Bethesda

MD 355 Flash BRT Project Update

By MCS Staff

A briefing on the MD 355 BRT was provided to the Gaithersburg Mayor and City Council on Tuesday night. Per the presentation, available below, the MD 355 BRT will provide a new transit service with greater travel speed and frequency along the MD 355 corridor that will help:

The MD 355 BRT has completed the Preliminary Engineering phase between Grosvenor and Montgomery
 College – Germantown. Preliminary Engineering is continuing for the Bethesda and Clarksburg segments (Fall 2023 completion), NEPA documentation is underway, there is ongoing coordination with FTA, and they are currently preparing procurement for Progressive Design-Build. Full presentation below:

Go to MD 355 Flash BRT Project Update Read more

Scotland’s Juneteenth Festival Presents Wyclef, Many Others; Freedom Concert Moves to Anthem in DC 

By MCS Staff

Organizers of the widely expanded Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival will hold a final press conference on Wednesday, June 14, at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Club at 7719 Wisconsin Ave to showcase the more than 20 performing acts that will appear across four main venues on June 17th and the 19th. Those performances include: 1) the opening-night Motown and Oldies Concert and Dance Party beginning at 7 p.m. at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Club; 2) Juneteenth’s Got Talent music and dance performances at the Cabin John Village in Potomac from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; 3) the Children’s Stage at the Cabin John Regional Park at Potomac from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; and the Freedom Day Concert at the Anthem theater at the Wharf in DC.

Freedom Day Concert co-headliner Tarrus Riley will appear at the press conference via ZOOM, while internaTonal superstar Wyclef Jean will be issuing an exclusive video statement about why he is lending his name and talents to this fesTval in honor of the Black communities of Montgomery County in Maryland. Other musicians expected to abend in person include Daryl Davis, the nationally renowned keyboard player who will serve as the music director for the festival’s opening-night. Bill Wax, a master of ceremonies for that same event, will also abend the press conference, as will Montgomery County elected officials.

Go to Scotland’s Juneteenth Festival Presents Wyclef, Many Others; Freedom Concert Moves to Anthem in DC  Read more

Bethesda’s Eastern Union Closes $75 Million in Financing Within A 40-Day Period

By MCS Staff

Based in Bethesda, MD, the Eastern Union’s Mid-Atlantic Group secured more than $75 million in commercial financing within a 40-day period over May and June. Financing was delivered within the multifamily, single-family rental, retail, and industrial asset classes. Eastern Union is one of the country’s largest commercial real estate brokerage firms.

The largest transaction closed by the Mid-Atlantic office during this time span was a $49.5-millionconstruction loan provided to New York-based Hillcrest Acquisitions in support of a planned 288-unit multifamily property in Madison, AL, a submarket of Huntsville. The complex, called The Gabriel, will consist of ten three-story buildings and is scheduled for completion in July 2024. The financing, carrying a 36-month term, was provided by 3650 REIT.

Go to Bethesda’s Eastern Union Closes $75 Million in Financing Within A 40-Day Period Read more

Black Bear Spotted in Rockville Tuesday Morning

By MCS Staff

Yesterday we received two reports of a black bear that was spotted in the Rockville area. This morning at 6:15, a Rockville resident spotted a black bear in a tree in a Rockville neighborhood near Horizon Hills park. A black bear was also spotted around 7:50am a couple miles away in nearby Willerburn Acres in Potomac, but it is not clear if it’s the same bear. The Rockville City Police Department tweeted the following on Tuesday morning: “Community Alert – Black Bear Sighting – In the area of W. Kersey Ln, Sunrise Dr & Bent Pine Ct at 6:00 am today. RCPD is working with DNR to alert of sightings. Please call RCPD at 240-314-8900 if you see the bear. Stay alert, calm & do not approach or attempt to capture.” According to neighbors, animal control is now on the scene.

Last week a black bear was spotted in Burtonsville and last month there were multiple bear sightings in Chevy Chase, Kensington, and Rockville, with one bear that was trapped and relocated by the Rockville City Police Department and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on May 8th.

Go to Black Bear Spotted in Rockville Tuesday Morning Read more

Pines of Rome to Open Second MoCo Location (Pines of Rome Express) After Over 50 Years in Business

By MCS Staff

Last year, we let you know that Pines of Rome, a Bethesda staple for over 50 years, tabbed WashUrban to spearhead their first ever search for a second location. Pines of Rome has found a home for its newest venture, Pines of Rome Express, according to the restaurant’s website. It will be located at 121B Congressional Lane– the former home of Congressional Deli, a representative from the restaurant confirmed. The new restaurant is located beside/behind Mykonos Grill and near Bed Bath& Beyond.

The original restaurant, which will remain open, is located at 4918 Cordell Ave. in Bethesda. Pines of Rome moved to the location in 2017 and was previously located at 4709 Hampden Lane, opening in 1972.  The restaurant is known for its extremely popular white pizza, spaghetti & meatballs, and other traditional Italian dishes.

Go to Pines of Rome to Open Second MoCo Location (Pines of Rome Express) After Over 50 Years in Business Read more

Portion of Old Georgetown Rd CLOSED Until Approximately 3pm on Sunday, June 11th

By MCS Staff

Beginning Friday, June 9th, 2023 at 10:00pm, United Crane and Rigging will perform a mobile crane operation on Old Georgetown Road at 7607 Old Georgetown Road from Wisconsin Avenue to Woodmont Avenue. Weather and progress permitting, all work should be complete no later than 3PM on Sunday June 11th, 2023. In case of inclement weather, the job will push to a Saturday, June 10th start. During this time, there will be a full closure on Old Georgetown Road, Crews will be onsite to assist with safely detouring traffic.

During the overnight and early morning hours of each operation, they will keep noise levels as low as possible. Traffic Engineering Services will direct pedestrian and vehicular traffic during all work hours.

Go to Portion of Old Georgetown Rd CLOSED Until Approximately 3pm on Sunday, June 11th Read more

Two Areas in Montgomery County Make “Safest Suburbs in the U.S.” List, Per Report

By MCS Staff

According to Smart Asset, described as a financial technology company that publishes articles to help people make smart financial decisions”, “People often opt to move to the suburbs for myriad reasons – space, affordability, schools, employment and sometimes to seek safety. Violent and nonviolent crime rates, roadway safety, and drug and alcohol abuse within a community can affect the quality of life for an individual and family alike.”

SmartAsset analyzed safety data for 370 suburbs of the 100 largest cities – and also compared the affordability of the safest areas. Two areas in Montgomery County were in the Top 12, with nearby Great Falls, VA listed as #1. Below are the MoCo suburbs that have made the list:

Go to Two Areas in Montgomery County Make “Safest Suburbs in the U.S.” List, Per Report Read more

Bowlero Reaches Agreement to Acquire Lucky Strike

By MCS Staff

Bowlero Corp. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of Lucky Strike Entertainment, LLC, the upscale bowling company with 14 locations across nine states. Bowlero owns Bowl America on Clopper Road in Gaithersburg and Bowlero Rockville on Shady Grove Rd in Gaithersburg. The acquisition adds the Lucky Strike brand, which has a Montgomery County location in Bethesda’s Montgomery Mall, and all other locations to Bowlero Corp.’s portfolio of bowling centers in North America, furthering its position as a leader in bowling entertainment. Bowlero will acquire the Lucky Strike business in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $90 million. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of Bowlero’s Fiscal Year 2024, and is subject to customary closing conditions. Additional information below, courtesy of the press release:

Thomas Shannon, Founder and CEO of Bowlero Corp., said, “Lucky Strike is a premier experiential entertainment brand, and we could not be more excited to add its world-class portfolio to ours. Lucky Strike’s impressive family of locations in flagship cities across the country naturally complements our national footprint, immediately launching our presence in major cities like Boston, Chicago and Denver.”

Go to Bowlero Reaches Agreement to Acquire Lucky Strike Read more

Legendary Churchill Lacrosse Coach, Jeff Fritz, Steps Down After 30 Years

By MCS Staff

Last year, Winston Churchill High School in Potomac celebrated Jeff Fritz’s 300th victory as head boys lacrosse coach at the school and became the first Montgomery County lacrosse team (boys or girls) to ever win a State Championship. Following another successful season in 2023, Coach Fritz has announced that he’ll be stepping down as coach.

Churchill boys lacrosse won the 2022 Maryland 4A State Championship, after defeating Anne Arundel County powerhouse Broadneck 15-7 in the championship. This stories season was memorable for many reasons, as coach Fritz was celebrated for winning his 300th game. Churchill welcomed Montgomery County Councilmember and alumnus Andrew Friedson to the school’s game against Sherwood High School. At halftime Councilmember Friedson presented his old lacrosse coach with a Proclamation from Montgomery County for Coach Fritz’s 300th career win. Churchill boys lacrosse finished 13-0 in 2022.

Go to Legendary Churchill Lacrosse Coach, Jeff Fritz, Steps Down After 30 Years Read more
View More Stories