No Parking at New Bethesda Post Office
New location at 6900 Wisconsin Ave. has been open for about a week, but patrons worry about the lack of convenient parking.
A new downtown Bethesda post office has opened up on Wisconsin Avenue, but there’s just one problem—there’s no parking.
The United States Postal Service is closing the two downtown Bethesda post offices at 7001 Arlington Rd. and 7400 Wisconsin Ave., and consolidating them at the new location at 6900 Wisconsin Ave. The consolidation is part of a nationwide effort by USPS to consolidate or close post offices to help face declining revenues.
USPS first announced its consolidation plan at a community meeting last July, saying it was on the hunt for a central, downtown location with parking.
Residents also drove home the importance of keeping the new post office in a location accessible to Metro and bus transit.
While the new location, across the street from Trader Joe’s, is within walking distance of the Bethesda Metro station, there’s no dedicated parking at the site right now, said Dennis Perry, a real estate specialist for the USPS eastern facilities service office.
“We do not have parking at the present time,” Perry told Patch. “We’re working on trying to secure something. It’s an issue.”
USPS had hoped to sublease parking from a commercial tenant next door, but that plan hasn’t materialized, Perry said. The new location has been open for about a week, Perry said.
Patrons who park in the commercial lot next-door to the new post office are subject to being towed, according to the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center. Officials are advising postal patrons to park in the lot beneath Staples, PetSmart and CVS as an alternative.
“I like the other location better because of the parking,” said Jim McElroy, who stopped by the new location Monday.
McElroy said he’s maintained a P.O. box at the Bethesda post office for years, which he said would be difficult in the future without convenient parking at the new location.
U.S. Rep. Christopher Van Hollen (D) is working with USPS on a solution, according to the Regional Services Center.
kkoo
4:10 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Isn't there parking meters right in front of the FedEx Kinkos next door. The old post office had four parking spots anyway!
Marty Chase
5:40 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
No parking at the new Bethesda Post Office is a major problem, especially for those who previously went to Arlington Road to pick up certified mail, put mail on hold while away, or for other reasons. Arlington Road has a large parking lot. The new place has limited metered space in front but the large lot next door is reserved for customers of the Verizon and mattress stores with signs saying everyone else will be towed.
Ricky W Kracker a.k.a. Diggy Swagga
10:22 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
How did this issue materialize? Didn't USPS consider parking as well as mass transit? Did USPS allow residents to offer their opinions ahead of time?
Captain Cook
11:50 am on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Gee, why not follow The Somerset mayor's lead, Slavin, and WALK or Ride your bike - in the heat, rain, snow, heavy traffic, crazy drivers tweeting and muggers waiting to get you!
Call Van Holland's office to complain too - he helped put it there!