RM Cluster Overcrowding?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Why will I tell them that I live in Bethesda? I have kids in Elementary school in RM cluster and very worried about hearing science in cart situation in RM. MD report card puts RM at 56 percentile. That horrible. I can't afford to sell and move so I don't want RM to drop down even more.

Unless your kids are multiples in fifth grade - by the time your kids are in high school, Crown HS will be open.

And if you're worried about your property values? Rockville Town Center failing won't be good for that.

DP

Building more condos/apartments is NOT going to help a failing Rockville Town Center.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Why will I tell them that I live in Bethesda? I have kids in Elementary school in RM cluster and very worried about hearing science in cart situation in RM. MD report card puts RM at 56 percentile. That horrible. I can't afford to sell and move so I don't want RM to drop down even more.

Unless your kids are multiples in fifth grade - by the time your kids are in high school, Crown HS will be open.

And if you're worried about your property values? Rockville Town Center failing won't be good for that.

DP

Building more condos/apartments is NOT going to help a failing Rockville Town Center.

And, building the additional high density housing will lead to even more overcrowding in schools. Which definitely leads to less resources for education, which leads to the quality of the school system declining. THAT definitely lowers property values.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the City said there is a certain density that is needed to support a grocery store. The original plans for RTC were larger and enough for a grocery. The current version is not. I do not understand how people are complaining about expensive parking. Did you need more than 2 hours to eat your Mellow Mushroom pizza. My Rockville family was thrilled to go to RTC rather than deal with the crazy traffic on the pike to avoid validating a parking ticket?? I also think people say they want small shops and maybe like to browse in them...but that is not where they are actually shopping.

I think the parking falls into several categories. First, many people don’t know about validation and it’s not necessarily offered. Second, 2hrs isn’t long enough for dinner and a movie. Third, people complain about $40 fines for being a minute late. The council is talking about 3hrs free parking without validation, a single warning per vehicle prior to issuing a fine. These two thing alone would go a long way to making RTC more friendly.

Agreed parking is an issue for the movie theatre and other business not actually in the town center. We go to Rio for cheaper movie tickets and free parking almost every time.

People go to Rio because there is easy, free parking. Plus a carousel for the kids and a playground. Plus lots of green space and a trail to walk around. You can take the kids to play around or meet a friend. You can take you 70 her old MIL and she’s happy to sit on a bench or eat at one of the restaurants. There is a Kohl’s and a Target and a Barnes and Noble.

Essentially, it is a convenient location with easy parking that appeals to various ages of people.

The pathetic green space at RTC is not enough. People like green space. Not just the sterile gray and glass faces of high rises.

The poster above says you can walk to Welsh Park. That’s true, but then it makes RTC much less of a ‘destination’ where families might come to spend a few hours.

[Anonymous]

Somewhat OT, but Dawson’s Market is actually re-opening in December.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So ridiculous. more density is NOT going to fix Rockville Town Center.

People in the area do not go to Town Center because of the ridiculous parking fees and overly enthusiastic parking enforcement. Who is eating at Mellow Mushroom when you can drive up the pike for easy, free parking at a million other restaurants?

They were had been planning for a park near a rockville Town Center but that green space is no longer in the picture.

People with kids and dogs want parks nearby. And some space.

The push for high density housing is misguided.

And in the council meeting they discussed parking. That’s another thing they are trying to address. One of the council members asked for the cost to the city to have three hour free parking without validation so people could go to Regal and eat dinner.

To answer your question, no one is going to Mellow Mushroom. They are out of business.

I disagree with your opinion on density. While I do agree parking needs fixed, I believe more people living nearby would help. IMO the spot with the Exxon would be a good location for another building. People living in the town center can always walk to Welsh Park.

Exactly. That’s why I said Mellow Mushroom. Nobody went to Mellow Mushroom because it’s more of a hassle than parking someplace else down the Pike or at Rio/Kentlands.

Montgomery County is a suburban county and many people dislike the trend towards urbanization that all this high density development is bringing. Like it or not, people still want to be able to hop in their car and run their errands.

Put more apartments and condos and town center and they will remain empty. There are still empty units at Pike and Rose and at Twinbrook and at Shady Grove and at White Flint.

Rental units at Rockville town center are much cheaper than Pike and Rose so a much larger population can afford to live there and they still get metro walkable. There are plenty of places in the county that is typical suburban. I’m not sure why you want to dictate to Rockville that they need to be like Potomac or whatever. Just move to Potomac if that’s the lifestyle you want.

A lot of us lived here before high density was a thing...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the City said there is a certain density that is needed to support a grocery store. The original plans for RTC were larger and enough for a grocery. The current version is not. I do not understand how people are complaining about expensive parking. Did you need more than 2 hours to eat your Mellow Mushroom pizza. My Rockville family was thrilled to go to RTC rather than deal with the crazy traffic on the pike to avoid validating a parking ticket?? I also think people say they want small shops and maybe like to browse in them...but that is not where they are actually shopping.

I think the parking falls into several categories. First, many people don’t know about validation and it’s not necessarily offered. Second, 2hrs isn’t long enough for dinner and a movie. Third, people complain about $40 fines for being a minute late. The council is talking about 3hrs free parking without validation, a single warning per vehicle prior to issuing a fine. These two thing alone would go a long way to making RTC more friendly.

Agreed parking is an issue for the movie theatre and other business not actually in the town center. We go to Rio for cheaper movie tickets and free parking almost every time.

People go to Rio because there is easy, free parking. Plus a carousel for the kids and a playground. Plus lots of green space and a trail to walk around. You can take the kids to play around or meet a friend. You can take you 70 her old MIL and she’s happy to sit on a bench or eat at one of the restaurants. There is a Kohl’s and a Target and a Barnes and Noble.

Essentially, it is a convenient location with easy parking that appeals to various ages of people.

The pathetic green space at RTC is not enough. People like green space. Not just the sterile gray and glass faces of high rises.

The poster above says you can walk to Welsh Park. That’s true, but then it makes RTC much less of a ‘destination’ where families might come to spend a few hours.

Walking to Welsh Park is for the people living in the town center. It’s like you made up your own story about the discussion. If visitors want to go to Welsh Park they can drive. I see people from all over there all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Somewhat OT, but Dawson’s Market is actually re-opening in December.

Where did you hear this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Why will I tell them that I live in Bethesda? I have kids in Elementary school in RM cluster and very worried about hearing science in cart situation in RM. MD report card puts RM at 56 percentile. That horrible. I can't afford to sell and move so I don't want RM to drop down even more.

Unless your kids are multiples in fifth grade - by the time your kids are in high school, Crown HS will be open.

And if you're worried about your property values? Rockville Town Center failing won't be good for that.

DP

Building more condos/apartments is NOT going to help a failing Rockville Town Center.

Sure they will. More people means more customers. You can deny it all you want and hope for NINBY policies but I’ve spoken with plenty of neighbors and by and large, they want the town center to succeed which means more building and fixes to parking. Did YOU go to the meeting VisArts? There were hundreds of people there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the City said there is a certain density that is needed to support a grocery store. The original plans for RTC were larger and enough for a grocery. The current version is not. I do not understand how people are complaining about expensive parking. Did you need more than 2 hours to eat your Mellow Mushroom pizza. My Rockville family was thrilled to go to RTC rather than deal with the crazy traffic on the pike to avoid validating a parking ticket?? I also think people say they want small shops and maybe like to browse in them...but that is not where they are actually shopping.

I think the parking falls into several categories. First, many people don’t know about validation and it’s not necessarily offered. Second, 2hrs isn’t long enough for dinner and a movie. Third, people complain about $40 fines for being a minute late. The council is talking about 3hrs free parking without validation, a single warning per vehicle prior to issuing a fine. These two thing alone would go a long way to making RTC more friendly.

Agreed parking is an issue for the movie theatre and other business not actually in the town center. We go to Rio for cheaper movie tickets and free parking almost every time.

People go to Rio because there is easy, free parking. Plus a carousel for the kids and a playground. Plus lots of green space and a trail to walk around. You can take the kids to play around or meet a friend. You can take you 70 her old MIL and she’s happy to sit on a bench or eat at one of the restaurants. There is a Kohl’s and a Target and a Barnes and Noble.

Essentially, it is a convenient location with easy parking that appeals to various ages of people.

The pathetic green space at RTC is not enough. People like green space. Not just the sterile gray and glass faces of high rises.

The poster above says you can walk to Welsh Park. That’s true, but then it makes RTC much less of a ‘destination’ where families might come to spend a few hours.

A park will not save RTC. If you need parks and green spaces, you can go further out up county for less density.
Pike&Rose has more density, no park. It is vibrant and very successful. Downtown Bethesda has more density, no parks. It is successful.
If RTC wants to be successful, it needs more density. But more importantly, it needs more visibility. The TC is hidden. I know many people who are driving every day on 355 through Rockville and never knew that there was a TC. A big anchor store will also help a lot.

[Anonymous]

Pike and Rose is very new too. RTC seemed successful in the beginning and it is not like PR has not lost stores already. We have no idea where they will be in 10 years. People go to what's new to try it out. Getting them to go back is harder. Will both llbean and REI survive? . We trecked down to the Baked Bear this summer but it will be a long time before we go back with Carmen's and Marble Slab and B&J right here.

[Anonymous]

"Rental units at Rockville town center are much cheaper than Pike and Rose so a much larger population can afford to live there and they still get metro walkable."

Is this because Pike and Rose is killing Town Center?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pike and Rose is very new too. RTC seemed successful in the beginning and it is not like PR has not lost stores already. We have no idea where they will be in 10 years. People go to what's new to try it out. Getting them to go back is harder. Will both llbean and REI survive? . We trecked down to the Baked Bear this summer but it will be a long time before we go back with Carmen's and Marble Slab and B&J right here.

I agree that Pike and Rose is new so people go there to check it out. It will not be successful in the long run. Again, the parking is ridiculous. People will not pay those prices to park to go bowling at a tiny, crowded bowling alley. Parking at Pike and Rose costs almost as much as it does in DC.

Maybe the housing there be able to sustain it, but it seems doubtful. Especially with so many units empty, plus the fact that there are thousands of additional new units going up all over the County.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the City said there is a certain density that is needed to support a grocery store. The original plans for RTC were larger and enough for a grocery. The current version is not. I do not understand how people are complaining about expensive parking. Did you need more than 2 hours to eat your Mellow Mushroom pizza. My Rockville family was thrilled to go to RTC rather than deal with the crazy traffic on the pike to avoid validating a parking ticket?? I also think people say they want small shops and maybe like to browse in them...but that is not where they are actually shopping.

I think the parking falls into several categories. First, many people don’t know about validation and it’s not necessarily offered. Second, 2hrs isn’t long enough for dinner and a movie. Third, people complain about $40 fines for being a minute late. The council is talking about 3hrs free parking without validation, a single warning per vehicle prior to issuing a fine. These two thing alone would go a long way to making RTC more friendly.

Agreed parking is an issue for the movie theatre and other business not actually in the town center. We go to Rio for cheaper movie tickets and free parking almost every time.

People go to Rio because there is easy, free parking. Plus a carousel for the kids and a playground. Plus lots of green space and a trail to walk around. You can take the kids to play around or meet a friend. You can take you 70 her old MIL and she’s happy to sit on a bench or eat at one of the restaurants. There is a Kohl’s and a Target and a Barnes and Noble.

Essentially, it is a convenient location with easy parking that appeals to various ages of people.

The pathetic green space at RTC is not enough. People like green space. Not just the sterile gray and glass faces of high rises.

The poster above says you can walk to Welsh Park. That’s true, but then it makes RTC much less of a ‘destination’ where families might come to spend a few hours.

Walking to Welsh Park is for the people living in the town center. It’s like you made up your own story about the discussion. If visitors want to go to Welsh Park they can drive. I see people from all over there all the time.

What story did I make up?

There is no park or playground at Rockville Town Center. So RTC does not draw people to it the way Rio does. If we want RTC to survive and thrive the way Rio does, we need to make it more inviting. Putting up more high density housing does not make RTC more appealing to anyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pike and Rose is very new too. RTC seemed successful in the beginning and it is not like PR has not lost stores already. We have no idea where they will be in 10 years. People go to what's new to try it out. Getting them to go back is harder. Will both llbean and REI survive? . We trecked down to the Baked Bear this summer but it will be a long time before we go back with Carmen's and Marble Slab and B&J right here.

I agree that Pike and Rose is new so people go there to check it out. It will not be successful in the long run. Again, the parking is ridiculous. People will not pay those prices to park to go bowling at a tiny, crowded bowling alley. Parking at Pike and Rose costs almost as much as it does in DC.

Maybe the housing there be able to sustain it, but it seems doubtful. Especially with so many units empty, plus the fact that there are thousands of additional new units going up all over the County.

It's amazing how there can be all of those empty units, yet developers keep building more, AND housing prices are high.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

What story did I make up?

There is no park or playground at Rockville Town Center. So RTC does not draw people to it the way Rio does. If we want RTC to survive and thrive the way Rio does, we need to make it more inviting. Putting up more high density housing does not make RTC more appealing to anyone.

Presumably it makes it more appealing to the people who will live in the housing - even if it doesn't make it more appealing to you.

I, personally, can't understand the appeal of Rio. Yet there it is. So obviously things that don't appeal to me personally can nonetheless be successufl.