Montgomery County is pressing pause on the Wheaton "Streetery" for the winter. According to an official announcement, the outdoor dining and public gathering space erected at Price Avenue at Elkin Street will be making way for snow plows and winter maintenance until late March. The Streetery is part of a county-wide effort that began in the spring of 2020 to assist businesses during the pandemic by transforming streets into communal spaces.
A crucial element of the rejuvenation of urban life, these "streeteries" have morphed from emergency measures to quasi-permanent fixtures of the streetscape. One such venue at Price Avenue, along with its counterpart on Norfolk Avenue in Bethesda, are the two survivors of this social experiment. As relayed by Montgomery County's website, the Wheaton Streetery Steering Committee, comprising local businesses, residents, and government staff, are already planning for the spring reboot.
With the support of officials like County Executive Marc Elrich, County Councilmember Natalie Fani-González, and the combined efforts of the Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee, a renaissance of the Wheaton Streetery is in the offing. One Montgomery Green is taking the lead in programming what aims to be a sustainable and vibrant revival of the space. The objectives range from fostering community connection to incorporating eco-friendly design aspects.
Envisaged as more than a mere dining spot, the reimagined Streetery will seek to educate on sustainable urban design and support local businesses, as it stitches back together a fabric torn by a global health crisis. For local residents eager to see what the Spring holds, detailed information about the future of the Streetery is available on the Wheaton Streetery Project website.
