The “pit stop” along the metropolitan branch trail would not seem particularly useful to riders because the trail terminates (or begins) at the transit center just a few dozen yards away. I’m not sure why anyone who has just started or is about to complete their ride would stop at this area.

David: While the Metropolitan Branch trail’s name terminates/begins at the SSTC, the actual trail will flow seamlessly into the future Capital Crescent Trail, which cyclists can take to Bethesda and on to the Georgetown waterfront. It is very likely that the pitt stop will be used extensively by riders who started in Georgetown and finished at Union Station (or the reverse).

Our intern double-checked the audio file of last week’s planning board meeting, and Dalrymple is quoted accurately. The article also states that the $500G would have gone towards the bike station.

Here’s how the info appears in the article:

Planning department staffers said a $500,000 contribution to the Silver Spring Transit Center’s proposed bicycle station would have squared things. But dropping that kind of change didn’t sit well with the developer, the Washington Property Co.

“It was a rather abstract contribution,” Bob Dalrymple, the company’s rep, said at Thursday’s planning board meeting. “The problem was that it could have been spent in Clarksburg.”

It seems both the developer and planning board are happy about getting a new street. However, planning staffers questioned the utility and security of the on-site public space, specifically the space along the Metropolitan Branch trail.

What, if anything, has been discussed to address those concerns?

I appreciate your input on this, Glenn.

PS. The spelling of Dalrymple’s name has been amended. Thanks!

The alternative approach that was ultimately approved by the Planning Board (i.e., requiring the applicant to construct the master planned road connecting Ripley Street and Bonifant Street)was proposed after the staff report was published. It represents a good outcome for Silver Spring. Hopefully we will be able to obtain alternative funding for the proposed bike station.
Glenn Kreger, M-NCPPC

On the subject of the Met Branch trail–I really want this project to be completed but it seems like its been on the drawing board forever and little progress has been made