Plan for Bethesda Mall Meets Opposition

In three years, an excursion to Westfield Shoppingtown Montgomery, formerly Montgomery Mall, might begin with a visit to the spa, some upscale outdoor dining and a movie viewed on a wall-to-wall screen, enjoyed -- with a warm cappuccino in hand -- from the comfort of a "rocking love seat."

And of course, there would be shopping, at a collection of boutiques and high-end retailers.

In a major expansion that would make the Bethesda mall one of the largest in the Washington area, Australia-based Westfield Group wants to add 500,000 square feet to it, creating a regional shopping destination that could better compete with Tysons Corner in Northern Virginia.

But residents are upset and have formed a coalition to push for changes to ease traffic congestion, promote pedestrian safety and make the mall's proposed parking garages more aesthetically pleasing.

Residents' feelings about the project range from "mild dislike to extreme antipathy," said Jack Cochrane, president of the Wildwood Hills Citizens Association.

Westfield's more than $300 million plan includes 100 new shops and restaurants, a theater complex, several large specialty retailers such as bookstores or electronics stores, an upscale "fashion wing" with designer apparel stores, a revamped food court and two multi-level parking garages. About 1,500 additional parking spaces are planned.

The 1.2 million-square-foot mall, anchored by Macy's, Nordstrom and Sears, generates more than $430 million annually in sales, according to Westfield officials.

"Westfield constantly looks for ways to invest and reinvest in their properties and make them relevant for consumers," said company spokeswoman Katy Dickey. "Our objective always is to place the widest range of goods and services in one location."

Dickey said potential tenants would not be discussed until the project is approved and leases are signed.

Concerned residents formed the Montgomery Mall Citizens Advisory Panel, a coalition of about a dozen homeowners associations. The group said it is going to push for revisions to Westfield's plan.

"There's a lot of concern," said Cochrane. "If I had to rank the concerns: traffic, pedestrian safety, keeping Westlake Crossing [a small, adjacent shopping strip] and the visuals of the parking garage."

Westlake Crossing, which was purchased recently by Westfield, is a small strip center with a bank, dry cleaners, bakery, pizza place and convenience store.