MONTGOMERY COUNTY COUNCIL

ROC KVILLE, M AR YLAND

R O G E R B E R L IN E R C H A IR M AN
C O U N C I L P R E S ID E N T T R AN S P O R T A T IO N , I N FR A S T R U C T U R E
D IS T R IC T 1 E N E R G Y & E N V IR O N M E N T C O M M IT T E E

MEMORANDUM

March 2, 2017

TO: Nancy Floreen, Chair, Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee
George Leventhal, Member, Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee
Hans Riemer, Member, Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee

FROM: Roger Berliner, Council President, Councilmember - District 1

SUBJECT: Bethesda Downtown Sector Plan/Need for a New Recreation Center

I have long-believed that the county-owned and operated property at 4805 Edgemoor which currently
houses the Bethesda Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, is underutilized as a county asset. In
addition, I believe that the combination of the current density in Bethesda, development currently in the
pipeline, and the new density being considered in the Bethesda Downtown Sector Plan calls for the
implementation of a new County Recreation Center in downtown Bethesda. Preliminary conversations I
have had with Recreation Department Director Gabe Albornoz and Department of General Services
Director David Dise confirmed that this need is both statistically warranted and possible.

In addition, you are likely aware that the Kid Museum, currently housed in the Davis Library, is actively
in search of a permanent home and according to its leadership team, a location in Bethesda adjacent to
metro would be a highly desirable location for that permanent home.

I therefore propose that the viability of a public-private partnership at 4805 Edgemoor be explored as a
potential location for a new recreation center and permanent home for The Kid Museum. The current
Regional Services Center could be incorporated into such a joint venture or a new, more visible location
for the BCC Regional Services Center should be located in downtown Bethesda.

I have asked executive staff to begin exploring this concept and have had continuing conversations with
Marlene Michaelson about the need to add a new recreation center to the list of priorities in the Bethesda
Downton Sector Plan. If you agree that this proposal has merit, I ask that you include $30,000 in this
years CIP for facility planning for such a project so that the Department of General Services can begin
seriously exploring this idea. I would also ask that 4805 Edgemoor be identified in the Plan as a potential
site for a recreation center, along with any other viable sites in the plan that can be identified, and that
specific language be added to the Plan recommending a new recreation center in the Plan.

STELLA B. WERNER OFFICE BUILDING 100 MARYLAND AVENUE, 6TH FLOOR, ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850
240-777-7828 OR 240-777-7900, TTY 240-777-7914, FAX 240-777-7989
WWW.MONTGOMERYCOUNTYMD.GOV
Today, your committee will be examining recommended heights for over a hundred properties in the
Bethesda Downtown Sector Plan. 4805 Edgemoor is one of these properties. As such, I ask that you
either recommend raising the allowable height on this property to 200-225 feet in order to provide the
greater flexibility and opportunity for a public-private partnership to materialize on this site or defer
action on this property for a subsequent committee meeting.

I hope you will embrace the need and desire for a new recreation center in Downtown Bethesda one that
is transit accessible that can meet with needs of residents living there today and the future generations to
come. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to continuing this conversation with you.