Montgomery Planning

Community Invited to Workshops for University Boulevard Corridor Plan

By MCS Staff

Workshops in April and May will discuss opportunities and challenges for the plan area. The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, is inviting the community to attend a series of workshops for the University Boulevard Corridor Plan. The meetings will be held in a workshop format and will feature staff presentations on existing conditions followed by facilitated discussions on topics such as housing, land use, parks and open spaces, and neighborhood aspirations for the plan area. The workshops comprise of two in-person meetings and two virtual meetings for two different geographic areas along the University Boulevard Corridor plan area to allow a more focused conversation on specific parts of the plan area.

I-495 to Dennis Avenue Workshop: Focused on the University Boulevard Corridor plan area, from I-495 to Dennis Avenue

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Gaithersburg

Shake Shack Kentlands Finalizes Opening Date; First Look

By MCS Staff

Permanent signage has been up for a few months at the upcoming Shake Shake location in Gaithersburg’s Kentlands neighborhood. A representative from the Potomac location previously let us know that the Kentlands location was scheduled to open at the end of April, but the burger chain has posted a notice on the door of its upcoming location stating that it will open on Wednesday, May 3 (photos below). Shake Shack has additional MoCo locations at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda and Cabin John Village in Potomac.

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.

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WMATA

Metro Transit Police Leaders Part of International Inaugural Class to Graduate From DC Police Leadership Academy

By MCS Staff

Per WMATA: After working together with law enforcement leaders from across the world over the last three months, Captain Aaron Donald and Lieutenant Michael Bradshaw of the Metro Transit Police Department graduated from the inaugural class of the DC Police Leadership Academy (DCPLA) hosted by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

The class of approximately 70 rising law enforcement leaders included participants from across the US and representatives from Germany, Canada, Netherlands, and England. The three-week program was broken into two sessions. Participants engaged in shaping the future of policing by developing their personal leadership abilities through discourse and interactive activities.

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Dickerson

Brush Fire Closes CRX/Marc Railroad Tracks Wednesday Morning

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) were called to the scene of a brush fire in the area of Beallsville Rd and Hillside Ln, along the the CSX railroad tracks, in Dickerson shortly before 6am on Wednesday morning.

According to a 7:26am update by MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the fire was contained and extinguished with crews getting ready to clear out. There were no injuries and likely “some deer have to be re-located & a few woodchucks are displaced & maybe a raccoon or two, as well…”, but the tracks are still shut down as of 7:30am.

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Education

Maryland Center for School Safety Art Showcase and Competition

By MCS Staff

The 2023 School Safety Conference hosted by the Maryland Center for School Safety (MCSS) will include a “School Safety Art Showcase” for Maryland students in grades 3 – 12.  Conference attendees will select a winning elementary, middle and high school level submission at the conference.

Students enrolled in a Maryland public, nonpublic, and private school, as well as home-school students, are encouraged to submit their artwork answering the question “What does your school safety community look like?”, no later than May 31, 2023 using the link bit.ly/SchoolSafetyShowcase. Additional questions can be directed by email to [email protected] ,or by phone at 443-388-7010. Courtesy of MCPS.

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Education

SMOB Election Day is on Wednesday, April 19

By MCS Staff

Per MCPS: On Wednesday, April 19, 2023, middle and high school students from across MCPS will vote on the next Student Member of the Board of Education. The two finalists are Mr. Sami Saeed (Junior, Richard Montgomery High School) and Mr. Yoseph Zerihun (Junior, Springbrook High School). Learn more about each candidate by viewing the official Voter’s Guide:

View the Meet the SMOB Candidates Video to learn more about the candidates and their stances on a few key issues for students. Students can check their emails from [email protected] on April 19, 2023. The ballot will be open on that day between 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM. The video below allows you to “meet the candidates”:

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Arts

Magruder Alumnus Gbenga Akinnagbe Now On Hit STARZ Series Power Book II: Ghost

By MCS Staff

Actor Gbenga Akinnagbe has starred in many high-profile roles, bursting onto the scene as Chris Partlow for 30 episodes in HBO’s The Wire (2002-2008). The MoCo native and Magruder High School alumnus recently made his debut on the STARZ hit show Power Book II: Ghost, playing the role of billionaire Ron Samuel Jenkins (RSJ).

Akinnagbe grew up in Montgomery County and has stated that he was in and out of the Mark Twain School in Rockville, an alternative school that operated under than name until 2009 for students with consistent behavioral or attendance issues. When he got to Magruder on a permanent basis, Akinnagbe joined the wrestling team. “Fast forward a couple of years to when I was in Magruder full-time, and I started wrestling then. I was fortunate. I was really good at it, and I was recruited Division I the next year, my senior year to Bucknell to wrestle.” he said in a Washington Post interview in 2008.

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Education

MCPS Educational Foundation Announces 194 Inaugural Recipients of the Rales-O’Neill $10,000 Scholarship

By MCS Staff

The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Educational Foundation has announced 194 recipients of the 2023 Ruth and Norman Rales-Patricia Baier O’Neill Scholarship Recognizing Academic Excellence. These prestigious scholarships are being provided to high-achieving MCPS graduating seniors across all 25 high schools in Montgomery County. The recipients will each receive $10,000 to help ease the financial burden of attending college.

Last September, the Rales Foundation announced a $10 million, five-year commitment to the MCPS Educational Foundation, the largest donation ever to the Foundation, to provide up to 200 $10,000 scholarships per year to high-achieving MCPS graduating seniors from low-to-moderate income households, beginning in 2023. The donation was made to honor the lives and contributions of Ruth and Norman Rales and Patricia Baier O’Neill, who died in September 2021 after having served the longest tenure in the history of the Montgomery County Board of Education.

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I-270

Traffic Stopped on Northbound I-270 Due to Vehicle Fire

By MCS Staff

All traffic currently stopped (9:00pm) on northbound I-270 after Exit 12, Watkins Mill Rd, due to a vehicle fire. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) and Montgomery County Police is currently on the scene. Featured photo and video below by Instagram user @lxl.d

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cq6rRlKgkAz/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

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Gaithersburg

Copper Canyon Grill is Requesting Approval For 1,012 SF Covered Dining Pier in the Rio Lake

By MCS Staff

Copper Canyon Grill (100 Boardwalk Place at Rio Lakefront) is requesting approval for a 1,012 square foot covered dining pier to be located in the RIO Lake. The Schematic Development Plan will add commercial as an allowed use on the RIO lake parcel. The restaurant currently has two locations in Montgomery County with the other in Downtown Silver Spring (928 Ellsworth Drive).

Per the City of Gaithersburg: The Joint Public Hearing is scheduled for Monday, May 1, 2023 in the City Hall Council Chambers at 31 South Summit Avenue. The public hearing is hybrid, where public comment can be accepted both in person or virtually. Further information may be obtained from the Planning and Code Administration, 31 South Summit Avenue between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, visiting the City’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/meetings, or calling 301-258-6330. The final agenda is posted to the City’s meeting agenda website Friday before the scheduled meeting and includes all background material.  Any questions or comments on the application should be directed to the Planning Department at [email protected] or 301-258-6330. Featured photo shows existing bridge at Rio Lakefront.

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Business

Gaithersburg Apartment Complex Sells For $46.1 Million

By MCS Staff

Acento Real Estate Group, previously known as Finesa Real Estate Group, has purchased the three-story, 238-unit Governor Square Apartments located at 409 Muddy Branch Rd in Gaithersburg. Acento is an investment management and operating company specializing in value-driven investment management strategies and property management services that’s headquartered at 8120 Woodmont Ave in Bethesda. The apartment complex was sold for $46.1 million according to a report by Maryland Newsletters.

The Governor Square Apartments were built in 1968 and offer leases for 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 23, 73, 97 months. The property boats of being “centrally located alongside the I-270 corridor, Governor Square is just minutes from excellent shopping, dining, and entertainment options, and commuting options. Our one, two and three-bedroom floorplans provide comforts designed with you in mind. Stop by Governor Square; we’re certain to have an apartment home that perfectly fits your lifestyle.”

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