Stakeholders invited to weigh in on redevelopment of parking lot at Metrorail station with goal of creating a cohesive neighborhood with new pedestrian connections and public spaces
SILVER SPRING, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, is launching the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Area Minor Master Plan with a community meeting on Thursday, July 7th from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Strathmore Music Center’s Comcast Lounge (5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD).
RSVP for the July 7 meeting.
Residents and stakeholders are invited to participate. Discussion will focus on the plan’s boundaries and goals, and any initial ideas for the area around the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metrorail station.
History of Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Area Minor Master Plan
The Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Area Minor Master Plan is an amendment to the 1992 North Bethesda Garrett Park Master Plan. The 1992 Master Plan described Grosvenor as the gateway to North Bethesda and called for development of a cultural arts campus at Strathmore Hall as well as new residential development around the Metrorail station. In 2001, construction began on a 1,976-seat concert hall and education center — the Music Center at Strathmore.
At the time of the 1992 Plan, the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA), which operates the Metrorail system, owned 45 acres at the Grosvenor Metrorail Station and the agency was contemplating a joint development project with a private developer. Since the 1992 Plan, the following residential developments have been built on WMATA land near the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metrorail Station: Meridian at Grosvenor Station, Avalon at Grosvenor Metro, Symphony Park and Strathmore Park Condominiums.
In 2013, WMATA released a joint development solicitation for a surface parking lot located south of the existing Metro parking garage at the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station. The development team chosen by WMATA for this site is Five Squares.
Goals of Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Area Minor Master Plan
The primary goal of the new Minor Master Plan is to create a cohesive neighborhood around the Metro station area, rather than a collection of disparate buildings. The proposed boundaries for this Plan will not be as large as the 1992 Plan boundaries, and will be limited to several parcels on the east side of Rockville Pike. The 160-acre Plan area will include the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station, Strathmore Music Center and the residential communities of Symphony Park, Stoneybrook, Parkside, Strathmore Park, Meridian at Grosvenor Station and Avalon at Grosvenor Metro.
WMATA’s surface parking lot is the only parcel of land within the boundaries of the Minor Master Plan area that is proposed for future development. The planning effort will also explore ways to enhance visibility and connectivity to the Strathmore Music Center, improve pedestrian linkages throughout the area and create a shared identity for this community through public space and art.
Learn more about the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Area Minor Master Plan and sign up for the plan e-newsletter to hear about future meetings.