For immediate release: March 2, 2020

Metro asks riders for input on proposed modifications to the expansion of the Grosvenor-Strathmore parking garage

UPDATE - March 13, 2020: Due to the ongoing public health emergency to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), Metro has postponed the public hearing. We will notify the public when a new date is determined. Additional information may be found here. 

Metro is proposing modifications to a planned garage expansion that would impact customer parking at the Grosvenor-Strathmore Station. The options include moving forward with a planned addition, canceling future construction or delaying the decision until an evaluation is completed.

The garage expansion is part of a joint development at Grosvenor-Strathmore that would eliminate a surface parking lot. Construction is underway on Phase 1 to replace approximately 52 percent of the surface parking. The project, approved by the Metro Board of Directors, would replace the remaining spaces during Phase 2 of the garage expansion.

Due to the cost of the Phase 2 addition, the availability of parking at other nearby Metrorail stations, and the expected disruption to the Kiss & Ride and Arts Walk during construction, Metro is considering multiple options:

  • Complete the planned construction of the Phase 2 garage expansion.
  • Cancel the construction of the Phase 2 garage expansion, reducing the number of on-site parking spaces at Grosvenor-Strathmore Station by approximately 194 spaces.
  • Wait to make a decision about completing or canceling the construction of the Phase 2 garage expansion until after the Phase 1 garage expansion is fully operational in late 2020 and a full parking demand evaluation completed.

Metro encourages customers to provide feedback by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2020:

  • Provide your written comments at wmata.com/plansandprojects
  • Attend an Open House at 6:00 p.m., followed by a Public Hearing at 6:30 p.m. on Monday March 30, 2020, at:
    The Mansion at Strathmore
    10701 Rockville Pike
    North Bethesda, MD 20852

    *The hearing location is wheelchair accessible. An ADA shuttle will be available between the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metrorail Station and the public hearing location.

Any individual who requires special assistance such as a sign language interpreter or additional accommodation to participate in the public hearings, or who requires these materials in an alternate format, should call 202-962-2511 or TTY: 202-962-2033 as soon as possible in order for Metro to make necessary arrangements. For language assistance, such as an interpreter or information in another language, please call 202-962-1082 at least 48 hours prior to the public hearing date.

All comments and public feedback are provided to Metro’s Board of Directors for consideration prior to making a decision in late spring 2020.

HOW TO REGISTER TO SPEAK AT THE PUBLIC HEARING

All organizations or individuals desiring to be heard with respect to the proposal will be afforded the opportunity to present their views and make supporting statements and to offer alternative proposals. Public officials will be allowed five minutes each to make their presentations. All others will be allowed three minutes each. Relinquishing of time by one speaker to another will not be permitted.

In order to establish a witness list, individuals and representatives of organizations who wish to be heard at the public hearing are requested to furnish in writing their name and organization affiliation, if any, via email to speak@wmata.com. Please submit only one speaker's name per request. Lists of individual speakers will not be accepted. The request may also be made by calling WMATA’s Office of the Secretary at (202) 962-2511.

HOW TO SUBMIT WRITTEN STATEMENTS

Testimony may be submitted online about this proposal at wmata.com/plansandprojects. Online submission will be available by 9 a.m. on Saturday, February 29, 2020 and will close Thursday, April 9, 2020 at 5 p.m. This is in addition to your ability to speak at the public hearing. For those without access to computers or internet, testimony may also be mailed to:

Office of the Secretary
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
600 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001

All comments must be received by the Office of the Secretary by 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2020, to be included in the public record. The comments received by the Office of the Secretary, along with the online submissions and public hearing comments, will be presented to the WMATA Board of Directors and will be part of the official public hearing record. Please note all statements are releasable to the public upon request, and may be posted on WMATA’s website, without change, including any personal information provided.