Agendas

Friendship Heights Sector Plan – Planning Board Walking Tour

The Planning Board will attend a walking tour of the Friendship Heights Sector Plan area in advance of a Public Hearing scheduled in two parts on September 10 and September 14. This tour is free and open to any members of the public to attend as observers. As this is a walking tour, please note that registration is not required.

The purpose of the tour is educational. No Planning Board business is conducted on the tour. Members of the public will be observers on the tour. The public is also welcome to meet the tour at any of the stops per the meeting agenda below. Times provided are approximate and subject to change. Note that no transportation will be provided to Stop 1 or during the tour.

Stop 1 – Bloomingdale’s Plaza, Western Avenue and Wisconsin Avenue. Tour start time: 9:15 am.

Attendees will meet at the northeast end of the plaza close to the Metrorail stop to learn about the cross-jurisdictional nature of Friendship Heights, the challenges and opportunities of the Wisconsin Avenue/Western Avenue intersection and the Wisconsin Place development.

Stop 2 – The Collection Plaza at 5471 Wisconsin Avenue

Stop in the plaza to learn about Wisconsin Avenue, the mixed-use development on both sides, and the challenges and opportunities of the retail environment.

Stop 3 – Western Grove Urban Park (5409 Grove Street)

Walk from The Collection Plaza east through the rear of The Collection development, see the parking structure and walk along the sidewalk out to Western Avenue. Turn left and walk to Western Grove Urban Park via the pedestrian path. Learn about the park’s recent renovation and its lack of physical connection to Friendship Heights due to topography.

Stop 4 – Chevy Chase Village pedestrian connection to Friendship Heights (Belmont Buffer Park at Montgomery Street)

Walk through Western Grove Urban Park and continue through Belmont Buffer Park to Montgomery Street. Observe the adjacency between Belmont Buffer Park and Belmont Avenue and the Wisconsin Avenue parcels in Friendship Heights. Learn about the plan’s recommendations to transition building heights from Belmont Avenue/Buffer Park to Wisconsin Avenue.

Stop 5 – Former Saks Fifth Avenue Site (5555 Wisconsin Avenue)

Walk through the gate and travel along the parking entrance to The Collection, turning right on Wisconsin Avenue and walking up to the intersection with Somerset Terrace. Learn about the former Saks site, Somerset House across Wisconsin Avenue and the transition into the Village of Friendship Heights from Wisconsin Avenue.

Stop 6 – Hubert Humphrey Park (4433 South Park Avenue). Tour midpoint at approximately 11:00 am.

Cross Wisconsin Avenue and continue down Somerset Terrace. Make a left on The Hills Plaza and enter Hubert Humphrey Park via the ramp or stairs on the right. Learn about the Village of Friendship Heights, why this park is so successful, and understand the key characteristics of opportunity site 5550 Friendship Boulevard which is across the street from the park.

Stop 7 – North Park Avenue and Shoemaker Farm Lane

Cross Friendship Boulevard to the north side of North Park Avenue. Walk down North Park Avenue to Shoemaker Farm Lane. Learn about the different types of housing in Friendship Heights and the opportunity sites for future development along North Park Avenue.

Stop 8 – Reynolds House (5320 Willard Avenue)

Continue down North Park Avenue to Willard Avenue. Turn right on Willard Avenue and enter Willard Avenue Neighborhood Park via the path. Continue on the path until you can see the Reynolds House clearly through the trees. Learn about the history of the house and the plan’s recommendation to add the house to the Master Plan for Historic Preservation.

Stop 9 – Willard Avenue Neighborhood Park (4915 River Road)

Continue along the path in the park until the exit at River Road. Learn about the park amenities and recent efforts to improve the park entrance. This stop will also be an opportunity to hear about the challenges on River Road that the plan strives to address.

Stop 10 – Willard Avenue and Friendship Boulevard. Tour ends at approximately 12:20 – 12:30 pm.

Walk along Willard Avenue all the way to Friendship Boulevard. Learn about the former GEICO headquarters site (currently undergoing demolition) and the businesses and offices along Willard Avenue. This is the last stop on the tour. No transportation will be provided to Wheaton Headquarters or any other location.

Staff Recommendation: Attend a tour of the Friendship Heights Sector Plan Area

A. Margolies