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Save The Trail Petition |
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Testimony: Purple Line Impact on Trail |
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Statement of Linda Skalet / The Bethesda Civic Coalition 4821 Montgomery Lane, #903 Bethesda, MD 20814
I represent The Bethesda Civic Coalition a group of residents of downtown Bethesda who came together in 2003 to oppose development in the CBD not in compliance with the Sector Plan. As the first generation of homeowners in Bethesda’s business district we feel a responsibility to shepherd continued growth in our neighborhood not only for ourselves but for all who enjoy this emerging urban center. We feel ourselves to be in a unique position to understand the ramifications of the many dramatic changes that are being considered. Plans for the construction of the Purple Line are foremost among them.
Of MTA’s 6 current alternatives the only one we can support is Alternative 3- Low Investment BRT. We feel it would be most effective in alleviating current and future traffic problems, particularly those associated with BRAC, without creating new traffic problems in the CBD. Such would be the consequences of Alternatives 4 and 5 both of which bring BRT down the busiest stretch of retail, dining and entertainment in Bethesda Row – the very blocks that we close to all traffic 8 or 10 weekends a year for cultural events. The result would be extreme traffic congestion and peril to pedestrians in this already dangerous area. Metro and the Bethesda Trolley already do a fine job of transporting people to this vibrant and attractive neighborhood. Our other concerns address quality of life and the creation of successful urban centers. No great city was ever created by eliminating all open space from its center. Without Woodmont East Park, the “Heart of Bethesda” will have lost its primary gathering place. No city has ever benefitted from the destruction of an irreplaceable urban forest, like the Georgetown Branch Trail. We will never regret having preserved these treasured elements of our city, but we will rue the day that we let them go to solve our current transportation problems with a 20 year old plan based on outdated assumptions. We need a Purple Line for today. Give us a better Purple Line! Return to List of MTA Testimony
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