County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) today recommended delaying funding for two major Bethesda projects in limbo.
In his recommended Fiscal Year 2014 Capital Budget, Leggett proposes a six-month delay for funding of the Bethesda Metro Station South Entrance.
He also recommended keeping the $9 million county share of the failed public/private partnership to build a new 2nd District Police Station as a placeholder while the county searches for alternatives. The revised CIP estimates a one-year delay on the project.
Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center Director Ken Hartman said last week the county was still searching for new private developer partners and also considering rebuilding the station in its Montgomery Lane and Wisconsin Avenue location of more than 50 years. Leggett’s CIP states the county will revise the costs when the nature of the project is known.
The Metro Station South Entrance drew attention during the five-year capital budget process last year when the County Council agreed to devote $80 million in funding for a project that’s dependent on the creation of the light rail Purple Line. The entrance would connect the Metro platform 120 feet underground to the Purple Line station at Elm Street west of Wisconsin Avenue.
The $2.15 billion Purple Line lacks funding, and according to some, is in jeopardy of ever being built. Leggett said his recommended funding delay to the South Entrance wouldn’t delay construction of the project as it must wait for certainty around the Purple Line.
Other revised CIP Bethesda projects include:
- The Greentree Road Sidewalk, which saw an acceleration of $32,000 from FY 13 to FY 12.
- Bethesda Bikeway and Pedestrian Facilities, which Leggett says will need $100,000 more than previously planned because of construction cost overruns.
- The Montgomery Mall Transit Center, which saw an acceleration of $12,000 into FY 12.
Flickr photo by thisisbossi
