Parking in Bethesda’s Waverly Garage in downtown Bethesda, located between East West Highway and Montgomery Avenue, will become more expensive starting Aug. 19, with hourly rates increasing from $1 to $1.25. On the same day, the rate will drop from $1.25 to $1 an hour in the Metropolitan Garage, located between Old Georgetown Road and Woodmont Avenue.
The fee changes came as a result of legislation passed by the County Council in 2018 aimed at meeting demand and improving customer service within the Bethesda Parking Lot District. The Waverly Garage contains 858 spaces and the Metropolitan garage 968 spaces.
According to Maureen McNulty, a spokeswoman with the Department of Transportation, the rate changes were implemented because the Waverly Garage is at almost 100% capacity. By lowering the price in the Metropolitan Garage, the department hopes to “rebalance demand” by shifting cars from one garage to the other, McNulty said Wednesday.
Dan Schere can be reached at Daniel.schere@moco360.media