Bethesda Urban Partnership, Inc. (BUP) was established by Montgomery County in 1994 to market and maintain downtown Bethesda. Throughout the last 28 years, BUP’s 35 employees who work in marketing, maintenance/field operations, administration and transportation management have continued to promote and support our beautiful and vibrant downtown. A dynamic neighborhood within the Greater Washington D.C. area, Bethesda offers a variety of restaurants, retailers, entertainment venues and events. BUP’s marketing team manages unique and exciting programming, including community festivals and arts events, as well as highlights the many destinations throughout the downtown. BUP also manages field operations, Bethesda Transportation Solutions (BTS), the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District and the Bethesda Circulator. BUP is operated by an 11-member Board of Directors comprising residents, businesses and developers appointed by the County Executive. The organization is funded primarily by revenue generated from the Bethesda Parking Lot District fees, in addition to the commercial Urban District property tax. Private sponsors partner with BUP on events such as Taste of Bethesda, the Bethesda Fine Arts Festival and Imagination Bethesda.
