Horizon Therapeutics plc announced in January that it signed a long-term, full-building lease with Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. to be the first tenant at the Alexandria Center® at Traville Gateway campus in Rockville, Maryland. The 192,000-square foot building with a five-level parking garage containing up to 562 spaces is currently being constructed for Research and Development use at 9810 Darnestown Rd next to the Travilah Square shopping center.
When completed, the state-of-the-art facility will serve as the company’s primary East Coast research and development and technical operations hub. Construction at the nearly 200,000-square-foot site is underway and Horizon expects to start work on interior improvements in 2023. Additional terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“Maryland has one of the fastest growing biotechnology communities in the country with a world-class talent pool of scientists and researchers,” said Tim Walbert, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Horizon. “With this new facility we are more than quadrupling our current Marylandfootprint and creating a hub that will support job growth, drive our company’s continued efforts to develop new medicines for patients with rare, autoimmune and severe inflammatory diseases and meet the needs of our expanding pipeline. We look forward to expanding our presence in Maryland and appreciate the support from local, state and federal officials who recognize the economic and community value of the life science industry.”
“It is exciting news that Horizon Therapeutics has chosen Maryland for a significant expansion, which will enable the company to continue its important work in treating people impacted by rare, autoimmune and severe inflammatory diseases,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “It is a testament to our outstanding business climate and wealth of resources that we have seen so many life sciences companies expand and add thousands of new jobs in our state in recent years.”
Playa Bowls is having its Grand Opening on Saturday, November 20th at 11am and is offering free bowls and t-shorts to the first 50 customers in line.
This location, known as Playa Bowls Darnestown, is located in the Potomac Valley shopping center in the storefront that was recently home to Subway (12193 Darnestown Rd).
Playa Bowls, which offers Açaí Bowls, Pitaya, Coconut Bowls, smoothies, and more, opened its first store just over 6 years ago in the Jersey Shore and has since expanded to almost 100 locations.
The company has opened multiple locations in the DC area in recent years. In Montgomery County, they have opened in Potomac, MD (Cabin John Village), Kensington (Knowles Station) and most recently in Olney (Fair Hill).
The principals of Quince Orchard and Northwest high schools have sent a joint letter to the community regarding Friday’s football game between the two undefeated schools.
MCPS, in collaboration with the Montgomery County Police Department, has moved the game to 4:30pm on Friday “out of an abundance of caution for everyone’s safety and for the smooth operation of the entire event.”
See the letter below.
“Dear Quince Orchard and Northwest Communities,
We are thrilled to join all of you in our excitement for this Friday’s much anticipated varsity football game between Quince Orchard High School and Northwest High School. As we prepare for this Friday’s football game, it is important to remember that it is the responsibility of all who are present to model appropriate and respectful behavior.
To ensure we are collectively supporting the MCPS R.A.I.S.E. core values and our shared values at Quince Orchard and Northwest High Schools, Montgomery County Public Schools, in collaboration with the Montgomery County Police Department, has decided to move the game to 4:30 p.m. Gates will open for spectators beginning at 3:30 p.m. This decision is out of an abundance of caution for everyone’s safety and for the smooth operations of the entire event.
Additionally, and due to the anticipated size of the crowds, the administration of both schools would like all middle school and elementary school students and their families to know that they will not be allowed at the game unless they are accompanied by a parent/guardian. The staff at the game will be checking all students for identification and anyone in middle or elementary school who is not with a parent/adult will be turned away at the gate. The school administration would like families to know that the safety of all of our students is our top consideration.
The R.A.I.S.E. core values of the MCPS athletics program teach and reinforce respect and sportsmanship, academic excellence, integrity and character, spirited and safe competition and equity and access. It is expected that spectators reinforce these values by exhibiting appropriate behavior at athletic events. A condition of entry into an MCPS athletic event is that all spectators agree to recognize the event as an extension of the learning process and that all present have the responsibility to model appropriate behavior. The event is a unique opportunity for spectators to be a part of a positive and productive learning environment and to model behavior appropriate to a public school setting. It is important that all spectators, students and families conduct themselves in a manner which is befitting of Quince Orchard High School, Northwest High School and Montgomery County Public Schools.
We appreciate your cooperation and support as we work to maintain a safe school environment. We are excited for this much anticipated event.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Elizabeth L. Thomas Mr. Scott Smith
Principal, Quince Orchard Principal, Northwest
A water main break late this morning has now closed Dufief Drive, near the area of Dufief Elementary School, between Darnestown Road and Brandyhall Lane.
WSSC Water crews are now on the scene of the 12” break, which was the cause of Dufief Elementary School closing at noon today.
Video of the water main break can be seen below.
Update – Dufief Dr BLOCKED Between Route 28 Darnestown Rd. and Brandyhall Lane, 12” water main break @WSSCWaterNews crew on scene, road closed https://t.co/vgWOKzizYH pic.twitter.com/DCSwVq4jJt
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) October 14, 2021
Playa Bowls is Coming to Gaithersburg
Playa Bowls (Açaí Bowls, Pitaya, Coconut Bowls, smoothies, etc.) opened its first store just over 6 years ago in the Jersey Shore and has since expanded to almost 100 locations.
This afternoon we spoke with Brad Riddle, a broker at Greater Potomac Realty (a commercial real estate company with offices in Gaithersburg and Kensington), who let us know of Playa Bowls fourth MoCo location, coming soon to Gaithersburg, at the Potomac Valley shopping center in the location that was recently home to Subway (12193 Darnestown Rd).
Greater Potomac Realty has been working with Playa Bowls on opening multiple locations in the DC area. Recently they have opened in Fairfax, VA (Mosaic District), Potomac, MD (Cabin John Village), Kensington (Knowles Station) and most recently in Olney (Fair Hill).
We don’t have an opening date, but will let you know as soon as we do.
Featured photo courtesy of @PlayaBowls
Woman, Two Dogs Dead After Darnestown House Fire
Featured Photo Courtesy Montgomery County Fire/Rescue Chief Spokesman Pete Piringer
Shortly after 7PM Sunday evening, Montgomery County career and volunteer firefighters responded to a reported house fire at 15001 Darnestown Road.
The initial 911 call reporting the fire came from a passing driver, reporting fire showing from the front windows of the home.
By the time firefighters arrived, several civilians were attempting to extinguish the fire and rescue an occupant believed to still be inside the burning home.
Firefighters were challenged by excessive clutter inside the home. The firefighters did locate one adult female inside the burning home, and she died after being transported to a local hospital.
Firefighters also located six large dogs inside the home; four of the dogs survived the fire. The home did not have any smoke alarms.
The fire is believed to have been ignited by an electrical failure in the first floor living room, according to Pete Piringer, Chief Spokesman for Montgomery County Fire/Rescue.
