This project provides for parking facility planning studies for a variety of projects under consideration for possible inclusion in the CIP. Facility planning serves as a transition stage for a project between the master plan or conceptual stage and its inclusion as a stand-alone project in the CIP. Prior to the establishment of a stand-alone project, the Department of Transportation (DOT) will develop a Parking Facility Project Requirement (PFPR) that outlines the general and specific features required for the project. Facility planning is a decision-making process to determine the purpose, need and feasibility of a candidate project through a rigorous investigation of the following critical project elements: usage forecasts; economic, social, environmental, and historic impact analysis; public participation; investigation of non-County sources of funding; and detailed project cost estimates. Facility planning represents feasibility analysis, planning and preliminary design and develops a PFPR in advance of full programming of a project in the CIP. Depending upon results of a facility planning determination of purpose and need, a project may or may not proceed to construction. For a full description of the facility planning process, see the CIP Planning Section.

There is a continuing need to study and evaluate the public and private parking supply and demand in order to ensure an adequate amount of parking. The timing and magnitude of such studies is usually dictated by the interests of private developers. Facility planning costs for projects which ultimately become stand-alone projects are included here. These costs will not be reflected in the resulting individual project.

Projects are generated by staff, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), public agencies, citizens, developers, etc. Analysis conducted under this project may be accomplished by consultants or in-house staff, with the cooperation of M-NCPPC, other County agencies, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), or private development interests. The MNCPPC re-evaluation of Bethesda Zoning and Development Potential along with announcements of major corporate headquarters relocation to Bethesda is adding to the level of analysis that is required in this District.

Expenditures will continue indefinitely.

M-NCPPC, WMATA, Parking Bethesda Facility Renovations, Bethesda CBD Sector Plan, and Developers.