Bethesda Row

Bethesda, MD

Project Description

Bethesda Row is a transit-oriented district in suburban Washington DC. Its balanced mix of uses, transit access, moderate density, high quality design, and walkability all contributed positively to the Environment score; weaknesses included over-accommodation of the automobile and large blocks. Financial scores are good, with home values and commercial rents well above the county average. Weaknesses were a lower average household income, and a slightly higher housing vacancy rate. Social numbers were not as strong; despite good demographics, the amount of networked social interaction was quite low. Recommendations include improving open space and transit linkages, and an aggressive event program would create new ways to successfully reach out to surrounding communities.

VALUE SCORE
Environment 28/33
  • The project core is 6.61 acres while the total project area is 44 acres.
  • Retail land uses occupy 37% of the project while residential land uses occupy 24% of the project.
  • The average FAR for the project is 1.5.
Social 28/33
  • The project doesn’t have continuing education facilities but it has health clinics.
  • On average people check-in here 39 times per month.
  • 18.7% of people check-in here in the AM, while 81.3% of people check-in here in the PM
Financial 29/33
  • Housing vacancies sit at 7.5%, a 2.8 percentage point increase from 2000.
  • Local commercial rents are approximately $34.52/S.F., a rate larger than the county by $10.04.
  • Income in the area has increased by $10,839 in the last ten years. In comparison, the regional income has gone up by $21,822.
OVERALL 85/100

Project Location

Project Address

Bethesda Ave & Hagar Ln Bethesda Row, Bethesda, MD 20814

Score Comment

"Bifurcated by arterial, auto oriented, large blocks, lack of social"

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