SILVER SPRING – Montgomery County planners have recommended against a proposal for a pedestrian bridge connecting a new library with the third level of a parking garage in downtown Silver Spring.
On Thursday, May 14, the Planning Board will review a proposed amendment to a Silver Spring urban renewal plan that would allow the bridge to connect patrons to the Wayne Avenue parking garage. The new library is slated for Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street and would replace an aging, overcrowded library on Colesville Road.
County Executive Ike Leggett seeks an amendment to the Silver Spring Central Business District Urban Renewal Plan, which prohibits pedestrian bridges across several downtown streets, including Wayne Avenue. While the Urban Renewal Plan was developed by the Executive’s Office, his staff says the bridge would be important to library patrons, particularly those with disabilities. Executive Office staff also suggests cost savings would result from using existing parking rather than building new.
Planners, on the other hand, say the Urban Renewal Plan prohibits pedestrian bridges for good reason. Developing active streets and sidewalks, they say, is a key part of urban vitality, and a pedestrian bridge would pull people off the streets. More pedestrians lead to a vibrant street-level atmosphere and increase safety.
Moreover, the cost of the pedestrian bridge far exceeds the cost of improving sidewalks and crosswalks at Fenton and Wayne, planners say, a measure that would benefit the whole Fenton Village neighborhood– people grocery-shopping, teens going to the movies, as well as library-goers.
Also, planners say, building a bridge from the parking garage would emphasize using cars over other forms of transportation. The Planning Board has in recent years pushed for development that encourages use of public transit, bicycles or arriving on foot.
Planners researched other areas and found that jurisdictions such as Baltimore, Md., and Rosslyn, Va., have removed pedestrian bridges, partly because emptying streets of pedestrians leads to further emptiness, harming area businesses in the process.
The County Council’s Health and Human Services Committee, which reviewed the library proposal, supported the library with a bridge. The Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Committee does not support the bridge.
The proposed library includes a special book collection for the disabled. Planners suggest a library design with limited parking on the first level to serve people with disabilities as well as those seeking a quick-drop for book returns. Those spaces would meet American with Disabilities Act requirements, be practical for patrons with special needs and cost less than a raised bridge, planners assert.
The Board will consider planning staff’s recommendation, the County Executive’s position – as well as any public testimony – then transmit official comments to the County Council, which has the final decision.
Who:
Montgomery County Planning Board
What:
Proposed amendment to Silver Spring Central Business District Urban Renewal Plan
When:
Approximately 2 p.m. Thursday, May 14
Where:
Park and Planning Headquarters
8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring
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