Pedestrian walkway to increase foot traffic in south Silver Spring - Gazette

Merchants hope pedestrian linkages project will help businesses

by Jason Tomassini | Staff Writer | Wednesday, July 8, 2009

A one-lane road and pedestrian walkway will be constructed in south Silver Spring as part of a larger project of linkages that residents and business owners say will make the neighborhood less dependent on automobiles and will increase foot traffic.

Last month, the county's Department of General Services demolished a one-story building at 1008 East West Highway that used to be a Thrifty Rental Car service. The county's Department of Housing and Community Affairs bought the property three years ago to construct a pedestrian walkway that will also have a one-way street for vehicles and eight parallel parking spaces.

The pathway will connect Kennett Street and East West Highway and break up the large, obtrusive block between 13th and Newell streets. The pathway joins the Arts Alley at 8030 Georgia Ave. and another pathway from Georgia Avenue to Blair Mill Road as projects that officials say will improve "walkability" in south Silver Spring.

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