The Olney Ale House is Re-opening
The Montgomery County Green Bank and Sandy Spring Bank announced Friday that they have teamed up to provide flexible financing to help the Olney Ale House re-open. A kitchen fire at the Olney Ale House caused the restaurant to temporarily shut down in 2019 and COVID-19 only compounded the issues for the restaurant.
“Thanks to community support and our partnership with the Montgomery County Green Bank and Sandy Spring Bank, we look forward to welcoming our guests back to the Ale House,” said owner John Roach in a press release. “Because of funding through the Green Bank’s CLEER program with Sandy Spring Bank, we’re returning stronger, healthier, and more resilient than before.”
An reopening date has not yet been announced. Full press release below:
The Olney Ale House is re-opening with the help of the Green Bank and @sandyspringbank to provide flexible financing through the Commercial Loan for Energy Efficiency and Renewables program!
Visit our website for the full details: https://t.co/IkMt6xMpfZ pic.twitter.com/vj510cl7Rv
— Montgomery County Green Bank (@MCGreenBank) July 20, 2021
OLNEY, MD – The Montgomery County Green Bank (“Green Bank”) and Sandy Spring Bank have joined together to provide flexible financing to help re-open the Olney Ale House. The financing helps Olney Ale House introduce improvements to recover from a 2019 fire and from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic all while reducing operating costs and energy consumption.
Through the Green Bank’s partnership with Sandy Spring Bank in the Commercial Loan for Energy Efficiency and Renewables (CLEER) program, Sandy Spring Bank is providing a loan to help Olney Ale House access the funds needed to install more efficient cooking equipment, air handling, windows, and climate controls. The kitchen will also be reconfigured to accommodate the restaurant’s growing take-out and delivery business resulting from the pandemic.
“Thanks to community support and our partnership with the Montgomery County Green Bank and Sandy Spring Bank, we look forward to welcoming our guests back to the Ale House,” said owner John Roach. “Because of funding through the Green Bank’s CLEER program with Sandy Spring Bank, we’re returning stronger, healthier, and more resilient than before.”
“This is the type of investment our community needs now more than ever, and we are honored to partner with the Montgomery County Green Bank for the fourth time to boost green, energy savings projects in commercial and residential properties in Montgomery County,” said Ken Cook, executive vice president of Commercial Banking at Sandy Spring Bank. “We look forward to visiting the Olney Ale House once it reopens to the community.”
“Our partnership with Olney Ale House and Sandy Spring Bank to provide CLEER financing for their recovery is at the heart of the Green Bank’s vision,” said Tom Deyo, CEO of the Green Bank. “We want to be right there with the County’s businesses, our partner lenders, and County government to assist commercial business property owners with improving operating benefits from energy savings as well as health, safety, and resiliency and help these businesses emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The Green Bank launched the CLEER program to support commercial, industrial, nonprofit, institutional, and multifamily properties. The CLEER program partners with community lenders to share the risk in loans that support businesses re-building with energy efficient measures that create healthier indoor spaces. These improvements bring short- and long-term operational benefits of reduced operating costs to the properties while the lower energy consumption supports to the County’s climate goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The CLEER program provides 100% financing, extended loan terms (up to 12 years), and can include up to 30% of non-energy related costs.
About Montgomery County Green Bank The Montgomery County Green Bank is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping businesses and residents affordably implement energy efficiency and clean energy solutions. The Green Bank supports the county by driving investment into energy efficiency and clean energy through lending and investment partners in the region. These efforts include working with homeowners, renters, and commercial entities of all varieties. For more information, visit www.mcgreenbank.org.
About Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc., headquartered in Olney, Maryland, is the holding company for Sandy Spring Bank, a premier community bank in the Greater Washington, D.C. region. With over 60 locations, the bank offers a broad range of commercial and retail banking, mortgage, private banking, and trust services throughout Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Through its subsidiaries, Rembert Pendleton Jackson, Sandy Spring Insurance Corporation and West Financial Services, Inc., Sandy Spring Bank also offers a comprehensive menu of insurance and wealth management services. For more information, www.sandyspringbank.com.
Yesterday our friends at Just Up the Pike shared a couple renderings from the upcoming White Oak Town Center (we have those and a few more below), so we wanted to provide you with a little more information on the project that was first accepted back in 2014.
The Montgomery County Planning Board will be looking at the preliminary plan in its meeting on July 29th– White Oak Town Center will be seeking approval to construct 105,000 square feet of commercial development.
White Oak Town Center will be located at 12345 Columbia Pike, in the northeast quadrant of the intersection of Prosperity Drive and Industrial Parkway.
Here are some bullet points about what to expect:
• The Site Plan is limited to a maximum of 105,000 square feet of commercial development on the Subject Property.
• The development is limited to a maximum height of 40 feet, as measured from the building height measuring point(s), as illustrated on the Certified Site Plan. Each building will have its own building height measuring point.
• The Applicant must provide a minimum of 29,206 square feet of public open space (10% of the Site
Area)
• The proposed development will be comprised of two buildings – Building A and Building B, both oriented to Industrial Parkway. A surface parking lot is located between the two buildings
• The proposed development removes the existing free right turn from Industrial Parkway onto Prosperity Drive and provides for dedication on Industrial Parkway and Prosperity Drive.
• Building A is a commercial building with approximately 63,100 square feet of density divided into 3 retail spaces. The space adjacent to Prosperity Drive is proposed to be a 41,000-square foot grocery store that anchors Building A and the entire development. Two other retail spaces complete the building, with outdoor tables for a potential restaurant. All front doors open onto the parking lot, with a loading area and additional parking to the rear.
• Building B is a two-story commercial building with approximately 40,000 square feet of density, with retail and office uses. While Building B is oriented to Industrial Parkway, it can also be accessed from the parking lot. There is a plaza with a Sign/ Clock Tower at the west end of Building B, as well as a seating area at the east end.
• The Project will provide a sufficient number of on-site parking spaces to support the proposed development and visitors, in accordance with Division 59.6 of the Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning Ordinance requires a minimum of 368 parking spaces and allows for a maximum of 630 spaces. In total the Project will provide 405 spaces, which exceeds the minimum but remains within the maximum permitted amount.
Renderings
While renderings use generic logos that are examples for the types of stores that are expected to occupy the shopping center, the actual stores the renderings are based on sometimes find their way to the shopping center. In these updated renderings, you’ll see what looks like an Amazon Fresh design rather than the Trader Joe’s design that had been shown in previous renderings.
Full Montgomery Planning document can be seen here.
East Gude Drive Corridor in Rockville Could Become Rock East District (R.E.D.)
Rockville could be adding a new district within the city along East Gude Dr. that will be known as the Rock East District (R.E.D.).
Rockville is looking to rebrand the area as a makers district that ties the breweries, distillery, restaurants, trails, sports businesses, retail, auto repair, and home improvement businesses together with the logo and tagline “Experiences Made Here.”
The Mayor and Council will likely make their decision at this Monday’s Mayor and Council meeting.
You can download a copy of the agenda here.
Details from the agenda below:
The idea of the Rock East District (R.E.D.) was generated by Rockville Economic Development,
Inc. (REDI) in response to a desire to highlight Rockville’s commercial neighborhoods.
According the U.S. Travel Association, there is an “active link between branding, tourism and
economic development [so that a] ‘strong destination brand does more than build awareness;
it engenders affinity that can lead to more visitors, and by attracting businesses and talent, it
helps create a thriving community.’” Place Branding for Small Cities, Regions and Downtowns,
by Bill Baker, p. 57. “An important principle underpinning community branding is that what
may be attractive to visitors can also be appealing to new residents, businesses and investors.”
After an RFP process, a local marketing firm, G & A Advertising, Inc. (GKA) was hired by REDI to
create a pilot to market the East Gude area in a way that would: a) create a destination; b)
enhance sense of place branding; c) entice younger generations of workers and people to live in
the city and to visit; and d) support our local businesses. Starting in the summer of 2020, GKA
and REDI worked with a stakeholder group to develop a brand, logo and tagline.
Additionally, M. Luis Construction is working with REDI to allow a mural to be installed on their
property to hopefully spark a mural program in the area, and VisArts is working with REDI to
procure an artist for the project. The Committee has met frequently to provide input on
positioning the East Gude area as a makers district named the Rock East District that ties the
breweries, distillery, restaurants, trails, sports businesses, retail, auto repair, and home
improvement businesses together. This has resulted in a logo and tagline “Experiences Made
Here.”
City staff received correspondence dated June 15, 2021, from REDI Chief Executive Officer
Cynthia Rivarde requesting the governing body’s formal endorsement of the Rock East District
area designation. (Attachment B).
The next step is launching the brand, which will include installation of banners in the district,
and a launch event planned September 9 – 12, 2021 to highlight the businesses and the new
district. (REDI) has requested use of City of Rockville streetlight poles to display banners and
riders along the East Gude Drive corridor between Southlawn Lane and Norbeck Road to
identify the location of the newly-designated Rock East District. The banner mockup is
attached, incorporating images and the logo. The banners are double-sided and doublepaneled, serving as wayfinding tools for residents, visitors, and employees navigating to the
many “maker” type businesses that are located in that area of the Rock East District.
Attachment C identifies the 24 poles (shown with red circles around the streetlight pole
number) REDI and the Department of Public Works proposes for the banner locations.
If the Mayor and Council approves the Rock East District designation, City staff and REDI will
finalize the location of the banners and riders. Also, the team will develop a set of guidelines
and specifications for the Placement, Attachment Equipment, Banner Requirements, and
Maintenance that will be used on this project, which can serve as a pilot to facilitate similar
banner placement in future districts that may be approved by the Mayor and Council. Details
regarding the launch events will be announced to the Mayor & Council as they are confirmed.
The banners and launch event will be fully funded by REDI. City staff will support by providing
supplemental communications to residents about the district, permitting banner installation
within City right-of-way, and helping to install the banners. (Graphics and mapping are
attached).
Progress at Royal Farms in Gaithersburg
Below are the latest photos of the Royal Farms construction in Gaithersburg. You’ll notice since our last update that the canopy for the gas pumps has been erected and the buildings trademark look is starting to take shape.
The store will be located in the Spectrum Town Center, next to the new I-270 Watkins Mill exit.
Update on Lake Whetstone After Drain Valve Left Open Over Fourth of July Weekend
June 16th Update:
Photos of Lake Whetstone from Friday June, 16th.
The lake is slowly returning to normal water levels after being accidentally drained over the Fourth of July weekend. Additional details below.
June 10th Update:
Rain Friday evening restored some water to Lake Whetstone. Last weekend when the lake was being drained several feet for a scheduled drain dam system repair, the valve that was draining the lake was accidentally left open several days, completely draining the lake.
The Maryland Department of Environmental Protection has told residents “biologists have observed the site and have been in contact with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The turtles are resilient, well adapted to that environment, and are able to find habitat around the lake if they don’t like the lake bank conditions”.
The DEP also noted that when walking around the lake this week, they did not observe any dead wildlife or fish, and “it’s possible the fish swam upstream into Whetstone Run or downstream into Theater Pond. The egrets, herons, and other birds remain plentiful. We are continuing to monitor the lake for any damages or preventative actions we can take for the wildlife.”
Regarding the contractor and their mistake:
“DEP’s contractor, Triangle Contracting, was directed to lower the lake by 4 feet. This is a necessary safety precaution because they need to excavate into the dam embankment to replace the dam drainage system. The lake was drained by use of a lake valve located in the riser structure located in the lake; this valve is reachable only by boat.
The contractor left the valve open over the holiday weekend causing the excessive lake draining. Due to the remoteness of the valve, this error was not caught by DEP on-site staff. DEP has issued a violation notice to the contractor and have updated our processes and notification requirements regarding performing any lake valve work to prevent this accident from happening again.”
Two Story Chimney Ciderworks Plans to Open Tasting Room in August
You might have seen cider from Two Story Chimney at the Silver Spring, Bethesda, or Olney farmers markets– they’ve been making and selling their cider since 2019. Although a specific date has not been confirmed yet, they shared with us that they are planning to open a tasting room this August. The tasting room will be in the Agricultural Reserve between Damascus and Laytonsville.
Two Story Chimney’s name comes from the historic property that the cidery is built on. Although there is an apple orchard on the premises now, this land was originally used as a tobacco farm. There was a two story tobacco barn (built in 1847) that had a chimney with one hearth on each floor. The tobacco barn itself is long gone, but the two hearths are still standing on their own.
The two story chimney is not the only historic part of the property– there are two apple trees from the early 1900s that are still growing. Two Story Chimney makes their cider using a combination of fruits from grafts from these historic apple trees, fruits from modern trees grown on site, as well as from fruits grown in other local orchards.
Recently, Governor Hogan and his staff made a visit to Two Story Chimney.
You can learn more about Two Story Chimney Ciderworks here.
Photos courtesy of Two Story Chimney’s Instagram.
By: Michelle Katz @pike.and.rozay
Poolesville to Host Public Fireworks Display on July 4th
The Town of Poolesville will hold their annual 4th of July Fireworks display at the soccer fields at Hughes Rd and Sugarland on July 4.
As of right now, this is the only public fireworks event in Montgomery County. Several local country clubs are expected to have fireworks, but those are members only events.
The gates will open at 5:00PM and the fireworks will go off at dark. There is a rain date scheduled for Monday, July 5 at 5:00PM.
Parking will be $5 per car and there will be several food trucks/vendors. Alcohol is prohibited.
All the details below courtesy of uncvfd.com:
2021 Poolesville Traditional 4th of July Fireworks Event
Frequently Asked Questions for the Public
Please note the following items are strictly prohibited.
• Beer is Prohibited • Wine is Prohibited
• Alcohol of any kind is Prohibited • Pets are Prohibited
• Parking along Hughes Rd is Prohibited
Q. Will there be 4th of July fireworks this year?
A. Yes. Thanks again to the generosity of the property owner and the generosity of the sponsors,
Town of Poolesville, Poolesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Jamison’s Real Estate, Total
Automotive & Diesel, and the Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department.
Q. When will the 4th of July Fireworks be held?
A. The 4th of July Fireworks will be held on Sunday, July 4th at the soccer fields on Hughes Rd, at
Sugarland Rd. The gates will open at 5:00PM and the fireworks will go off when it turns dark.
The rain date is Monday, 5 July at 5:00PM.
Q. Where will the 4th of July Fireworks going to be held?
A. The 4th of July Fireworks will be at the soccer fields on Hughes Rd at Sugarland Rd. Do not
enter at the polo fields.
Q. Can I bring beer or alcohol?
A. No. MCPD prohibits beer and alcohol. MCPD will inspect all coolers for alcohol.
Beer, Wine, Alcohol are strictly prohibited.
Q. Is there a parking fee for the Fireworks?
A. Yes. The parking fee is $5 per vehicle. Please have exactly $5 ready when you enter to
quicken your parking. The parking fee supports the fireworks event. Without the parking fees
the fireworks would not be possible.
Q. Is there a rain date for the 4th of July Fireworks?
A. Yes, the rain date is Monday, 5 July at 5:00PM.
Q. What time are the Fireworks?
A. The gates open at 5:00PM; please arrive early for easy parking. The fireworks are launched
when it is dark, generally around 9:00PM
Q. Will there be 4th of July fireworks this year?
A. Yes. Thanks again to the generosity of the property owner and the generosity of the sponsors,
Town of Poolesville, Poolesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Jamison’s Real Estate, Total
Automotive & Diesel, and the Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department.
Q. When will the 4th of July Fireworks be held?
A. The 4th of July Fireworks will be held on Sunday, July 4th at the soccer fields on Hughes Rd, at
Sugarland Rd. The gates will open at 5:00PM and the fireworks will go off when it turns dark.
The rain date is Monday, 5 July at 5:00PM.
Q. Where will the 4th of July Fireworks going to be held?
A. The 4th of July Fireworks will be at the soccer fields on Hughes Rd at Sugarland Rd. Do not
enter at the polo fields.
Q. Can I bring beer or alcohol?
A. No. MCPD prohibits beer and alcohol. MCPD will inspect all coolers for alcohol.
Beer, Wine, Alcohol are strictly prohibited.
Q. Is there a parking fee for the Fireworks?
A. Yes. The parking fee is $5 per vehicle. Please have exactly $5 ready when you enter to
quicken your parking. The parking fee supports the fireworks event. Without the parking fees
the fireworks would not be possible.
Q. Is there a rain date for the 4th of July Fireworks?
A. Yes, the rain date is Monday, 5 July at 5:00PM.
Q. What time are the Fireworks?
A. The gates open at 5:00PM; please arrive early for easy parking. The fireworks are launched
when it is dark, generally around 9:00PM
New Winery, Wine Education Center, and Event Space Planned for Poolesville
Crossvines, a new development project in Poolesville, will be a combination of a winery, events center, and wine education center.
As part of a partnership with The University of Maryland Extension, students will be able to study grape cultivation, vineyard management, and winemaking at the new facility. Additionally, there will be a partnership with the Universities at Shady Grove to provide hands-on experiences for students in their agri-tourism, marketing, culinary arts, and other related programs.
The facility will share land with the Poolesville Golf Course– it’ll be built on an empty spot not currently used for golfing. At the moment, there is a very small vineyard on the premises, which has been used for research. In addition to the vineyard, the plan is to construct a 16,500 square foot clubhouse with a banquet and dining hall, a grape crushing facility, a malting and distilling facility, educational pavilion, picnic area, and outdoor class space.
This winery is a collaboration between the Montgomery County Revenue Authority, The Universities at Shady Grove, and The University of Maryland Extension. It’s expected to bring in approximately $22 million in activity to MoCo.
You can learn more about the proposed development here and about the University of Maryland Extension program here.
By: Michelle Katz @pike.and.rozay
Governor Hogan Visits Novavax Headquarters in Gaithersburg
On Thursday, June 10th Governor Larry Hogan visited Gaithersburg-based Novavax. The 700 Quince Orchard Road property started renovations in 2020 and it’s expected to open for operation in the following weeks.
Novavax (Nasdaq: NVAX) is a quick growing biotechnology company developing next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases. Novavax is expecting to play a huge role in public health as it develops a candidate vaccine against COVID-19 and advances its influenza vaccine for global markets. The company already has plans for a global production network once the trials are completed and approved.
The company publicly stated, “We appreciate the support, partnership and speed of the Maryland Department of Commerce, Montgomery County, and the City of Gaithersburg, which have enabled the expansion of our operations, enhanced our ability to retain and attract highly skilled employees, and reinforced our longstanding commitment to the biotechnology sector in Maryland.”
They have future plans of expanding in Gaithersburg too. A company affiliate purchased a 9.7 acre parcel of land at 14 Firstfield Road.
Images via twitter: @GovLarryHogan
Governor poses in front of 700 Quince Orchard Road
Today I was pleased to tour the site of @Novavax’s future headquarters in Gaithersburg. We are so proud that Novavax calls Maryland home, and we are thrilled that they are further expanding their footprint here. pic.twitter.com/eygLj7OdrN
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) June 10, 2021
Belward Farm to Become Johns Hopkins Medical Office & Surgery Center
For a long time, there was a debate over what should happen with the Belward Farm property, located at the intersection of Muddy Branch and Darnestown Road. It appears that we finally have an answer. Recently, development application signs labeled “Johns Hopkins Medical Office & Surgery Center” were placed along the edges of the Belward Farm property.
Some history about the area: The Belward property was owned by Elizabeth Beall Banks, a Montgomery County teacher and farmer. In the 80s, Banks sold the land to Johns Hopkins University. Her vision was to provide this land to the University so they could build a research campus for finding cancer cures.
A couple of years after her death, these plans changed. More recent proposals were created that would turn the area into a $10 billion “Science City” with 13 story office buildings. The campus was slated to hold around 50,000 workers. Banks’ family members and local community members felt that this change was a huge change from the spirit of the donation and fought to scale back the development plans.
As of right now, there are only immediate plans for one new building. There is a possibility that up to 12 additional buildings might be constructed in the future, but the formerly proposed “Science City” does not seem to be in the works any longer.
Per the Montgomery County Planning Board documents, the farmhouse and outbuilding have been deemed historic and will remain on the property.
The current plan is that groundbreaking will happen in 2022 with construction ending in 2023.
The planning documents can be found here.
Photo courtesy of Terry Steinberg, @tps4 on instagram.
By: Michelle Katz @pike.and.rozay
Shake Shack Coming to Montgomery Mall
“Opening Soon” signage is up at Westfield Montgomery for Shake Shack. Last week we reported that Shake Shack hopes to open three new MoCo locations by the end of 2022.
Shake Shack will be taking over the former site of Poke Papa inside of the mall’s food court.
The only other Shake Shack in Montgomery County is located two miles away at 7997 Tuckerman Ln in Potomac.
We were told that the other new potential MoCo locations include “one in the Rockville area” and “one in the Gaithersburg area,” but nothing can be confirmed at this point.
We’ll continue to update as we receive more information.
Photo courtesy of Justin @jc593 on Instagram
