Montgomery County Department of Transportation to Offer Free Parking in County Garages and Lots on Saturday, Nov. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 21

 

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is offering free parking in County-owned garages and lots on Saturday, November 30 and Saturday, December 21. The free parking days are scheduled during two of the biggest shopping days of the year.

Parking fees at on-street meters will still be enforced on those days.

Fall Cleaning of County Public Parking Garages Has Started and Will Continue through November

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) this week started its semi-annual interior washdown to degrease and clean 21 County-owned parking garages in Silver Spring, Bethesda and Wheaton. The cleanings began in the Bethesda garages this week and are scheduled to conclude in the Silver Spring garages on Sunday, Nov. 3. The washings will occur on nights and weekends.

Some garages will experience partial closures that may include select entrance/exit areas and ramps. MCDOT contractors will do their best to complete their work around the garage traffic and parked vehicles and will provide appropriate signage to notify customers of anticipated access impacts.

View the full garage cleaning schedule here.

Every year, MCDOT performs the spring and fall washdowns to ensure the cleanliness of garages and prevent deterioration of the structures from prolonged exposure to salt, sand, oils, gas, dirt, pollen and leaves. Regular cleanings also help to keep grease, oil and debris out of local waterways. Some of the garages have permanent run off filtration systems and others have diverter valves that, when activated during the washdown, change the direction of the water flow from storm to sanitary.

Fall Cleaning Begins for Public Parking Garages in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has started its semi-annual interior washdown to degrease and clean 21 County-owned parking garages in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton. The cleanings, which will occur on nights and weekends, began this week with garages in Bethesda and will conclude with Silver Spring garages on Saturday, Nov. 4.

Some garages will experience partial closures during the cleanings, including select entrance/exit areas and ramps. The full schedule of garage cleanings can be viewed here.

MCDOT performs spring and fall washdowns to keep garages clean and help keep grease, oil and debris out of local waterways. Regular cleanings prevent deterioration from prolonged exposure to salt, sand, oils, gas, dirt, pollen and leaves.

MCDOT contractors will do their best to perform work around garage traffic and parked vehicles and to post signs notifying customers of anticipated impacts.

For more information about parking in the County, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-parking/news/index.html.

New Saturday Parking Hours for County-Operated Garages, Parking Lots and Meters in Downtown Bethesda and Silver Spring Go into Effect on Saturday, July 8

Montgomery County-operated garages, parking lots and street meters in Downtown Bethesda and Silver Spring will begin charging for Saturday parking beginning on Saturday, July 8. The Saturday hours and rates will be the same as the existing weekday schedules. Sundays will remain free. Drivers will be able to purchase monthly parking passes valid for mornings, evenings and weekends.

Parking revenue will be used to implement new safety and security measures in Downtown Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton parking facilities. This will include installing more lighting and cameras, in addition to maintenance. The Montgomery County Council approved the new parking schedule and a monthly pass with Resolution 20-167, "Setting Transportation Fees, Charges, and Fares," as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 budget process. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will implement the changes in accordance with the resolution.

Paid parking on Saturdays already is in effect in Downtown Wheaton.

Parking revenue provides financial support to the Bethesda Urban Partnership, the Silver Spring Urban District and the Wheaton Urban District for programs such as sidewalk and lighting maintenance and clean-and-safe crews throughout the downtown areas.

“Revenue generated from the new Saturday parking hours will allow us to increase security measures in and around our parking facilities that will ensure our downtown areas remain safe and desirable destinations for residents and visitors,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “Additionally, metered parking promotes turnover in parking spaces, which will increase the number of people who are able to dine and shop downtown. We expect these new Saturday hours to have a positive impact on our community and local businesses.”

Parking rates and hours effective July 8 in Downtown Bethesda and Silver Spring will be:

Downtown Bethesda

• On-street: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.: $2.25 per hour
• Surface lot parking: Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.: $2 per hour
• Garage parking: Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.: $1.75 per hour or less

Downtown Silver Spring

• On-street parking: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.: $2 per hour
• Surface lot parking: Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. -10 p.m.: $1.25 per hour
• Garage parking: Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.: $1.25 per hour or less

Signs alerting drivers of the new Saturday hours have been posted around Downtown Bethesda and Silver Spring parking facilities.

For information on parking passes, parking options in the County’s parking lot districts and other parking programs in the County, visit the Division of Parking Management’s website.

Spring Cleaning of Public Parking Garages in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton to Begin on Monday, April 10

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) on Monday, April 10, will begin its semi-annual interior washdown to degrease and clean 21 County-owned parking garages in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton. The spring cleanings will start with the Bethesda garages and are scheduled to conclude with the Silver Spring garages on Saturday, June 3. Cleanings will be done on nights and weekends.

Some garages will experience partial closures during the cleanings, including select entrance/exit areas and ramps. The full schedule of garage cleanings can be viewed here.

MCDOT performs spring and fall washdowns to keep garages clean and help keep grease, oil and debris out of local waterways. Regular cleanings prevent deterioration from prolonged exposure to salt, sand, oils, gas, dirt, pollen and leaves.

MCDOT contractors will do their best to perform work around garage traffic and parked vehicles and to post signs notifying customers of anticipated impacts to access.

For more information about parking in the County, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-parking/news/index.html.

Spring Cleaning of Public Parking Garages in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton to Begin on Monday, April 10

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) on Monday, April 10, will begin its semi-annual interior washdown to degrease and clean 21 County-owned parking garages in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton. The spring cleanings will start with the Bethesda garages and are scheduled to conclude with the Silver Spring garages on Saturday, June 3. Cleanings will be done on nights and weekends.

Some garages will experience partial closures during the cleanings, including select entrance/exit areas and ramps. The full schedule of garage cleanings can be viewed here.

MCDOT performs spring and fall washdowns to keep garages clean and help keep grease, oil and debris out of local waterways. Regular cleanings prevent deterioration from prolonged exposure to salt, sand, oils, gas, dirt, pollen and leaves.

MCDOT contractors will do their best to perform work around garage traffic and parked vehicles and to post signs notifying customers of anticipated impacts to access.

For more information about parking in the County, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-parking/news/index.html.

16 Multiple Electric Vehicle Charging Ports Added in County Parking Facilities, Bringing Total to 56 in County Garages and Parking Lots

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has added 16 electric vehicle charging ports in County garages over the last four months, increasing the total of electric vehicle (EV) charging ports to 56 for public use in County parking garages and parking lots.

Eight ports were added in the NOAA Garage (G58) in Silver Spring this month, four ports were added in the Cordell-St. Elmo Garage (G40) in Bethesda in December and four ports were installed in the Wheaton Market Place Garage (G13) in October.

MCDOT has eight more charging ports planned. Four will be installed in the Bethesda-Elm Garage (G57) later this winter and four ports have been ordered for the Cameron Street Garage (G7) in Silver Spring.

In 2022, Montgomery County reported 19,338 plug-in vehicles registered. Nearly one-third of all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles registered in Maryland are located within Montgomery County.

“This is great news to start off the new year—our constituents having been requesting more charging ports and I am glad that we are starting to deliver,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Expanding access to charging stations will encourage more EV ownership. Besides increasing our public use ports, we are also allowing homeowners to apply for a right-of-way permit for their own curbside charging stations. We are moving in the right direction, but we need residents, businesses and policymakers to support these efforts. Combatting climate change requires actions by all of us.”

Since the County’s first public EV charging stations were installed in the Capital Crescent Garage in February 2015, MCDOT has continually worked to grow the number of charging stations in County owned public parking facilities.

“We are making progress, but we still have work to do to ensure EV charging is accessible,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “Transportation is the largest producer of greenhouse gas emissions in the County and personal vehicles make up the majority of these emissions. We are working to increase personal vehicle charging capacity to encourage EV ownership. This is an essential step to reach our aggressive County goal of zero emissions by 2035.”

EV charging ports are now available in the following County parking facilities within each of the three County maintained Parking Lot Districts (PLD):

• Bethesda: Woodmont Corner Garage (G11), Capital Crescent Garage (G31) Woodmont-Rugby Garage (G35), Auburn-Del Ray Garage (G36), Cordell-St.Elmo Garage (G40), Waverly Garage (G47) and Bethesda-Elm Garage (G57)
• Silver Spring: Bonifant-Dixon Garage (G5), Cameron-Second Garage (G7), Kennett Street Garage (G9), NOAA Garage (G58) Wayne Avenue Garage (G60) and Town Square Garage (G61); Bonifant and Easley Lot (L29)
• Wheaton: Wheaton Market Place Garage (G13) and Amherst Garage (G45)

Twelve of the new EV charging ports in the Silver Spring (G40) and Bethesda (G58) parking garages, and four ports coming to Silver Spring (G57), have been funded and provided by Pepco. The County has an easement agreement with Pepco to locate the stations within PLD facilities. The rest of the stations have been funded by the County.

In May 2020, MCDOT and the County’s Department of Permitting Services released residential area guidelines for installing electric vehicle charging stations. The guidelines regulate and provide for permitting the installation of privately owned car charging stations in garages, driveways and in the public right of way adjacent to County streets.

For a listing of Montgomery County EV charging stations in public parking garages and lots, visit https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-parking/ElectricVehicle.html.

In addition to the charging ports in the County garages, nearly 600 EV ports are available for public use, as listed on the Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuel Data Center website. This includes 30 ports managed by the County’s Department of General Services at County-owned buildings, such as libraries.

Fall Cleaning Begins on Public Parking Garages in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has started its semi-annual interior washdown to degrease and clean 21 County-owned parking garages in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton on nights and weekends. The cleanings started with the Silver Spring garages and are scheduled to conclude with the Wheaton garages on Friday, Nov. 4.

Some garages will experience partial closures during the cleanings, including select entrance/exit areas and ramps. The full schedule of garage cleanings can be viewed here.

MCDOT performs spring and fall washdowns to keep garages clean and help keep grease, oil and debris out of local waterways. Regular cleanings prevent deterioration from prolonged exposure to salt, sand, oils, gas, dirt, pollen and leaves.

MCDOT contractors will do their best to perform work around garage traffic and parked vehicles and to post signs notifying customers of anticipated impacts to access.

For more information about parking in the County, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-parking/news/index.html.

Fall Cleaning of Public Parking Garages in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton to Begin on Sunday, Sept. 11

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) on Sunday, Sept. 11, will begin its semi-annual interior washdown to degrease and clean 21 County-owned parking garages in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton on nights and weekends. The cleanings will start with the Silver Spring garages and are scheduled to conclude with the Wheaton garages on Friday, Nov. 4.

Some garages will experience partial closures during the cleanings, including select entrance/exit areas and ramps. The full schedule of garage cleanings can be viewed here.

MCDOT performs spring and fall washdowns to keep garages clean and help keep grease, oil and debris out of local waterways. Regular cleanings prevent deterioration from prolonged exposure to salt, sand, oils, gas, dirt, pollen and leaves.

MCDOT contractors will do their best to perform work around garage traffic and parked vehicles and to post signs notifying customers of anticipated impacts to access.

For more information about parking in the County, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-parking/news/index.html.

21 County Parking Garages to Undergo Cleanings in Spring and Summer

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has started its semi-annual interior washdown to degrease and clean 21 County-owned parking garages in Silver Spring, Bethesda and Wheaton.

The washings, which will occur on nights and weekends, began earlier in April in the Bethesda garages and conclude with cleanings of the Silver Spring garages in early June. View the full schedule here.

Every year, MCDOT performs the spring and fall washdowns to ensure the cleanliness of garages and prevent deterioration of the structures from prolonged exposure to salt, sand, oils, gas, dirt, pollen and leaves. The regular cleanings help keep grease, oil and debris out of nearby waterways.

Some garages will experience partial closures that may include select entrance/exit areas and ramps. MCDOT contractors intend to complete their work around the garage traffic and parked vehicles and to provide appropriate signage to notify customers of anticipated access impacts.

New Parking Rates Will Go Into Effect in Montgomery County on Monday, Jan. 3

New parking rates at Montgomery County-operated garages, parking lots and street meters will go into effect beginning on Monday, Jan. 3, and will be implemented in stages over the following months. The Montgomery County Council adopted the parking rates as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 budget process. 

Parking revenues go directly to the management, maintenance and improvements of parking programs and services. A portion also goes to supplement other County programs such as the Urban Districts, which support streetscape improvements, lighting maintenance and clean-and-safe crews throughout downtown areas. 

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), which operates public parking in the County, will modify the hourly rates. Rate increases are calculated based on the parking district’s budget. This is reviewed by MCDOT and the executive office and approved by Council resolution.

To encourage improved traffic management, public safety and provide available convenient spaces for public use, lower rates are applied in off-street facilities and a premium is placed for on-street parking. Pay by Cell support through the downloadable Park Mobile app is available at all on-street metered parking, in County-owned parking lots and ungated County-owned garages.

MCDOT’s Division of Parking Management will place informational signs about the new rates at garages and lots in advance of the planned changes. 

The following chart reflects the new parking rates. All scheduled dates are effective “On or About” as indicated:

Effective Date	Facilities Affected	New Hourly Rates	New Hours     Requiring Payment
January 3, 2022	Bethesda Lots	$2.00	9a-10p M-Sa (No Change)
	Bethesda Garages    40, 47, 57	$1.75	7a-10p M-F (No Change)
	Bethesda Garages    31, 35, 36, 42, 49	$1.50	7a-10p M-F (No Change)
	Silver Spring Lots	$1.25 (No Change)	7a-10p M-F
	Silver Spring Garages    58, 60, 61	$1.25 (No Change)	7a-10p M-F
	Silver Spring Garages    3, 7, 9, 16	$1.00 (No Change)	7a-10p M-F
	Wheaton Streets	$1.25	9a-6p M-Sa (No Change)
	Wheaton Garages	$1.00	9a-6p M-Sa (No Change)
January 10, 2022	Wheaton Lots	$1.00	7a-10p M-Sa
January 18, 2022	Silver Spring Garages    2, 4, 5, 55	$1.00 (No Change)	9a-10p M-F
February 1, 2022	Bethesda Garage 11	$1.50	7a-10p
April 1, 2022	Silver Spring Streets	$2.00 (No Change)	9a-10p M-F

Parking permit rates: 

 

Effective Date	Permit Affected	New Rates
February 1, 2022	Silver Spring Convenience Access Pass   Only Garages 60, 61	$195 per Month
	Silver Spring Daily Permit	$15.00
	Bethesda Convenience Access Pass and  Parking Convenience Sticker (PCS)	$195 per Month
	Bethesda Daily Permit & Lost Ticket	$22.50

All other rates, including carpool passes, remain unchanged. 

MCDOT continues to enhance its transportation options and support clean energy solutions with the deployment of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations at six garages and lots in Silver Spring. Parking is available for four hours at these spaces using the ChargePoint.com system and electricity rates are charged at $0.13/kWh. For more information on the program, visit https://montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-parking/ElectricVehicle.html. 

MCDOT offers assistance finding carpools and vanpools that qualify for reduced parking rates in County parking facilities and other information to help reduce transportation costs. Programs include FareShare transit subsidies and discounts for bikeshare and e-scooters for low-income residents. For more information, visit the TRiPS Commuter Store located on the second level of the Silver Spring Transit Center or go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/commute.

New Parking Rates Will Go into Effect on Monday, Jan. 3

New parking rates at Montgomery County-operated garages, parking lots and street meters will go into effect beginning on Monday, Jan. 3, and will be implemented in stages over the following months. The Montgomery County Council adopted the parking rates as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 budget process. 

Parking revenues go directly to the management, maintenance and improvements of parking programs and services. A portion also goes to supplement other County programs such as the Urban Districts, which support streetscape improvements, lighting maintenance and clean-and-safe crews throughout downtown areas. 

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), which operates public parking in the County, will modify the hourly rates. Rate increases are calculated based on the parking district’s budget. This is reviewed by MCDOT and the executive office and approved by Council resolution.

To encourage improved traffic management, public safety and provide available convenient spaces for public use, lower rates are applied in off-street facilities and a premium is placed for on-street parking. Pay by Cell support through the downloadable Park Mobile app is available at all on-street metered parking, in County-owned parking lots and ungated County-owned garages.

MCDOT’s Division of Parking Management will place informational signs about the new rates at garages and lots in advance of the planned changes. 

The following chart reflects the new parking rates. All scheduled dates are effective “On or About” as indicated:

Effective Date	Facilities Affected	New Hourly Rates	New Hours     Requiring Payment
January 3, 2022	Bethesda Lots	$2.00	9a-10p M-Sa (No Change)
	Bethesda Garages    40, 47, 57	$1.75	7a-10p M-F (No Change)
	Bethesda Garages    31, 35, 36, 42, 49	$1.50	7a-10p M-F (No Change)
	Silver Spring Lots	$1.25 (No Change)	7a-10p M-F
	Silver Spring Garages    58, 60, 61	$1.25 (No Change)	7a-10p M-F
	Silver Spring Garages    3, 7, 9, 16	$1.00 (No Change)	7a-10p M-F
	Wheaton Streets	$1.25	9a-6p M-Sa (No Change)
	Wheaton Garages	$1.00	9a-6p M-Sa (No Change)
January 10, 2022	Wheaton Lots	$1.00	7a-10p M-Sa
January 18, 2022	Silver Spring Garages    2, 4, 5, 55	$1.00 (No Change)	9a-10p M-F
February 1, 2022	Bethesda Garage 11	$1.50	7a-10p
April 1, 2022	Silver Spring Streets	$2.00 (No Change)	9a-10p M-F

Parking permit rates: 

 

Effective Date	Permit Affected	New Rates
February 1, 2022	Silver Spring Convenience Access Pass   Only Garages 60, 61	$195 per Month
	Silver Spring Daily Permit	$15.00
	Bethesda Convenience Access Pass and  Parking Convenience Sticker (PCS)	$195 per Month
	Bethesda Daily Permit & Lost Ticket	$22.50

All other rates, including carpool passes, remain unchanged. 

MCDOT continues to enhance its transportation options and support clean energy solutions with the deployment of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations at six garages and lots in Silver Spring. Parking is available for four hours at these spaces using the ChargePoint.com system and electricity rates are charged at $0.13/kWh. For more information on the program, visit https://montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-parking/ElectricVehicle.html. 

Campaign Launched to Promote Availability of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is installing 42 electric vehicle (EV) charging station wayfinding signs in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton to make drivers aware that they can easily find opportunities to charge their environmentally friendly vehicles.

“I’m proud to share that Montgomery County has one of the most aggressive climate action plans nationally,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “It lays out a roadmap to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in every sector possible. Transportation is the second leading cause of GHG emissions in the U.S., responsible for 42 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions. We need to do all we can to prioritize and facilitate electric vehicle usage to help reach our climate action plan goals.”

The signs are being placed in and around public parking facilities that currently have EV charging stations. Wayfinding is a comprehensive signage system communicating the location of various destinations. The project's goals are to assist current EV owners in locating charging stations and to create public awareness of the County's charging infrastructure.

There are currently 20 Level 2 charging stations available within County-owned parking facilities in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton. The charging stations are available for public use and cost .13 cents per kilowatt (kWh). Level 2 charging stations take about four hours to fully charge the average electric vehicle.

“Letting the public know that these charging stations are available is important to encourage the use of electric vehicles,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “The County has committed to a zero-emissions goal by 2035 and it is going to be a multifaced approach that gets us there.”

For more information on the EV stations and a location map visit, https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-parking/ElectricVehicle.html.

County to Resume Late Fees for Outstanding, Unpaid Parking Citations on Aug. 1

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), which suspended late fees on parking tickets in March of 2020, to prevent undue hardship to customers during the COVID-19 health crisis, will resume collecting late fees starting Aug. 1. However, late fees for parking citations issued from Jan. 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, will be waived provided that the tickets are paid by Aug. 1.

If payment or a court request has not been made by Aug. 1, the penalty phase will begin 15 days following (Aug. 15) with a $25 late fee. A subsequent late fee will be issued in the 45 days following. Late fees will only affect outstanding citations which have not already requested court or made their payment. The 6th District Court of Maryland, which adjudicates citation disputes, resumed court proceedings on June 1.

MCDOT is now mailing notices to the owners of vehicles with balances due for outstanding citations issued from Jan. 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021.

To pay for a parking citation, or look up a citation by license plate, click here or call 240-453-0113.

The two parking sales stores located in Bethesda (Cheltenham Garage, No. 42) and Silver Spring (Town Square Garage, No. 61) have resumed regular hours from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. The locations may be used to pay County parking citations, purchase monthly parking passes and other County issued parking permits.

For more information on MCDOT’s programs visit, https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot. Follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, and subscribe to MCDOT’s ‘Go Montgomery!’ newsletter.

Artist Applications Being Accepted Through Aug. 6 for Bethesda’s ‘Paint the Town’ Mural on the Woodmont Corner Garage

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is partnering with the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District in a call for artists to participate in the “Paint the Town” initiative to promote and bring more public art murals to Downtown Bethesda. The deadline for applications is Friday, Aug. 6.

This year’s project will be a mural that will cover the Old Georgetown Road side of MCDOT’s Woodmont Corner Public Parking Garage. Garage 11 is located at 7730 Woodmont Ave.

This is the second mural project MCDOT has undertaken to enhance the vibrancy of highly visible County spaces. The other is outside of MCDOT’s Woodmont-Rugby Public Parking garage located at 8216 Woodmont Avenue.

“I am proud of the work MCDOT is doing to enrich the County landscape through the arts,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Creative partnerships like this are a wonderful way to integrate art into our daily lives. One of the fundamental purposes of art is to uplift and inspire. Coming out of a pandemic, we need that more than ever. It makes a difference. A mural can change the feel of a neighborhood.”

A stipend of $27,500 will be provided to the chosen artist to pay for time, supplies, fabrication, installation, travel and other project-related expenses. The artist will be chosen by Aug. 30 and the project will be completed by Nov. 15.

Artists must be at least 18 years old and be a resident of Maryland, Virginia or Washington, D.C. Additional requirements and the application form can be found here.

“This is a great way to revive some of our public spaces,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “These projects bring color and interest to spaces that would not otherwise be very exciting.”

Maryland designated Downtown Bethesda as an “Arts & Entertainment District” in 2002. The District is managed by the Bethesda Urban Partnership, with the mission of creating and implementing arts and entertainment projects that contribute to the artistic, cultural and economic growth of Downtown Bethesda.

A collection of colorful murals located within the Bethesda Arts and Entertainment District can be viewed at https://www.bethesda.org/bethesda/bethesda-murals.

Free Transportation Options Available for Early Voters and on Election Day

Montgomery County residents who choose to cast their votes at ballot drop boxes or in person during the early voting period and on Election Day are encouraged to make use of multiple free transportation options to support voting activity.

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will allow two hours of free parking in the urban areas of Downtown Silver Spring and Downtown Rockville at specific garages if drivers display their “I Voted” stickers to garage attendants now through Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 3). Voting hours will be 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. Two hours free parking will be available for those who vote at these locations:

• The Silver Spring Civic Building and who park at the Town Square/ Garage at 801 Ellsworth Dr. (directly across from the Civic Building).
• The County Executive Office Building at 101 Monroe St. in Rockville and who park at the public parking garage adjacent to the County Council Office Building at the corner of Monroe Street and Jefferson Street.

Capital Bikeshare will provide unlimited free bikeshare rides on classic bikes for any trip under 30 minutes all day on Election Day.

All e-scooter companies operating in Montgomery County are offering free or discounted rides on Election Day to support voting activity. Specific offer information can be found at the following links: Lyft, Lime and Bird.

All bus services operated by the MCDOT continue to provide free rides throughout the County in response to the COVID-19 health crisis. Ride On bus services (including Ride On Extra) now operate about 80 percent of normal service levels and all routes have been reactivated except for the Flex bus. US29 Flash launched earlier this month between Burtonsville and Downtown Silver Spring and operates every 7.5 to 15 minutes.

Two Hours Free Parking Will Be Available for Early Voters and on Election Day in Downtown Silver Spring and Rockville

Montgomery County residents who choose to cast their votes in person during the early voting period and on Election Day in the urban areas of Downtown Silver Spring and Downtown Rockville will be given two hours of free parking at specific garages if they display their “I Voted” stickers to garage attendants.

Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation, which oversees operation of County parking facilities, is making the arrangements during the early voting period (Monday, Oct. 26, through Monday, Nov. 2) and on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 3). Voting hours will be 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day.

Two hours free parking will be available for voters using:

• The Silver Spring Civic Building to vote and who park at the Ellsworth Drive Garage at 801 Ellsworth Dr. (directly across from the Civic Building).
• The County Executive Office Building at 101 Monroe St. in Rockville to vote and park at the public parking garage adjacent to the County Council Office Building at the corner of Monroe Street and Jefferson Street.

New Parking Rates Go into Effect at Montgomery County-Operated Garages, Parking Lots and Street Meters in Downtown Silver Spring on Monday, Nov. 2

 

New parking rates at Montgomery County-operated garages, parking lots and street meters in Downtown Silver Spring will go into effect beginning on Monday, Nov. 2, and will be implemented in stages over the course of the month. The Montgomery County Council adopted the parking rates as part of the Fiscal Year 2021 budget process. 

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), which operates public parking in the County, will modify the hourly rates in accordance with Resolution 19-441, ‘Setting Transportation Fees, Charges, and Fares.’ Parking revenues  are used to directly support and benefit Downtown Silver Spring and Montgomery Hills by operating and maintaining parking facilities through customer service, cleaning, facility maintenance and security services. The Parking Lot District also provides financial support to the Silver Spring Urban District for programs such as sidewalk and lighting maintenance and clean-and-safe crews.

MCDOT’s Division of Parking Management will place informational signs about the new rates at garages and lots in advance of the planned changes.

The new parking rates will be:

• On-street parking: $2 per hour
• Surface lot parking: $1.25 per hour
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Wayne and Town Square Garages 58, 60 and 61: $1.25 per hour
• All other garages: $1 per hour
• Permits:
• $195.00 monthly access at Garages 60 and 61
• $132 per month at long-term meter with a Parking Convenience Sticker monthly permit
• $12 per day with a daily parking permit

All other rates, including carpool passes, remain unchanged. Days and hours requiring payment remain unchanged.

Respect the Space Disability Parking Campaign Begins New Initiative

This month marks the 26th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and is the beginning of a new phase of the County’s “Respect the Space” disability parking campaign.

A new campaign goal is to ensure that signage for all disability parking spaces in Montgomery County complies with Maryland’s Accessibility Code adopted under the Public Safety Code. A beginning step is to ensure that parking lot managers know their legal obligations. All parking lot managers are encouraged to review the legal standards, and take necessary action to make their parking lot signs compliant.

• Read press release about the Respect the Space new initiative.
• Learn more about the legal signage requirements.

MCDOT Installs Five More EV Charging Stations in County Garages

The County Transportation Department’s Division of Parking Management has installed electric vehicle charging stations in five more County-owned parking garages. The five locations will each have one station providing service to two parking spaces. In April of this year, three stations servicing six parking spaces were installed in the Bethesda Capital Crescent Garage (Garage 31).

The new locations are: Woodmont Corner Garage (Garage 11) and Waverly Garage (Garage 47) in Bethesda; the Cameron/Second Street Garage (Garage 7) and Kennett Street Garage (Garage 9) in Silver Spring; and the Amherst Garage (Garage 45) in Wheaton.