow where construction has closed a lane.  When I was there a truck was unloading and taking up even more space.

The view from Norfolk Avenue. It rises significantly higher than the buildings right around it.

 

Light gray bricks face almost all of the front of the building. The top three floors still need attention as do areas that are set back.

 

 

 

Thursday, January 25, 2024

A foggy evening in Bethesda

 Tonight was warm and foggy, the last of the snow is quickly melting away.  I went for a walk on the Bethesda Trolley Trail and took these photos.




Sunday, January 21, 2024

Sophia Bethesda construction

Sophia Bethesda construction

It's been a while since I posted about these apartments currently under construction next to Bainbridge Bethesda.  So long, in fact, that they have changed names.  The project used to be called St. Elmo Apartments and you can see my update from September here.


 The name change isn't the only thing that has happened since then, Sophia Bethesda has topped out and has walls most of the way up. It now rises significantly higher than it's neighbor, Bainbridge Bethesda.

The view from the ground

Here's the view from St. Elmo Avenue, Bistro Provence is to the left, and there is a bit of snow on the ground from last week's storm.

According to Apartments.com, there will be 200 units spread across 22 stories. This is down from 276 apartments in the original plans. Rents will range from $1,642 for the lowest priced Studio to $9,113 for the most premium 3 bedroom apartment.

From Fairmont

 Sophia will be accessible from both St. Elmo Avenue and Fairmont Avenue. This is the view from Fairmont.

 

Friday, January 19, 2024

A good week for snow in Bethesda

 

Southbound on Old Georgetown Road at Democracy Blvd

It's been a good week for snow here in Bethesda.  At the beginning of the week we got 4+ inches which closed school on Tuesday and Wednesday, then last night and today we got another 3 or so.  School was again closed.  By this afternoon the accumulation had mostly stopped though there were still flurries coming down.

The roads are wet but clear. Bike lanes, on the other hand, are not clear. There doesn't appear to be a plan for clearing them.

Looking south on Old Georgetown Road

This is the intersection with Cheshire Drive, at the south end of Wildwood.  Driving is fine now but things will freeze up overnight so consider curling up with a cup of hot cocoa tonight instead of going out.

Wildwood parking lot

Parking lots are not in as good shape as the roads, but they were actively clearing them at both Wildwood and Georgetown Square.