MoCo Government

Council President Gabe Albornoz to Hold Press Conference with County Leaders and Advocates on Food Security

By Patrick Herron

Council President Albornoz, at the request of the County Executive, recently introduced a bill to create an Office of Food Systems Resilience as a non-principal office of the Executive Branch. The Council approved funding to create this office as part of the FY23 Budget with a provision to enhance grant funding for food assistance programs and $4 million in one-time funding to continue to directly provide food to individuals and families in greatest need.

In addition, following a special appropriation led by Council President Albornoz to develop a county government Strategic Plan to Address Childhood Hunger, the Montgomery County Food Council will be serving as the project manager for this effort with the aim to build upon County-based strategies in the County Food Security Plan and the work of the County’s Food Security Task Force by incorporating feedback from stakeholders, subject matter experts and residents. The report will identify food access barriers and strategies to reduce food insecurity across all childhood age groups, develop recommendations to systemically address childhood hunger and identify metrics for success.

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North Potomac

Approval Recommended for ‘Shops at Travilah’ Development

By MCS Staff

Signs are up, and have been for a couple months, at the future site of the ‘Shops at Travilah’ development on the south side of Travilah Road, approximately 250 feet west of its intersection with Piney Meetinghouse Rd. Montgomery Planning Staff recommended approval with conditions earlier this year.

Shops at Travilah, Preliminary Plan No. 120210090 was submitted on February 24, 2021 by the Applicant, Travilah-WHM, LP (“Applicant”) to create one (1) lot on 1.96 acres of land in the NR Zone (Attachment A). The Preliminary Plan anticipates future standard method development totaling 18,443 square feet of non- residential uses, which will require a subsequent site plan approval. The development is proposed within two buildings: Building A will be a 5,681- square-foot building with approximately four units/bays will be erected on the northern half of the Property and contain a mix of neighborhood serving retail uses and/or a restaurant. Building B will be a 12,762 square foot day care building will be located on the southern half of the Subject Property. Approximately 9,468 square feet of outdoor space behind the daycare will be fenced to enclose a playground/recreation area.

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Silver Spring

Progress at 8787 Georgia Avenue, Which Includes the Future Location of MOM’s Organic Market, in Silver Spring

By MCS Staff

Back in September 2020, we reported on MOM’s Organic Market signing a lease with Bozzuto Development Co. and Stonebridge to take over the previous Montgomery Planning headquarters in Silver Spring. Since then construction has been ongoing at the new development, with plenty of work completed and plenty left to go (video below).

MOM’s Organic Market will be located on the ground floor of 8787 Georgia Ave. as part of the planned redevelopment of the Montgomery County government facility. Per a 2020 Biz Journals article, “MOM’s will anchor the redevelopment of a government facility in Silver Spring into a mix of retail and residential space that’s been in the works for nearly six years.”At the time of the original report of the lease signing, it was expected that MOM’s would not open for 1.5-3 years, which would have put the expected opening date between the first half of this year (2022) and mid-2023.

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Events

Where to Watch Fireworks in MoCo on July 4th

By MCS Staff

Coming off of two delayed fireworks shows at Gaithersburg’s SummerFest and Mid-County Sparkles in Kensington, there are still opportunities to watch fireworks in the county on July 4th. Three different public celebrations will take place in Germantown, Poolesville, and Rockville. Information on all three can be seen below:

General Information

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Event

Closing Reception at “Inspired!” Art Show & Sales

BlackRock Center for the Arts

12901 Town Commons Drive

Germantown, Maryland 20874

Website Contact Social

Beautiful venue; great art, gifts and hand-crafted items; refreshments; and meet the award-winning painters, photographers, mixed media artists, ceramicists, fiber artists, and more – some 40 artists in all. It’s an extraordinary array of framed wall works, 3-d media including sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, and fiber pieces, and unframed prints.

Among them, you’ll see:

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Rockville

Rockville Welcomes ‘Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisor’, Tyree Davis IV, to City Leadership

By MCS Staff
Rockville, MD

Per the City of Rockville: Tyree Davis IV joined the City of Rockville in May to help further the Mayor and Council’s priorities of establishing equity and inclusion as shared values throughout the community and the City of Rockville organization. Davis’ formal title is “Advisor to the City Manager for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.” This new position is the first of its kind in Rockville government and will be part of the City Manager’s Office, reporting directly to the city manager. He joined the City of Rockville on May 31, working virtually as he transitioned from Missouri to Maryland. His first day in person at Rockville City Hall was Wednesday, June 8. “Rockville Reports” asked him about the new role (seen below):

What did you do before joining the city?

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Olney

Olney Chick-Fil-A Introduces New Owner/Operator

By MCS Staff

Back in March, the  owner/operator of Olney’s Chick-Fil-A restaurant announced that he will be relocating to Georgia to open a new Chick-Fil-A in Savannah. In his letter to the community he wrote that a new owner would be in place by July and that the Chick-Fil-A corporate offices would be running the restaurant from April until then, asking for grace during the transition period. Earlier in the week, the restaurant introduced its new owner/operator, Arlington Duncan while thanking the interim manager who took over for the last 3 months.

The full message from Chick-Fil-A can be seen here: “Chick-fil-A Olney is excited to introduce our new owner/operator, Arlington Duncan. We are so appreciative of our interim manager, Nick, who helped guide our team during these past 3 months. We look forward to sharing more with the community about our new operator in the coming days! If you see Arlington (left) at the store, be sure to say hello and welcome him to Olney!”

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Gaithersburg

Washington Gas Project – Teachers Way and East Diamond Ave. (Gaithersburg)

By MCS Staff

Per the City of Gaithersburg: Part of the Washington Gas STRIDE program will include the installation of 2,952 feet of new gas line, replacement of 5 service connections and transferring of 21 service connections. The project area is along E. Diamond Ave from N. Summit Ave to Girard Street, as well as Teachers Way from N. Summit Ave to Girard Street. This project is scheduled to start in July of 2022.

 

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Chevy Chase

Urbano Mexican Fare to Open First Montgomery County Location Later This Year

By MCS Staff

Urbano Mexican Fare will be opening its first Montgomery County location when the restaurant opens inside of The Heights, an upcoming food hall scheduled to open in Chevy Chase later this year. Urbano, a restaurant by Common Plate Hospitality, has current locations in Virginia- Alexandria and Mosaic District in Fairfax. The new food hall will be opening in the space formerly occupied by Anthropologie and PF Chang’s on the 5400 block of Wisconsin Ave (Wisconsin Place).

Common Plate Hospitality opened the restaurant with chef Alam Méndez Florián- an Oaxacan chef from Mexico City. According to Eater DC, “the menu heavily features tacos, including vegetarian and fish varieties. Meat options feature a slow-cooked lamb barbacoa topped with morita chile salsa — similar to a chipotle — and avocado sauce. There are also several moles inspired by Méndez Florián’s mother, seafood ceviches, and even a walk-up window serving piping hot churros. Sparrow says there are plans to also sell tacos to-go”

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Chevy Chase

Turncoat, A Speakeasy Lounge With Its Own Hidden Entrance, Will be Included in ‘The Heights’ Food Hall

By MCS Staff

Approximately one year ago, we let you know that Common Plate Hospitality would be opening its first food hall in Maryland with The Heights Food Hall at Wisconsin Place. The new food hall will be opening in the space formerly occupied by Anthropologie and PF Chang’s on the 5400 block of Wisconsin Ave and will include Turncoat- a speakeasy, with its own hidden entrance. According to a report by Washingtonian, Turncoat will have its own hidden entrance that won’t actually be accessible from the main food hall. “The designers are looking to incorporate Chevy Chase Prohibition-era history (apparently train cars in the neighborhood transported bootleg liquor).”

Per a 2021 press release, “The Heights’ contemporary design consolidates the bright open space with white walls, art murals, charming textiles, modern lighting, and greenscaping to create a vibrant culinary oasis. Some creative concepts to join the Heights include eight food stalls that will feature a variety of international cuisine, a full-service bar, a speakeasy and Urbano @ The Heights – a contemporary Tex-Mex concept from Common Plate Hospitality”.

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Olney

Scratch Kitchen Olney Now Aiming for Late July Opening

By MCS Staff

In March we let you know that Scratch Kitchen & Bistro will be taking over the location that was formerly home to CB Acai and House of Fortune at 18062 Georgia Avenue in Olney. The new restaurant initially announced on Instagram that it planned to hold its grand opening on Sunday, May 15th, but a few permitting and construction delays pushed things back. Initially hoping to open in June, all permits have been approved and construction is ongoing. The restaurant now hopes to hold a soft opening on July 29th

Scratch Kitchen & Bistro is described as a family-owned bistro and cafe. It will serve breakfast and lunch classics made from locally sourced ingredients. Breakfast will be available all day, according to Scratch Kitchen’s Instagram account. CB Acai, the former tenant of the space, announced in November 2021 that it would be closing the Olney storefront and continue to operate its catering business and food truck. The acai bowl and smoothie spot first opened in July of 2020.

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