Author: MCS Staff

Traffic

Temporary Bus Stop Closure: Wheaton Bus Loop, 8/22/22-1/22/23

By MCS Staff

Per our traffic and public safety reporter, Cordell Pugh, the Wheaton Bus Loop has reinforced concrete pavement instead of asphalt. Project may also include replacing the reinforcing steel (“rebar”) and/or an entirely new subbase (graded and compacted base layer [usually gravel] under the concrete). Concrete work does take longer than asphalt resurfacing. When installed correctly, however, concrete outperforms asphalt pavement, especially under enhanced stress from continuous presence of heavy vehicles (buses etc).

Per WMATA: Advisory Effective: 8/22/22 – 1/22/23

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Gaithersburg

Wawat’s The Hold Up? Latest Update on MoCo’s First Wawa Location

By MCS Staff

We first let you know the news of Wawa’s first planned MoCo location in May of 2019.  Since then, the first MoCo Royal Farms was announced, constructed, and opened in Gaithersburg. Recently, the first MoCo Sheetz location was announced. So what’s the hold up with Wawa?

The convenience store/gas station will be taking over the old Becraft Antiques location on 355, across from Gaithersburg High School at 405 S Frederick Ave. Nearly 3 years after its announcement, in March 2022, fencing went up and the building was demolished has in preparation for construction start. Construction appeared to be imminent, but hasn’t begun nearly 5 months after demolition. Today we were informed that the City of Gaithersburg is waiting for a resubmission from Wawa. The final site plan was previously approved by the Planning Commission on December 1, 2021, so it appears that the ball is in Wawa’s court. Construction for the recently opened Royal Farms location in Gaithersburg took just under one year from start to opening day, so we still expect a 2023 opening for Wawa if construction begins this year.

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Gaithersburg

Rio Lakefront Ranked #10 in National ‘Top 10 Retail Experiences’ List

By MCS Staff

Chain Store Age, one of the nation’s leading provider of retail news and analysis for retail headquarters executives across all sectors of the industry, has recently released part of its list of 2022’s ‘Top 10 Retail Experiences’ and MoCo’s very own Rio Lakefront came in at #10. CSA reports on and analyzes trends and strategies in all areas of store operations and store development, including technology, marketing, human resources, finance, store design & construction, facilities management and real estate. They are releasing the top 10 one at a time with only numbers 10 and 9 currently available, so it’s unknown if any other MoCo retail centers will be included on the list.

According to the article, “This year it has put the finishing touches on its transmogrification of RIO, a 610,000-sq.-ft. center in Gaithersburg, a suburb north of the nation’s capital that mixes White House Black Market, Target, and two Marriott hotels with eateries like Yard House, Silver Diner, and True Food Kitchen on the shoreline of a 9-acre lake.“The lake is a unique attraction that has worked great for our food and beverage offerings, which have outdoor seating lakeside,” said Paul Weinschenk, Peterson’s president of retail.”

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Montgomery College

Montgomery College Seeks Board of Trustees Member

By MCS Staff

The nominating committee for the Montgomery College Board of Trustees (BOT) is accepting applications to serve a six-year term beginning July 1, 2023. Montgomery College is a public, open-admissions community college, with campuses in Rockville, Germantown, and Takoma Park/Silver Spring and Workforce Development & Continuing Education centers throughout the county. The College serves nearly 43,000 students annually and offers a broad range of academic and training programs and support services with state-of-the-art technology through its 144 degree and certificate programs.

The Board of Trustees, as the fiduciary institutional governance body, has the essential responsibilities and obligations to:

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DMV

Metropolitan Restaurant Week Takes Place August 15-21

By MCS Staff

With some of the nation’s best known chefs, restaurateurs and rising culinary stars helming eateries in our region, Metropolitan DC is known for its restaurants. Several Montgomery County restaurants will be participating (they can be searched by area at the restaurant week website). Per the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, “one of the most highly anticipated food-related programs in the region, Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week is a week-long celebration of area restaurants and the diversity of world-class cuisine. Local diners know that Restaurant Week is more than just a “deal” – it is an opportunity to experience new flavors, explore restaurants in different neighborhoods or visit old favorites. For visitors to the area, it’s an opportunity to experience many of the best of our regional restaurants without breaking the bank.”

Restaurants in the promotion offer 3-course menus for lunch at $25, dinners for $40 and $55, or if you love a good brunch, enjoy menus at $25. Participating restaurants use the promotion as an opportunity to “WOO” new patrons and “WOW” returning patrons. 90% of surveyed Restaurant Week diners say they are likely to return to their Restaurant Week picks and even more say they’ll recommend them to others. On the official Restaurant Week site, RWDMV.COM, diners can view the full list of participating locations, make reservations, view menus and sign up for RW Diner Rewards.

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Education

MCPS Back To School: Important Dates to Remember For The 2022-2023 School Year

By MCS Staff

Students are heading back to school later this month with teachers reporting on August 22nd for Pre-Service. August 22nd-26th will serve as professional days for teachers. Prior to the first day of school for students, MCPS is holding a Back-To-School Fair at Westfield Wheaton, and most students will be returning to school on Monday, August 29th (Only Arcola Elementary School and Roscoe Nix Elementary School follow the Innovative School calendar). Below you will see important dates to remember for the 2022-2023 school year:

2022

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Takoma Park

Takoma Park Library Closing on August 24 For Major Remodel/Expansion; Community Meeting Scheduled For August 22

By MCS Staff

The Takoma Park Library, Computer Center, and Community Center will undergo a major remodel and expansion project in Fall 2022 (video rendering available below). Wednesday, August 24, 2022, will be the last day to visit the Library and Computer Center before we relocate to a temporary space for the duration of construction. In preparation for the project, staff housed in the Library and Computer Center must be removed from the building no later than August 31,2022. Staff in the Recreation Department offices and game room must be removed from the building by approximately January or February of 2023. A definitive date will be provided no later than 1 month prior to the actual move date.

The Takoma Park Maryland Library (Library) and Computer Center are housed in the Takoma Park Community Center building. The campus address is 101 Philadelphia Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912. The Library is connected to the Community Center building by an indoor walkway. The Library and Computer Center occupy a single story and approximately 12,000 square feet. The Recreation Department is adjacent to the Computer Center at 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912 and is approximately 2200 square feet.

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Crime

Detectives From Gaithersburg Police Department Are Investigating Monday Afternoon Stabbing

By MCS Staff

UPDATE: Detectives from the Gaithersburg Police Department – Investigative Section have arrested and charged 61-years-old, Ricky Stevens of Gaithersburg, MD with First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault and Reckless Endangerment. Ricky Stevens was transported to the Central Processing Unit and is being held without bond.

Per the Gaithersburg Police Department: Detectives from the Gaithersburg Police Department – Investigative Section are investigating a stabbing that occurred in the 18700 block of N. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg.

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North Potomac

Hangry Joe’s in Travilah Square Sets Opening Date

By MCS Staff

Update: Opening date has been pushed back to Monday, August 15th, according to a new sign on the door.

The first announced Hangry Joe’s in MoCo (Wheaton already opened, but was announced later) will open in the Travilah Square shopping center on Saturday, August 13th, according to a sign placed on the front door.

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Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg Home Depot is Available Through 13.5-Year NNN Lease

By MCS Staff

A recent listing on LoopNet, an online marketplace for commercial real estate, shows that the Home Depot located at 15740 Shady Grove Rd. in the 270 Center in Gaithersburg is available through a 13.5-year NNN lease. Per Investopedia, “a triple net lease (triple-net or NNN) is a lease agreement on a property whereby the tenant or lessee promises to pay all the expenses of the property, including real estate taxes, building insurance, and maintenance. These expenses are in addition to the cost of rent and utilities. In contrast, in standard commercial lease agreements, some or all of these payments are typically the responsibility of the landlord.” Home Depot and Best Buy have anchored the property since its inception in 1994. An Amazon Fresh grocery store is expected to open in September.

Per the listing: CBRE’s National Retail Partners and Net Lease Property Group are pleased to present the opportunity to purchase a 13.5 Year NNN Home Depot in Gaithersburg, MD, one of the most affluent and sought-after markets in the nation. Home Depot is a co-anchor of 270 Center, an extraordinary shopping destination shadow-anchored by a powerful mix of destination retailers including Best Buy, Nordstrom Rack, and soon, a brand new Amazon Fresh grocer. The property benefits from a solid lineup of destination shadow anchors featuring high historical occupancy, impressive sales, and long-term leases. Nordstrom Rack has been at the property for ±10 years and is ranked the 2nd busiest Nordstrom Rack in the state of Maryland by customer foot traffic. Best Buy has co-anchored the property since its inception in 1994. The property benefits from a solid lineup of destination shadow anchors featuring high historical occupancy, impressive sales, and long-term leases.

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