EagleBank BUILDING IN BETHESDA FOR SALE, TAVIRA RESTAURANT ALSO ON MARKET

A potentially prime piece of downtown Bethesda real estate is for sale. The mixed-use building at 7809 Woodmont Avenue - the primary tenant of which is EagleBank - is on the market for an asking price of $7,200,000. It has several strong points for a prospective owner.

First, in a weak office market, the relatively small building is fully-leased. Second, it is conveniently located within walking distance of Metro, and many restaurants, shops and amenities. But, most significantly, the lease of EagleBank is up in 2015. While the lease expiration date of the other 3 tenants in the building is unknown, if they are not long-term leases, 7809 represents a tremendous redevelopment opportunity. A buyer with even more patience might try to reach agreement with adjoining property owners. Such a transaction could allow a mixed-use project of at least 17 stories on the current block, and perhaps even higher under the now-underway sector plan rewrite.

Meanwhile, longtime Chevy Chase Lake restaurant Tavira is on the market, as well. In this case, it's the business that's for sale, not the building. The Portuguese and Mediterranean cuisine restaurant in the unassuming office building on Connecticut Avenue has made several area Top Restaurant lists.

Why is Tavira closing? The owner is moving out of state.

BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on March 28, according to crime data:

Disorderly conduct. 7700 block Wisconsin Avenue (downtown Bethesda).

Theft. 7700 block Norfolk Avenue.

Liquor arrest. Woodmont Avenue at St. Elmo Avenue.

Theft. Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Theft. Macy's at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Theft. 7100 block Democracy Boulevard.

VOTE FOR ME IN GALLERY BETHESDA VIDEO CONTEST

If you have 15 seconds to spare, please consider liking this Facebook post - the post with the most likes by April 1 will win the Gallery Bethesda video contest.

You don't even have to watch the video; just click the link, it will take you directly to the post for my entry, click the Like button right there on the post, and that's it.

If you can do it, I thank you!

DUNKIN' DONUTS/BASKIN-ROBBINS OPENS ON CORDELL AVENUE IN BETHESDA (PHOTO)

A third downtown Bethesda Dunkin' Donuts opened Saturday, in the Norfolk-Cordell II building at Norfolk and Cordell Avenues. This store also includes a Baskin-Robbins ice cream parlor. One of the 3 existing Dunkin' Donuts shops, the original Bethesda Row location, is expected to close this summer. Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin Robbins is the last of the initial tenants of the Steven Karr-designed building to open.

PIKE AND ROSE MARKETING GOES UNDERGROUND IN WHITE FLINT (PHOTOS)

If you've driven on Rockville Pike, you know there are many signs up advertising the future Pike and Rose development, under construction on the former Mid-Pike Plaza site. But even subterranean dwellers know Pike and Rose is on the way, with these large ads in the underground tunnel beneath the Pike at the White Flint Metro.

While Pike and Rose has a distinct branding from Bethesda Row, both Federal Realty developments share slick and upscale as descriptors of their marketing products. The primary difference is that Pike and Rose is emphasized more as a lifestyle center, given its larger scale and greater number of housing units. A basic theme of the "Inspired" campaign is that the nearby Metro station and trails, and on-site fitness facilities and farm market, will inspire residents to lead healthier lives. Well, except for the "Death by Chocolate" panel.

Phase 1 of Pike and Rose will open this year, and the PerSei apartments are already leasing.

Here's a look at the underground ads:

BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on March 27, according to crime data:

Theft. Auburn Avenue at Norfolk Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. Suburban Hospital.

Assault/"other sexual offense." 3400 block Woolsey Drive (Chevy Chase).

Theft. 5300 block Western Avenue (Mazza Gallerie area).

Vehicle burglary. 3200 block Woodbine Street (Chevy Chase).

Theft. 10200 block Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood Shopping Center area).

WMATA WANTS YOUR OPINIONS ON METRO

WMATA is surveying bus and subway riders online, and in public forums. Riders who take the survey could win a $50 Smart Trip card. The survey and forums are two ways for the agency to comply with its obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. "Speak Up! It's Your Ride," is the official name of the communication effort.

DUCHY TRACHTENBERG ON WHEELS IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Montgomery County Council District 1 candidate Duchy Trachtenberg's campaign rolled out a unique electioneering vehicle this week in downtown Bethesda - literally. A bicycle pulling a Trachtenberg election poster stopped in front of Bethesda Green.

Trachtenberg is challenging incumbent Roger Berliner, who has held the seat since 2006, when he defeated Howard Denis. Elected with labor support in 2006, Trachtenberg has followed a non-linear path since. In 2010, she declined to participate in the labor endorsement process, and subsequently was defeated by current councilmember Hans Riemer. In recent days, Trachtenberg has again been courting labor support.

While she ran on a slow-growth "slate" of sorts in 2006 (with Pat Baptiste, Marc Elrich, and Cary Lamari), Trachtenberg's current campaign is receiving energetic backing from several major development firms. Those firms were angered by Berliner's vote to reduce the size of their Clarksburg-area projects, after concerns were raised about their impact on the health of Ten Mile Creek. The move was viewed by developers as an unfair changing of the rules mid-stream (pun possibly intended). Several prominent company representatives organized a major fundraiser for Trachtenberg recently.

That money will make this an interesting Democratic primary to watch, but not quite the level of the battle royale ahead in District 5.

Trachtenberg resides in North Bethesda.

FORMER BERRY YOGURT SPACE GETS THE WINDOW PAPER TREATMENT (PHOTOS)

Berry Yogurt closed its doors permanently on Norfolk Avenue about a month ago. The space has been cleared out, and is for lease. In the last few days, paper covering over the windows has appeared.

QUARTERMAINE COFFEE ADDS LIGHT ROAST IN BETHESDA

Quartermaine Coffee Roasters has added a Light Roast coffee to their lineup. It is Papua New Guinea Aromatica. This light roast features an herbal aroma, with a tangy flavor more full-bodied than Kenya or Guatemala Aromatica. Now is a good time to try something new, with Caribou Coffee having closed recently (although it will soon reopen as Peet's Coffee and Tea).

Quatermaine Coffee is the epitome of "buy local" - the small chain's coffees are roasted right here in Montgomery County, near the venerable Randolph Hills Shopping Center (extra points if you remember the Roth's Parkway 123 movie theater).

There are two Quartermaine coffee shops here in Bethesda, one at Bethesda Row, and one in the Georgetown Square Shopping Center:

Quartermaine Coffee Roasters 

4817 Bethesda Ave

Bethesda, MD 20814

Phone: (301) 718-2853

10400 Old Georgetown Road

Bethesda, MD 20814

Phone: (240) 396-6319

BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on March 25, according to crime data:

Vehicle theft. 4500 block East-West Highway (near Pearl Street).

Vehicle burglary. 5600 block Madison Street (Suburban Hospital area).

Theft. 5200 block Pooks Hill Road.

Theft. 8300 block Whitman Drive (Bradley Park neighborhood).

Vehicle burglary. 5700 block Marinelli Road (White Flint).

BETHESDA SIDEWALK CLOSURE UPDATE (PHOTOS)

Renovations continue on two sidewalks in downtown Bethesda - Norfolk Avenue near St. Elmo Avenue, and on Elm Street at Bethesda Row.

Yesterday, workers began to install brick pavers in the new sidewalk along Norfolk. The Elm Street project has a new layer of concrete down.

Here's a photo gallery of the latest progress; click on the individual photos for more detail:

NORFOLK AVENUE

ELM STREET

TACO BELL WAFFLE TACO REVIEW (VIDEO)

Taco Bell Breakfast is here, and here is my first review from the menu! The Waffle Taco is available in Egg and Cheese, Sausage or Bacon versions. I chose to start with the sausage version, which has a sausage patty, scrambled eggs, and cheese wrapped in a warm waffle. A packet of maple syrup comes with it, for dipping purposes.

How has the Taco Bell breakfast experiment turned out? Watch my detailed review and find out! I also give an update on the Taco Bell Breakfast Phone.

CLARK CONSTRUCTION OPENS FIELD OFFICE AT BETHESDA ROW (PHOTOS)

Clark Construction, the Bethesda-based construction firm building a massive development on the former site of Lot 31 at Bethesda Row, has opened a field office related to that project. The 4733 Bethesda Avenue space formerly belonged to the Sage Title Group, and is scheduled to eventually be demolished when a separate JBG project breaks ground in the future.

This Clark project involves construction of two luxury residential buildings (The Darcy, and The Flats), and a 900-space public parking garage, that will run underneath both buildings. A realignment and rebuilding of demolished Woodmont Avenue will complete the development. The developer is StonebridgeCarras.

It's interesting to see documents related to the 3 projects on display inside.

Here are some of the views of the construction site from the new Clark office:

THIEVES HIT VEHICLES IN TWO BETHESDA NEIGHBORHOODS - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Thieves broke into 7 vehicles in four areas of Bethesda on Monday, according to crime data. Two neighborhoods were victimized most: Wyngate and the vicinity of Green Acres. The other two auto break-ins were reported in downtown Bethesda and Luxmanor.

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on March 24, according to crime data:

Vehicle burglary. 4900 block Fairmont Avenue.

Theft. 7400 block Wisconsin Avenue (near East-West Highway).

Theft. 8700 block Irvington Avenue (Bradley Hills).

Vehicle burglary. 4900 block Greenway Drive (Green Acres).

Vehicle burglary. 5300 block Worthington Drive (Glen Cove, near Green Acres).

Vehicle burglary. 4900 block Bayard Boulevard (Crestview, near Green Acres).

Vehicle burglary. 6000 block Walton Road (Wyngate).

Vehicle burglary. 6000 block Melvern Drive (Wyngate).

Vehicle burglary. 6400 block Tilden Lane (Luxmanor).

Theft. 5700 block Marinelli Road (White Flint).

CASS WINERY WINE DINNER AT FOOD, WINE AND CO. APRIL 7 IN BETHESDA

Food Wine & Co. is hosting a 4-course wine dinner Monday, April 7, at 6:30 PM. Join Cass Winery's Ted Plemons for Chef Michael Harr's custom, 4-course menu with wine pairings. Tickets are $95 per person. 

Cass Vineyard and Winery is located on California's Central Coast, and 100% of their wines are estate-grown.

To reserve a seat, email Renee Reardon, or call 301.652.8008.

Food, Wine & Co., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue

SNEAK PEEK INSIDE NEW BETHESDA DUNKIN' DONUTS/BASKIN ROBBINS ICE CREAM (PHOTOS)

Bethesda's newest Dunkin' Donuts store - which also features a Baskin Robbins ice cream parlor - could open as early as Friday, in the Norfolk-Cordell II building at the corner of Norfolk and Cordell Avenues. It's around the corner from where Smashburger fronts onto Norfolk Avenue.

When you enter the doors, Dunkin' Donuts is straight ahead, and Baskin Robbins is to the side.

Click on photos to enlarge for detail:

MAKE MEANING BETHESDA ROW CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

Here is the latest progress at the future Make Meaning family activity and party center on Bethesda Avenue. 

You can see the new facade, with multi-colored panels, has been added. If you recall what the space used to look like, there is much more glass here (there previously was brick around the ground floor entrance in front). A somewhat frumpy design overall has been replaced with a modern, industrial look. 

This is the company's first DC-area location; Make Meaning has others in New York City, Arizona, California and Boston. The NYC flagship is a favorite of celebrity moms Katie Holmes and Jennifer Garner.

Click on photos to enlarge for detail:

TWO BURGLARIES IN BETHESDA - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on March 23, according to crime data:

Disorderly conduct. Maple Avenue at Maple Terrace (Chevy Chase near downtown Bethesda).

Assault. 6900 block Carmichael Avenue (near Wilson Lane/Cabin John Parkway).

Burglary. 5000 block River Road (east of Little Falls Parkway).

Burglary. 6100 block MacArthur Boulevard (near Dalecarlia Reservoir).

Theft. Sears at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

WITH LARGE FIRMS STEERING CLEAR, MONTGOMERY COUNTY LOWERS EXPECTATIONS ON OFFICE LEASING

AKRIDGE DIVIDING FLOOR

INTO SMALLER SUITES

IN BETHESDA; SPACES

QUALIFY FOR NEW

COUNTY SUBSIDY

What was once denied, is now the newest buzzphrase in Montgomery County: the county office market is weak. With no large employer moving to the county in over a decade, the government - and struggling office building owners - are scrambling to temper once-high hopes.

The gleaming building at 7550 Wisconsin Avenue, that was completely renovated into a Class A office tower by developer Akridge, was poised to become a hot business address. 18 months later? It's a vacant monument to a business climate that fails to appeal to major firms searching America for a new corporate headquarters.

With no significant policy or taxation changes on the horizon, no plans to build a new Potomac River crossing for the Dulles Airport access international firms demand, and landlords having to still pay their bills while vacant, some are now thinking small.

Montgomery County's Economic Development Fund is now offering a program designed to attract smaller firms to vacant office space in the county. The MOVE program will offer $4-per-square-foot rent subsidies to a first-time renting firm that meets 4 criteria. Spaces that qualify are limited to those between 2,000 and 10,000 square feet.

Akridge is ahead of the downward curve in Bethesda.

The company is currently in the process of dividing the fourth floor of 7550 Wisconsin into 3 suites - on spec, as there are still no tenants. But going forward, those new suites would likely qualify for the new MOVE subsidy. There are still many other floors in the building, however. According to a source, Akridge is open to dividing other floors into suites, if the initiative proves successful on the fourth floor.

4825 MONTGOMERY LANE LUXURY CONDOS - BETHESDA CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

Here's the latest progress at the construction site for the 4825 Montgomery Lane in downtown Bethesda. As you may recall, this project is for a 4-story, luxury condo building where each unit consists of an entire floor. The site was formerly a single family home. 4825 is one of several prestigious addresses under construction in the Arlington Road corridor.