Facility Overview
Garage 40 (Cordell-St. Elmo Garage), operated by Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), is a multi-level public parking facility positioned in the vibrant Woodmont Triangle neighborhood of Bethesda, Maryland. Located at 4935 St. Elmo Avenue with dual access points connecting Cordell Avenue and St. Elmo Avenue, the garage serves as a premier parking hub for local dining, retail, and medical appointments. The structure provides covered parking spaces protected from weather extremes across multiple tiers, complete with dedicated accessible stalls and well-marked pedestrian stairwells and elevators. Standard sedans, crossover vehicles, and mid-sized SUVs navigate the interior easily, while oversized pickup trucks, elevated utility vehicles, and commercial vans should take note of the posted standard maximum vehicle clearance height of approximately 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m).
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Situated in the heart of downtown Bethesda\'s culinary and entertainment corridor, Garage 40 offers immediate access to many of the area\'s top cultural and leisure destinations:
- Woodmont Triangle Dining & Nightlife: Direct pedestrian access to dozens of celebrated restaurants, bistros, bakeries, and bars along Cordell, St. Elmo, and Norfolk Avenues within a 1 to 3-minute walk.
- Bethesda Theater & Arts District: Located mere blocks from Imagination Stage (0.3 miles), Round House Theatre (0.5 miles), and local art galleries.
- Bethesda Row: A scenic 10 to 12-minute walk south brings visitors to upscale retail boutiques, the Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema, and waterfront dining near the Capital Crescent Trail.
- Medical Centers: A short 5-minute drive or transit ride north connects directly to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) main campus and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
Garage 40 provides straightforward vehicular access from Old Georgetown Road (MD-187) and Wisconsin Avenue (MD-355), both primary arterial corridors connecting Bethesda to the Capital Beltway (I-495) and downtown Washington, D.C. Ingress and egress points are positioned along both St. Elmo Avenue and Cordell Avenue, helping minimize bottlenecking during evening restaurant peak hours. For public transit users, the Bethesda Metro Station (Red Line) is located approximately 0.4 miles away (an 8-minute walk), providing swift subway transit into the nation\'s capital. Additionally, the free Bethesda Circulator shuttle stops nearby, providing effortless intra-downtown loops between Woodmont Triangle and Bethesda Row.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Convenient multi-deck covered parking safeguarding vehicles from seasonal weather.
- Dual street access via both St. Elmo Avenue and Cordell Avenue for smooth circulation.
- Multiple payment channels including automated on-site pay stations accepting credit and debit cards, as well as mobile pay-by-phone convenience via ParkMobile.
- Designated ADA-compliant accessible parking stalls conveniently located near elevators and primary pedestrian ramps.
- Bright overhead illumination, security call stations, and periodic monitoring by Montgomery County parking staff.
- Dedicated Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations available on select levels.
Ideal For
- Evening & Weekend Diners: Visitors enjoying the extensive selection of ethnic eateries and lively pubs along Woodmont Triangle.
- Daily Commuters & Business Professionals: Office workers seeking predictable, regulated parking near Wisconsin Avenue and Old Georgetown Road.
- Arts & Culture Patrons: Theatergoers attending productions at Imagination Stage or Round House Theatre.
- Medical Visitors: Patients and visitors traveling to outpatient clinics and professional medical offices in northern downtown Bethesda.
Visitor & Driver Tips
County-operated parking rates are enforced Monday through Saturday from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, while parking is typically free on Sundays and major County-recognized holidays. To avoid returning to an expired meter or citation, drivers are encouraged to set up a ParkMobile account in advance and reference the designated garage zone number posted on structural pillars. If visiting during busy Friday or Saturday dinner rushes, driving directly up to the middle or upper parking decks often yields the fastest available stalls with minimum circling.