Friday, January 31, 2014

2 BURGLARIES IN BETHESDA - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Two residential burglaries were reported to police in Bethesda on Tuesday, according to crime data.

Here is a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on January 28:

Theft. 4900 block Cordell Avenue.

Theft. Bloomingdales (Friendship Heights).

Burglary. 8700 block Ewing Drive (Bradmoor neighborhood).

Burglary. 4400 block Chalfont Place (Westmoreland Hills).

Theft. 7300 block Greentree Road.

Theft. 11500 block Rockville Pike (White Flint area).

Theft. 7100 block Democracy Boulevard (Westfield Montgomery Mall area).

Theft. Macy's (Westfield Montgomery Mall).

LED LIGHTS ADDED TO FACADE OF AIR RIGHTS BUILDING IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

If you look up at the former Air Rights Building at night, you may notice something new. LED lights are being added to the Wisconsin Avenue facade of the west building at the complex recently rechristened as Bethesda Crossing. It's unclear what the point of them is at the moment.

What does it mean?

DUNKIN' DONUTS BETHESDA METRO CENTER CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

The window coverings have been removed at the future Dunkin' Donuts in the Clark Building at the Bethesda Metro Center. If you click on the photos to enlarge, you will see the menu screens above the counters are activated, and there's even a sign advising customers to "Please Wait Here." Our countdown to opening continues...

ROOF BETHESDA BRUNCH MENU (PHOTOS)

Here is the brand-new brunch menu at Roof, Bethesda's new rooftop bar and restaurant (click photos to enlarge):
Main courses
Huevos Rancheros
4-egg omelettes
Sides

Bakery/desserts




Thursday, January 30, 2014

PassionFish OPENING AT BETHESDA ROW!

One of the DC area's best seafood restaurants, PassionFish, will open a new location at Bethesda Row, in the Darcy condominium building. The Darcy, of course, is currently under construction across Bethesda Avenue from Barnes and Noble. PassionFish is known for great seafood ranging from fresh raw fish to branzino, served in an upscale setting. The expansion was announced in a press release, and first reported by  Missy Frederick of Eater DC. She writes that the restaurant will feature a 150 seat main dining room, and a separate banquet room.

The only downside of this is that the existing confusion of PassionFish with Passion Fin, at Bethesda's Shops at Sumner Place, will likely increase now that both will share a Bethesda address.

But that's a minor point; this is a fantastic addition to the dining options at Bethesda Row.

THEFT REPORTED AT BCC HIGH SCHOOL - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

A theft was reported at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School on Monday. There was also an assault reported on Old Georgetown Road near Woodmont Avenue, according to crime data.

Here is a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on January 27:

Theft. BCC High School.

Assault. 7600 block Old Georgetown Road.

Vehicle burglary. 5600 block Durbin Road (South Bradley Hills neighborhood).

Vehicle burglary. 4800 block Essex Avenue (Somerset).

Theft. 5300 block Baltimore Avenue (Green Acres area).

Theft. 10400 block Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood/Georgetown Square vicinity).

Theft. Macy's at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

MUSSEL BAR PALM SPECIALE GLASS GIVEAWAY TONIGHT AT BETHESDA ROW (PHOTO)

Keep the glass tonight when you order a $5 Palm Speciale draft at the bar at Mussel Bar. Starting at 6:00 PM, they'll be giving away Palm Speciale beer glasses with purchase of a draft - while they last! Even after the free glassware runs out, the $5 drafts will continue all night long. There will also be live music by members of the Lloyd Dobler Effect.

BETHESDA CURRY KITCHEN OPENING SOON (PHOTOS)


Bethesda Curry Kitchen hopes to open "by first weekend of February," owner and chef Anil Kumar said via email. In the meantime, you can check out the menu here.

WESTBARD EQUITY ONE REDEVELOPMENT MEETING A LOGISTICAL DISASTER

Equity One, the new owner of the Westwood Complex along Westbard Avenue and Ridgefield Road in Bethesda, deserves credit for holding a public meeting last night about their future redevelopment plans. Unfortunately, they scored few points for party planning beyond the refreshments.

The venue - The Ballroom on Landy Lane, off River Road - was a disastrous choice. Perhaps the size of the crowd was underestimated. But I arrived, prior to the start time, to find a line of cars backed up on River Road in both directions. The relatively tiny, poorly lit parking lot behind The Ballroom was jammed full. I was nearly sideswiped, as frustrated attendees attempted to turn around in the tight lot. Many cars were illegally parked in fire lanes around the venue. Quite a few people finally just left. Any venue that requires valet parking is the wrong venue for a public meeting such as this.

A second meeting time will be held this Saturday at The Ballroom, from 10 AM to noon.

Attendees expressed frustration with the parking fiasco, and said it was difficult to hear or be heard in the cramped space. After breaking into groups, the groups were still too large, and not everyone had a fair chance to be heard.

The Westwood Complex includes the Westwood Shopping Center, Westwood Center II, Springhouse nursing home, two Citgo gas stations, Westwood Tower apartments, and the Bowlmor Lanes bowling alley.

There are essentially no concrete details about Equity One's plans, beyond the sorts of environmental promises previously heard from developer EYA two years ago. More meetings are to be scheduled in March.

For Pete's sake, PICK A LARGE ENOUGH VENUE! Preferably where some spillover parking is available.

In concept, the meeting was a good start. In execution, not so much. Beyond better logistics, future meetings have to provide a better process for attendees to have a chance to speak and give input. And Equity One needs to meet with the individual neighborhood residents at their civic association meetings, such as Kenwood, The Kenwood, Kenwood Place, Springfield and Westbard Mews, which are directly adjacent to the proposed redevelopment. But I applaud the idea of ongoing meetings, when the previous developer held zero public events.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

ICY CONDITIONS ON CAPITAL CRESCENT TRAIL BETWEEN BETHESDA AND DC

Cyclists using the Capital Crescent Trail report that the segment between downtown Bethesda and the Dalecarlia Reservoir (at MacArthur Boulevard at the D.C.-Maryland line) remains icy. Riders are advised to use caution.

KRAZE BURGERS CLOSES AT BETHESDA ROW (PHOTOS)

A few weeks after filing for bankruptcy, Kraze Burgers has now officially closed at Bethesda Row. The restaurant at the corner of Elm Street and Woodmont Avenue is empty and deserted tonight. This is very sad news for burger lovers, especially for those who walk there from downtown Bethesda residences or from work. There is still one Kraze Burgers in Bethesda, the recently-opened food court  location at Westfield Montgomery Mall.




DUNKIN' DONUTS BETHESDA METRO CENTER CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

They're still hard at work inside the new Dunkin' Donuts store in the Clark Building at Bethesda Metro Center. Can they finish by the end of the week? We'll find out soon, but progress is being made. A lot of the counter equipment is in place, as you can see if you click the photos to enlarge for detail. The finishes, floor and ceiling appear to be just about done.



BETHESDA ROW APPLE STORE CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF THE MAC (PHOTOS)

The revolutionary Apple Macintosh computer was the iPhone of its time 30 years ago, in design if not in sales numbers. My own first experience using a Mac was at a computer store in the same downtown Bethesda shopping center as CVS Pharmacy, on Arlington Road. Of course, when the Mac debuted, CVS was known as Peoples Drug.

At that time, few could have imagined Apple would one day operate a top retail store chain of its own. But barely a block from where I moved the Apple mouse, the Bethesda Row Apple Store is now celebrating the 30th birthday of the Mac, in typical Apple fashion: cutting-edge design LED window displays. I think Steve Jobs would approve.



TYBER BIERHAUS AIMS FOR FEBRUARY OPENING IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

One of the more interesting restaurants coming to downtown Bethesda is Tyber Bierhaus, which will take over the former home of The Box Bar and Grill at 7525 Old Georgetown Road. Now I hear that, according to Tyber's general manager, they are hoping to open in mid-February. However, the specific day is not firm yet, so stay tuned. Meanwhile, here's a look at the ongoing makeover of the spot ahead of the opening:



BETHESDA-CHEVY CHASE ROAD CONDITIONS UPDATE (PHOTOS)

The parts of Bethesda and Chevy Chase I have driven through this morning have well-treated roads, for the most part. Watch out for the occasional ice patch.

It is currently 14°, but the snow is light in texture, which is a positive for cleaning off cars, and for road conditions. As you can see in these photos taken near the Friendship Heights Metro station and Mazza Gallerie, roads are in good condition. Today's high will be 24° around mid-afternoon, with temperatures plunging to a low of 6° by 6 AM tomorrow morning.

BETHESDA WATER MAIN BREAK UPDATE (PHOTOS)

All lanes of MD 355 are expected to be open for rush hour this morning in downtown Bethesda. WSSC crews completed work on a water main break in the southbound lanes, between Woodmont Avenue and Battery Lane, last evening. Crews were at work on a nearby site, as well, in the 4700 block of Chestnut Street:

Photos by Jason Yang

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

WATER MAIN BREAK SHUTS ALL SB LANES OF MD 355 IN DOWNTOWN BETHESDA BETWEEN BATTERY AND WOODMONT

A water main break has closed all southbound lanes of Wisconsin Avenue (MD 355) in downtown Bethesda between Woodmont Avenue and Battery Lane. Use Old Georgetown Road as an alternate route.

MY THOUGHTS ON THE DOWNTOWN BETHESDA PLAN DOCUMENT RELEASE

The "scope of work" downtown Bethesda plan document released yesterday by the Montgomery County Planning Department contained no surprises, primarily restating familiar Census data and geographical boundaries. We're great, we're smart, we're rich, etc.

Here are my thoughts thus far:

1. Why did I not receive any emails regarding the document release, and related public meeting? I filled out a form when I attended the "kickoff" meeting a few months ago, including an email address. Of course, I knew about the document and meeting because I am actively following the process. But had I been a citizen not doing so, I would have had no idea - as of this hour - that these two items had been announced.

2. The document refers to 26 approved development projects in downtown Bethesda. What are those projects? Is there a list they can link to, and what is the criteria for terming something a "project?" I know a lot of projects are left over from the real estate bubble. But 26? 26 new residential or office buildings? That sounds a bit exaggerated. Where are they?

3. The scope of work document also provides no evidence that the Post-It notes filled out by attendees of the kickoff meeting were thus far taken into account. What I see listed under "The Plan Process" are the same things that were "allowed" to be verbally announced at the meeting, and then were parroted in most local media reports in the days afterward. If a Post-It note falls in the middle of the forest... At some point, other issues have to be addressed, such as the vanishing gas stations of downtown Bethesda.

4. I think when we are talking about public space, the number of public plazas under development has been left out of the discussion. There are several pedestrian plazas on the boards, including the just-opened plaza at the Gallery Bethesda apartments, the Bainbridge Bethesda plaza between St. Elmo and Fairmont Avenues, the Westin Bethesda hotel complex and the JBG project between Wisconsin and Woodmont Avenues. In my opinion, we need a greater focus on how the plaza at the Bethesda Metro Center was unceremoniously stripped of its use as a gathering space - including the embarrassing shutdown of the ice rink. And how that is going to be corrected. The lapse of the Metro Center plaza is one of several ways downtown Bethesda has shifted off course since the turn of the century.

Public parks, and making sure any redevelopment of the Apex Building site retains or expands the quasi-public space at the corner of Wisconsin and Elm Street outside the Regal Cinemas, and the Woodmont plaza at Bethesda Row are other major public space issues to be discussed in detail.


The schedule laid out suggests formal public input will be limited to none, before a set of recommendations are presented for public comment in the Spring. Hence my concern about the Post It notes and gas stations, among other things. The next formal opportunity for official public comment, according to the document, is the public hearing on the plan draft before the Planning Board in October 2014.

Based on the schedule, the plan will be approved or denied by the next County Council in 2015.

TACO BELL CHILI CHEESE FRIES LOADED GRILLER REVIEW (VIDEO)

Taco Bell has a brand-new Loaded Griller that combines chili, nacho cheese and fried potato chunks in a tortilla - the Chili Cheese Fries Loaded Griller. Of course, I had to try it, and here is my review.

There's also a bonus interview with the new director of Transformers 4, who replaces Michael Bay after his CES Samsung TV meltdown. He's someone known for meltdowns himself.

BETHESDA METRO ESCALATOR OUTAGE UPDATE (PHOTOS) #WMATA

A second escalator is now out of service at the Bethesda Metro station, in addition to the one offline until March for repairs. The street level/food court-to-Metrobus bay escalator will be out of service until February 4 for inspection and repair, according to Metro.

Meanwhile, here are some new photos of that mezzanine-to-platform escalator currently being repaired. It is now scheduled to return to service on March 21.



February, March, what's the
difference, right?

Monday, January 27, 2014

DUNKIN' DONUTS BETHESDA METRO CENTER CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

The exterior sign is now lit at the future Dunkin' Donuts in the Clark Building at Bethesda Metro Center. While the local Dunkin' Donuts franchise company hopes to open by the end of this week, there is still work to be done on the interior.



PIZZA PASS WINE TASTING NIGHT FEBRUARY 7 (PHOTO)

Bethesda's newest pizzeria, Pizza Pass, is hosting a wine tasting on Friday, February 7, from 6-9 PM. For only $18, you can enjoy unlimited pizza, pasta and salad, and sample wines from the restaurant's list. Labels include Trapiche Vineyards and Save Me San Francisco. Should you decide to purchase wine by the glass or bottle that evening, a donation will be made to Family House, Inc., which helps house families near loved ones who are be treated at hospitals away from home. 

By the way, have you noticed Pizza Pass has installed its permanent exterior sign?

Pizza Pass is located at 4924 St. Elmo Avenue.

DEMOLITION PERMIT REQUESTED FOR BETHESDA BANK (PHOTO)

Developer Kettler has applied for a demolition permit for a former bank branch at 7535 Old Georgetown Road, in downtown Bethesda. The demolition will make way for the company's 15-story luxury apartment project.

Sunday, January 26, 2014

ANOTHER THEFT AT BETHESDA ROW - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on January 23:

Theft. 4800 block Bethesda Avenue (Bethesda Row).

Theft. 4600 block N. Park Avenue (Friendship Heights).

Theft. 5200 block Tuckerman Lane (Grosvenor area).

Theft. 4600 block Strathmore Avenue (Garrett Park).

Theft. 6400 block Rock Spring Drive (Walter Johnson HS area).

Theft. 7100 block Democracy Boulevard (Westfield Montgomery Mall area).

Theft. 7100 block Democracy Boulevard (Westfield Montgomery Mall area).


PURERYDE POSTS SIGNAGE (PHOTOS)

Temporary signage has been posted at the future Bethesda location of PureRyde, a cycling fitness studio coming soon to the Bradley Shopping Center. PureRyde utilizes unique stationary bikes that allow a greater range of motion and movements than typical exercise bikes, such as simulating riding around curves. As you can see from the photo below, they are also hiring staff.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

7700 NORFOLK AVENUE LUXURY APARTMENTS CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

Bethesda's Woodmont Triangle will be home to JBG's 7700 Norfolk Avenue luxury apartment tower. Here is the latest progress at the construction site, which is directly across from the Bainbridge Bethesda apartment tower nearing completion. Both towers will be 17 stories in height.