Per MCDOT: “Due to scheduled maintenance, Metrorail will shut down between Grosvenor and Shady Grove stations on Saturday, Dec. 9 through Sunday, Dec. 10. Shady Grove, Rockville, Twinbrook and North Bethesda stations will be closed. WMATA will be providing express shuttles to/from Grosvenor and Shady Grove and local shuttles with service to all stations. (more…)
Introducing the brand new TasteMoCo Passport! Approximately $300 worth of gift passes and free items, all for just $25! (more…)
Rosenfeld Investments proposal for the redevelopment of Loehmann’s Plaza at 5200 Randolph Rd. in Rockville was approved by the Montgomery Planning Board on Thursday, November 9.
Per Maryland State Police: “Maryland State Police are investigating a crash, in which a trooper was injured, Tuesday evening in Montgomery County.
Per MCPD: ” Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police-2nd District Patrol Investigations Unit have obtained a composite sketch of a suspect who sexually assaulted one woman and assaulted and attempted to rob a second woman, on Thursday, September 14, 2023.
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This past summer we reported that signage was up for No Regrets Pizza Co. at 5454 Nicholson Lane, on the lower level of the Harwood Flats apartment building in North Bethesda.
Per MCPD: “Officers from the 2nd District Patrol Services Bureau are investigating a theft at the LensCrafters store in the 900 block of Rose Ave. Officers have released surveillance video of the suspects and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying them. (more…)
Chuck E. Cheese is now open at 5238 Nicholson Ln in North Bethesda/Rockville. Chuck E. Cheese was previously located at 5270 Randolph Rd in Loehmann’s Plaza before moving to its new, larger location in White Flint Plaza, taking over the space that was previously home to Retro Fitness. The location is one of the first in the area to feature Chuck E. Cheese’s new trampoline park. There will be a grand opening celebration on Thursday, November 9 from 5-7pm that will feature free cake and the chance to win a free birthday party.
Chuck E. Cheese has an additional Montgomery County location at 1127 University Blvd E in Takoma Park. The children’s indoor entertainment arcade also had a location in Gaithersburg that closed in 2020 after being in business at Gaithersburg Square for over 30 years. Per the Biz Journals report, the new location will “feature a 17-foot digital wall and other technological advances over the older locations. There will still be some Chuck E. Cheese mainstays, including things like skee-ball, air hockey, and, of course, pizza.” The Rockville location has also matched pre-2019 numbers this year, hosting 289 birthday parties.
Rosenfeld Investments has proposed the redevelopment of Loehmann’s Plaza at 5200 Randolph Rd. in Rockville, and the sketch plan will be going in front of the Montgomery Planning Board on Thursday, November 9. The plan (renderings below) includes 710,000 square feet of residential uses and up to 40,000 square feet of commercial uses for a cumulative density of up to 750,000 square feet of mixed-use development, with 15% Moderately Priced Dwelling Units (MPDUs), open space, pedestrian and bicycle improvements, and associated public benefits to support the requested incentive density.
Summary: Planning Staff recommends approval of the Sketch Plan with conditions. The proposal will transform the existing shopping center with surface parking and a one-story brick building pad site into a mixed-used development with retail. Under the Optional Method of development, the Applicant requests approval for up to 710,000 square feet of residential use (currently estimated to be up to 680 dwelling units) with 15% MPDUs and up to 40,000 square feet of commercial use.
Full build out of the development is proposed across multiple phases. In the first phase, the Applicant proposes new townhouses, a grocery store of approximately 23,000 square feet in the central part of the existing retail building, and a revision to the loading area. The Plan proposes the extension of existing surrounding public roads, a new private road, alleys, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Public benefit points are proposed across six (6) categories: major public facilities; transit proximity; connectivity and mobility; diversity of uses and activities; quality building and site design; and protection and enhancement of the natural environment.
The full sketch plan can be seen here.
HESS construction has made plenty of progress at the upcoming Woodward High School at 11211 Old Georgetown Rd in Rockville, which will be used as a holding school/facility for current Northwood High School while their new high school building will be built between September 2024 and August 2027. Charles E. Woodward High School originally opened in 1966 and closed in 1987, when the decision to merge with Walter Johnson High School was made. Tilden Middle School moved into the previous building in 1991, where it remained until the new school opened a few years back. Photos of the progress of the new building, per HESS construction, can be seen below. The completed Woodward High School will officially reopen as its own school in September 2027, following a boundary study to determine which students will be attending the school.
On March 28, 2023, the Board of Education approved the boundary study scope to create the service area for the reopening of Charles W. Woodward High School. The scope of the boundary study includes the following high schools: Bethesda Chevy-Chase, Montgomery Blair, Albert Einstein, Walter Johnson, John F. Kennedy, Northwood, Wheaton, and Walt Whitman. The scope also includes the following middle schools: Argyle, Eastern, A. Mario Loieder- man, Newport Mill, North Bethesda, Parkland, Thomas W. Pyle, Odessa Shannon, Silver Creek, Silver Spring International, Sligo, Takoma Park, Tilden, and Westland. No elementary schools are included in the boundary study. The boundary study process (community meetings, option development, feedback) is scheduled to take place between early 2024 and fall 2024. The boundary study report is scheduled to be released in early 2025, and the superintendent’s recommendation is scheduled to be released in winter 2025, followed by Board of Education work sessions, public hearings, and action on the superintendent’s recommendation.
As part of the recommended FY 2025–2030 CIP, the completion date for the Northwood High School project is delayed one-year due to an extension of the construction timeline. As a result of Northwood High School remaining at Charles W. Woodward High School, its holding facility, for one additional year, the recommended completion date for the reopening of Charles W. Woodward High school is August 2027. A recommendation to adjust the timeline of the approved boundary study to align with the opening of Charles W. Woodward High School will be presented as part of the Board of Education’s worksessions on the FY 2025-2030 CIP. Recent updates can be seen below:
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Curb and gutter are now installed in the south parking lot area, circling where the paver will lay asphalt in the coming weeks.
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Sod is now planted in the courtyard.
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Metal panel work continues on the southeastern corner of the building and will push north.
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Bathroom fixtures are onsite and will be going up once doors are installed.
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The gym is now completely clear of materials, awaiting the gym floor manufacturer’s delivery.
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Our drywall contractor continues to finish drywall on the third floor moving down, allowing the painter to follow.
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The painter is pushing through the third floor, going from the top to the bottom of the building, allowing for the installation of our drop ceilings.
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The electrician, plumber, and HVAC specialists continue to work on finishes.
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The kitchen equipment is now installed and awaiting connection, as well as the equipment in the concession stand by the gym.
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The floor contractor has delivered their flooring and will begin install this month.
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The green roof has been planted on half of the roof and will be completely installed by the end of November.
The 16-story, state-of-the-art building at 915 Meeting Street in Pike & Rose has officially opened. It features 9,600 square feet of ground floor retail, approximately 25,000-square-feet of flexible floor plates and 700 dedicated parking spaces.
Designed by Gensler, the building incorporates a vibrant architectural design that includes numerous amenities, such as a rooftop conference center with collaborative common areas, WiredScore-targeted connectivity, a fitness center, and resource-efficient, sustainable wellness features. Choice Hotels International, Inc., along with Sodexo, will be relocating their headquarters to 915 Meeting Street. A new steakhouse by the founders of CAVA, Bouboulina, will also be opening in the building.
“Pike & Rose has everything employers and employees are looking for in office space today – convenient location with excellent regional access and world-class amenities both inside and outside of the building,” said Wendy Seher, the Choice’s president of the east coast region. “We are excited to add a company of the caliber of Choice Hotels to the growing list of leading firms that have chosen a Federal Realty office environment to help them attract quality talent and enhance their brands.” Sodexo pulled a permit toward a $5.59 million fitout of 51,907 square feet at the North Bethesda building.
Featured Photo Credit: Rodney Choice
