Glenmont Metro Parking Garage Opens to Public

Demand for parking near the Glenmont Metro Station has long exceeded availability.

But a new Metro parking garage, which replaces the former Kiss & Ride lot on the west side of the intersection of Glenallan and Georgia avenues, adds 1,200 parking spaces. Parking on one of the garage’s six levels costs $4.75.

The 1,800 parking spaces in the east side garage across the street usually fill up by 8 a.m. every day, County Executive Isiah Leggett said at the Monday morning ribbon cutting ceremony for the new garage.

Councilmember Nancy Floreen, U.S. Representative Chris van Hollen, and State Sen. Roger Manno also spoke at the ceremony.

“This garage is a tribute to creative financing,” Floreen said. The $24.7 million price tag was assembled from Montgomery County revenue and liquor bonds backed by Metro, a surcharge at all county Metro stations, and a $1.6 million state grant, according to a county press release.

Rev. Ellis A. Moore, the pastor at across the street, said that he was happy to see “plenty of lighting” in the garage. The church participated in early discussions about the design and planning, he said. “All of our concerns have been addressed adequately,” Moore said.

“It’s a long-needed improvement that’s unfortunately going to cause a lot of congestion during rush hour,” said Steve Morrison, who sits on the Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board.

Charles Seljos, a member of the Greater Glenmont Civic Association who has lived in the community for just over six years, said that the garage is less for the people in Glenmont and more for the commuters who pass through. “But we’re happy it’s here,” he said.

The garage was built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards, with energy efficient lighting and recycled building materials.

The Rockville-based Forrester Construction Company was the contractor for the site, under management of the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority.