No More Free Parking At New Bethesda Garage, Starting Next Week

From Bethesda Now - By Aaron Kraut

The trial run at the new Capital Crescent Garage in downtown Bethesda is almost over.

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation will start charging drivers who park in the 960-space garage on Monday.

MCDOT and developer StonebridgeCarras opened the five-level garage under the Lot 31 project on Jan. 20. Parking has been free since “to give parkers time to become acquainted with the new garage,” according to the county.

County officials hope the facility will put to rest any complaints about a perceived lack of parking in Bethesda. The garage has a Bethesda Avenue and Woodmont Avenue entrance within walking distance of Bethesda Row.

The garage will have an 80-cents an hour rate from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Friday, same as the other county garages in downtown Bethesda.

Unlike most other county garages, the Capital Crescent Garage doesn’t have meters. Parkers will be given a ticket upon entering, then pay that ticket before getting back in their vehicles at pay machines. Machines at the garage exits will also let drivers pay from their vehicles with a credit card.

If you make it to the garage before Monday, don’t be alarmed to see entrance and exit gates down. MCDOT said Wednesday that parking personnel will be testing the gates before fees are required on Monday.

If the gate arms are blocking the entrance to the garage, take a ticket and use the ticket to exit. There will be no charge.