Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded Monday evening around 7 pm to the Westchester West Apartments in the 3200 block of Hewitt Avenue in Aspen Hill for a reported apartment fire.
Emergency crews are responding Tuesday morning after a person was reportedly struck by a train at the Wheaton Metro Station.
Last week, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich signed legislation authorizing up to $420 million in tax increment financing bonds to help finance Viva White Oak, a $2.7 billion investment featuring more than 3 million square feet of lab space, office/medical office, retail, and over 4,400 quality residences. The 280-acre site, which is located adjacent to the FDA headquarters and near Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center, is expected to begin construction this fall.
“This is a project that has been discussed and planned for a long time, and now we are getting to the point where people will actually begin seeing it take shape,” said County Executive Elrich. “VIVA White Oak will bring thousands of homes, good jobs, restaurants, stores, and other amenities to an area of the County that has needed this level of investment for decades. We found a financing approach that allows us to build the infrastructure needed to make this development possible while using the new tax revenue generated by the project to repay the bonds. I appreciate the Council, our State partners, MCB, and especially the East County residents who kept pushing to get us to this point.”
Anchored by Costco and with a focus on innovation and research and development, Viva White Oak represents one of the largest development opportunities in Montgomery County in recent years. Once completed, the development is expected to generate $4.9 billion in annual economic output and give the County $21 million year in new revenue. Additionally, the new development is projected to generate 19,000 construction jobs and 9,000 permanent jobs.
“Viva White Oak demonstrates the County’s continued commitment to supporting growth and investment in Montgomery County,” said Jared Smith, President & CEO of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC). “The County’s first TIF gives us another important tool to compete for investment, attract businesses, and create jobs. Montgomery County has tremendous assets and opportunities, and using tools like this strategically will help us translate those strengths into long-term economic growth.”
Viva White Oak is expected to take place in two phases. In phase one, which is expected to be completed by 2031, it will deliver over 960 townhomes, 1,000 apartments, 470,000 square feet of retail space, a 175-room hotel with meeting space, up to 1,279 permanent on-site jobs, and 92,000 square feet of medical office space. Phase two, which will take place between 2033 and 2044, will deliver 1.3 million square feet of life sciences office and lab space, 400,000 square feet of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) life sciences manufacturing, almost 2,500 additional housing units delivered, a 150-room hotel dedicated to supporting innovation, and over 3,800 permanent on-site jobs.
Viva White Oak represents the County’s first use of a TIF and follows a push by Montgomery County to remove barriers and create new opportunities for businesses to invest, grow, and create jobs. In July, the Montgomery County Council approved the Job Creation Project zoning initiative, which is expected to cut permitting time in half for development projects that are in Montgomery County’s key industries—including life sciences and technology— or are expected to create at least 200 local jobs, further showcasing the County’s commitment to powering economic growth in target industries.
A new national report ranking the happiest cities in America places one Maryland city among the top 15 in the country.
Andrew Italia is a Quince Orchard High School graduate and MoCo resident. When he was in college at the University of Maryland, he was the movie critic for The Maryland Diamondback. During his time as the movie critic, he began making Oscar predictions for all 24 categories. His all-time record is 21 out of 24, but he usually falls in the 18-20 range. We recently shared his Top 12 Movies list for 2025. For more movies on Twitter/X, see @italia_budo
Blackbird Health has expanded into Maryland with a new pediatric mental health clinic in Gaithersburg, bringing additional behavioral health resources to children, teens, young adults, and families throughout Montgomery County.
Located at 555 Quince Orchard Road, Suite 250, the clinic offers comprehensive pediatric mental health services, including ADHD and autism evaluations, neuropsychological testing, therapy, psychiatry, and medication management.
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The Triumph Trek at the Rio is the ultimate celebration of strength, recovery and hope — and everyone is invited.
On Sunday, September 20, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation and Adventist HealthCare Home Care Services will gather at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg for an untimed walk-or-wheel around the accessible lakeside path. This is not a race. Scooters, wheelchairs, walkers, strollers and every pace are welcome, and no one finishes last.
The City of Gaithersburg, in partnership with The Peterson Companies and Rio, will host the 24th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade at Rio on Saturday, March 14.
A Rockville-based partnership has purchased two buildings in the Montgomery County Airpark area for $4.99 million, according to Maryland Newsletters.
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Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to the Rockshire neighborhood of Rockville on Monday afternoon for a vehicle fire on Monet Drive, off Hurley Avenue. (more…)
Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream, the beloved Bethesda-born creamery, has announced it will open its fourth Montgomery County location on Saturday, April 4, at 8551 Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase. The newest location will take over the storefront previously occupied by The Charmery. (more…)
The Montgomery County Council will meet Tuesday, March 10 at 9 am to hold proclamations, public hearings and introduce several legislative items, including a new zoning measure aimed at attracting major employers in strategic industries. (more…)
Pho28 Grill, a Vietnamese and pho restaurant that was originally expected to open in spring 2023, has now opened in Gaithersburg. (more…)
On Monday, Governor Wes Moore announced a proposed $3 million investment in his Fiscal Year 2027 budget to support economic development along the Purple Line corridor during a visit to the Flower Theatre in Silver Spring.