Property owner plans to keep restaurant as
When property owner Federal Realty recently previewed plans for future development at Bethesda Row that showed the site of Uncle Julio's being redeveloped as part of a new building, this led to much public discussion about the fate of the popular restaurant. I now have a statement from Federal Realty about this question:
"Uncle Julio’s has been a fixture in Bethesda for over 33 years and a partner with Federal Realty for almost 20 years. Amid the excitement of our proposed plan to add housing to downtown Bethesda at Bethesda Row, there has been some confusion about whether or not Uncle Julio’s is leaving the neighborhood. While we have taken the first steps toward seeking approval for a residential and retail project, it could take several years to bring to fruition. We value our relationship with Uncle Julio’s and plan to keep them as a fixture at Bethesda Row for many years to come."
So it appears there is no closure imminent for Uncle Julio's (a.k.a. Rio Grande by many longtime residents). And as I mentioned in my coverage of the new development plans, there is always the real possibility that even when this development happens in the future, that Uncle Julio's could return in the ground floor of the new building or move to another space at Bethesda Row.
One additional piece of context here: The cap on housing growth in the 2017 Bethesda Downtown Plan is impelling many property owners to seek approval of new buildings now, even if they don't plan to break ground at this time. Such approvals have a life span, and extensions on them can be sought.
Therefore, Uncle Julio's isn't going anywhere anytime soon. And the future plans do not mean that the restaurant won't remain a Bethesda fixture into that future.
Double check first sentence of last paragraph?
ReplyDeleteI don’t think the Bethesda Sector Plan specifically caps housing growth in downtown. I believe the density cap applies to all types of uses. I agree that it seems to be accelerating the process of getting projects entitled before the optional method of development can’t utilize the bonus density available in the sector plan. It is important to understand that entitlement does indeed expire at some point, but yes, extensions can be sought or years.
ReplyDeletePerhaps Uncle Julio’s could temporarily or permanently move into the Riggsby space if that project does not move forward.
Thank you for this! In the second to last line, please add "not"!
ReplyDeleteToo bad. It was very good for a long time but has gone down hill and is way too chain-like.
ReplyDeleteI much preferred when it was Rio.
6:39/7:30: Thanks for catching that - I've corrected that word now.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the history? I remember when it was Rio Grande cafe on Fairmont, and that President Bush (senior) visited it one day. Was it part of a chain then, or the chain grew out of the Bethesda location (like California Tortilla)?
ReplyDelete