Montgomery County Announces Temporary Winter Closure of the Wheaton 'Streetery'

For Immediate Release: Monday, December 9, 2024

Montgomery County Announces Temporary Winter Closure of the Wheaton 'Streetery'

Montgomery County has implemented a winter closure of the Wheaton "Streetery," located on a portion of Price Avenue at Elkin Street in Wheaton. The Streetery comprises streets closed off to vehicles, enabling restaurants to offer outdoor dining spaces for customers and areas for residents to gather.

During the closure, the roadway will temporarily open to vehicular traffic to allow for winter maintenance, including snow plowing. The Streetery is scheduled to reopen in late March.

The Wheaton Streetery was one of four “streeteries” created in the spring of 2020 by the County as a temporary concept to support businesses struggling from the economic impacts of COVID-19 and allow residents to gather freely on public streets when indoor dining was closed. The spaces were reevaluated in the late summer of 2022, with some closing altogether, some becoming seasonal and others taking on more permanent changes. Two “streeteries” remain—Price Avenue in Wheaton and Norfolk Avenue in Bethesda.

One Montgomery Green, which is leading efforts to plan programming for the Wheaton Streetery’s reopening, works closely with the Wheaton Streetery Steering Committee. The committee includes representatives from local businesses, residents and County government staff.

The winter closure and spring relaunch are supported by and are being developed in collaboration with County Executive Marc Elrich, County Councilmember Natalie Fani-González, the Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee, local businesses and community partner One Montgomery Green.

One Montgomery Green has outlined the following objectives for the Streetery’s relaunch:

• Create a Vibrant Community Space: Develop a welcoming area where residents and businesses can come together, fostering a sense of connection and belonging.
  
  
• Promote Sustainability: Include stormwater management features, native plantings and permeable surfaces to make the space environmentally friendly.
  
  
• Encourage Learning: Use the Streetery to educate the community about sustainable urban design and environmentally responsible practices.
  
  
• Support Local Businesses: Provide a space that encourages outdoor dining and other activities to strengthen the local economy.

For more information, visit the Wheaton Urban District’s website. Details about future plans for the Streetery are available on the Wheaton Streetery Project website.  

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Release ID: 24-553
Media Contact: Luisa Cardona 240-777-8101
Categories: Transportation