MCS Staff, Author at The MoCo Show

Small Fire Extinguished at Building Under Construction in Pike & Rose

Published May 3, 2023 at 11:45AM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) were called to the scene of a fire on the roof/penthouse of the under-construction building at 915 Meeting St shortly before 11am on Wednesday morning.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the HVAC on the roof was smoking and being overhauled. The fire was contained to the HVAC unit and there was no extension aside from smoke. The fire was quickly extinguished and there were no injuries. Some lanes on Rockville Pile, Rose Avenue, and Trade Street were temporarily blocked. Featured photo and video below by Michelle Sauer.

Montgomery Parks

Montgomery Parks Seeks Input on Plans to Convert Tennis Courts to Six Pickleball Courts at East Norbeck Local Park

By MCS Staff

Published May 3, 2023 at 10:36AM

Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, is seeking public input about plans to convert two tennis courts to six dedicated pickleball courts at East Norbeck Local Park. The proposed project aims to expand pickleball opportunities in the county by creating a hub of multiple, dedicated courts for the increasingly popular sport. The public may submit their feedback on the plan at the online Open Town Hall through Friday, June 2, 2023. “Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the nation and here in Montgomery County. While Montgomery Parks has a strong inventory of shared pickleball and tennis courts, we need to increase the number of dedicated pickleball courts to accommodate the demand,” said Mike Riley, director of Montgomery Parks.

Montgomery Parks currently has more than 75 shared pickleball/tennis courts and only eight dedicated pickleball courts. East Norbeck Local Park has been selected as a suitable location for a pickleball hub for multiple reasons including:

Takoma Park

Takoma Park Receives $60,000 Grant To Study Streetery Traffic Impacts

By MCS Staff

Published May 3, 2023 at 8:22AM

City Award $60,000 to Study Laurel Avenue Streetery Traffic Impacts: Since early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the Laurel Avenue Streetery has offered a popular, public gathering space in the heart of Old Takoma, where previously there was none. The temporary closure was so popular that in 2022, the City Council voted to extend its existence indefinitely.

On Thursday, April 20, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) awarded the City of Takoma Park a $60,000 Transportation-Land Use Connection program technical assistance grant to conduct a traffic study on the streets surrounding Laurel Avenue. The study will look at traffic impact scenarios for a full, permanent, or semi-permanent closure of both sides of Laurel Avenue. It will look at the potential impacts on vehicle traffic flow, emergency vehicle access, cut-through traffic, and any roadway or signal redesigns that would be necessary to accommodate the reconfiguration. The idea to close both sides of Laurel Avenue to create a large, dedicated pedestrian plaza builds on conceptual design work being conducted by the Old Takoma Business Association (OTBA).

Bethesda

Installation of Vape Detectors Begins at Six MCPS High Schools This Week

By MCS Staff

Published May 3, 2023 at 7:38AM

Earlier this month, MCPS announced that vape detectors were in the process of being installed in the bathrooms of a “limited number of high schools.” Student journalists Hannah Lee, Claire Yu, and Avery Wang, of Richard Montgomery’s RM Tide newspaper, have reported that installations begin this week at six MCPS High Schools: John F. Kennedy, Northwood , Paint Branch, Quince Orchard, Richard Montgomery, and Walt Whitman. The detectors will remain until at least the end of the school year.

Per MCPS: “Vape detectors are in the process of being installed in the bathrooms of a limited number of high school schools. These detectors will help to identify any instances of vaping or smoking in the bathrooms, allowing us to take appropriate action to prevent harm to our students’ health and safety.”

Gaithersburg

New Chick-Fil-A in Gaithersburg Aiming For June Opening

By MCS Staff

Published May 3, 2023 at 7:17AM

Permanent signage went up last month at the upcoming Chick-Fil-A restaurant at 700 N. Frederick Ave in Gaithersburg, at Progress Labs. Progress Labs, which began construction in summer 2021, is a 44-acre property that directly fronts I-270 at the Montgomery Village Avenue exit. and is located next door to the recently constructed 300,000 square foot FedEx Ground facility, just south of the new Watkins Mill Interchange. The restaurant is now aiming to open in June, according to its Google listing (photo below).

Chick-fil-A has additional MoCo locations in Bethesda, Gaithersburg (Kentlands), Germantown, Olney, Rockville, and Silver Spring. Prograss Labs will also be home to MoCo’s first Sheetz.

Gaithersburg

Shake Shack Opens Kentlands Location Today

By MCS Staff

Published May 3, 2023 at 7:09AM | Updated May 3, 2023 at 7:57AM

Shake Shake officially opens its Kentlands location in Gaithersburg today. The burger chain has hosted friends & family and training events since Monday, but today will be the restaurant’s first day opening to the public. Shake Shack has additional MoCo locations at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda and Cabin John Village in Potomac. The restaurant will be open from 10:30am until 9pm and offers a variety of burgers, fries, and other items.

Background: On July 8, 2021, Shake Shack was granted approval for the construction of a 4,700 square foot building with outdoor seating as the second of three commercial infill sites totaling 16,000 square feet along Kentlands Square Place. The burger chain was granted its license to sell beer and wine on the premises during its Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) hearing on January 6th of 2022, and prepared to break ground in February. Construction began in March, but stalled after flooding that occurred over the summer. The approval was for the first of three infill sites was granted for the construction of a 2,100 square foot Starbucks building with drive through and outdoor seating. Starbucks opened in January of 2021, a little over two years ago.

Gaithersburg

Revised Plan For Four-Story Buildings Totaling 152 Units Returns to Planning Commission in Gaithersburg Today

By MCS Staff

Published May 3, 2023 at 6:50AM

MBW and Haris Design and Construction Co. submitted Concept Site Plan application (SP-9149-2021) on December 16, 2021, to demolish the buildings located at 9, 11, and 15 Park Avenue and 201 Brookes Avenue in anticipation of redevelopment into a pair of four-story multifamily buildings totaling 151 units with 182 parking spaces. The Planning Commission deferred the Concept Site Plan at its December 7 meeting. The revised plan will return to the Planning Commission today, May 3.

The Historic District Commission initially reviewed SP-9149-2021 at its June 22, 2022 meeting for potential historic or architectural significance. The application was deferred to its next meeting so the HDC could receive more historical information on the properties. At its July 27 meeting, the HDC determined there was reasonable probability 9, 11, 13, and 15 Park Avenue and 201 Brookes Avenue could be locally designated as an historic district, or, in the alternative, 9 and 15 Park Avenue and 201 Brookes Avenue could be locally designated as individual sites. The HDC directed Staff to prepare a petition resolution to the Mayor and City Council, and the HDC approved the resolution at its August 24 meeting. At its October 3 meeting, the City Council voted not to accept the HDC’s petition to designate the properties as historic. The HDC provided a nonbinding courtesy review of the Concept Site Plan (SP-9149-2021) at its October 26 meeting.

Potomac

Baskin Robbins Opens Potomac Woods Plaza Location on May 7

By MCS Staff

Published May 3, 2023 at 6:37AM

Permanent signage went up last month at the new Baskin Robbins at 1079 Seven Locks Rd in Potomac Woods Plaza, located in the space that was previously home to Ibhana Creations. Baskin Robbins has now set an opening date of Sunday, May 7th.

Last February, Baskin Robbins closed its doors at Cabin John Village and announced its plans to open in the nearby Potomac Woods Plaza shopping center this spring. Baskin Robbins was replaced in Cabin John Village by The Scoop, which was opened this past August by Timothy and Mitch Ryoo– Potomac natives and Winston Churchill High School Graduates (2010 and 2006). Baskin Robbins will also be opening a location later this year in the Montgomery Village Center.

Maryland

Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources Continues Snakehead Tagging Program, Providing Cash Incentive for Anglers

By MCS Staff

Published May 3, 2023 at 6:21AM

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is continuing a northern snakehead tagging program in an effort to spur removal of invasive fish from our waters. This spring, up to 500 tags will be put on snakeheads from Gunpowder River, upper Chesapeake Bay tributaries, and Mattawoman and Nanjemoy creeks of Potomac River.

Crime

Montgomery County Man Charged With Fatal Shooting That Occurred in February

By MCS Staff

Published May 2, 2023 at 10:31PM

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit identified and charged a man in connection with a fatal shooting in February. The suspect is 25-year-old Luis Marquez of Silver Spring. He’s charged with murdering 38-year-old Maurice Chase Jr. of Takoma Park.

Per PGCPD: On February 20, 2023, at approximately 12:40 am, officers responded to the 6700 block of New Hampshire Avenue for a shooting in the unincorporated section of Takoma Park. Officers located the victim inside of an apartment building suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to the hospital where he died several hours later. The preliminary investigation revealed the suspect shot the victim during an altercation. Marquez is charged with first and second degree murder and additional charges. He is in custody of the Department of Corrections. Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 301-516-2512.

WMATA

More Service Coming to the Red Line During Weekday Rush Hours Starting Monday, May 8

By MCS Staff

Published May 2, 2023 at 6:52PM

Per WMATA: Starting Monday, May 8, Red Line trains will arrive every six minutes during the busiest weekday periods from 6 – 9 a.m. and 3 – 7 p.m. The change will help relieve crowding during rush hours when Red Line trains are at or near capacity. During the midweek 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. hours most trains between Union Station and Metro Center have more than 90 people packed in each railcar, with some trains reaching 150 passengers per car.

Outside of peak periods, Red Line trains will continue to run every 8 minutes during the daytime and evening hours, and every 10 minutes after 9:30 p.m. seven days a week. Metrorail ridership continues to show strong growth month-over-month as service improves. In April, average weekday ridership hit 324,500, a pandemic-era high and 50 percent of pre-pandemic ridership during the same period.