Bethesda construction update: The Kensington Bethesda (Photos)

Construction of The Kensington Bethesda, an assisted-living residential development, has made great progress at 5485 Westbard Avenue. Developed by Kensington Senior Living, the facility replaced the Westwood Center II mini-mall and a Citgo gas station. The 75' tall building will have an estimated capacity of around 155 residents, in about 112 units. Under the 105,000-square-foot gross floor area building will be two levels of garage parking, which will be accessed from Westbard Avenue. KSL anticipates a summer 2025 delivery.

Montgomery County, Maryland miss target again as Virginia wins Kongsberg missile facility

Montgomery County and Maryland hit the snooze button again, and Virginia picked up another economic development victory while their rivals across the Potomac slept. Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace announced this week that it has chosen Virginia as the location for a new cruise missile production facility. The 150,000-square-foot complex will be constructed in James City County, and will manufacture Kongsberg's Naval Strike Missiles and Joint Strike Missiles. Both are anticipated to remain in high demand, and the Norwegian firm believes it is likely to win another contract from the U.S. Department of Defense soon.

A press release from the office of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Virginia beat out two unidentified states in the competition for the Kongsberg facility. Youngkin made his winning case to Kongsberg during his trade mission to Europe this past April. While Youngkin was sealing the deal in Europe, the Montgomery County Council was passing legislation regulating hours for hookah lounges.

The factory will create more than 180 high-wage jobs. And this is actually the second Kongsberg production facility Maryland has lost out on; Pennsylvania won the first one in 2008, and the firm announced it will be expanding its Johnstown operation to handle the increased demand. It seems Kongsberg factories are dropping out of the sky everywhere around us, but landing everywhere but here. Such high-wage job creation is desperately needed not only in Montgomery County, but across Maryland from Cumberland and Hagerstown to Baltimore and Salisbury.

"Kongsberg's decision to establish its first U.S. defense assembly facility in Virginia reaffirms our status as America's top state for business," Youngkin said in a statement Tuesday. In contrast, a January report from the Maryland Comptroller's Office "found that Maryland is behind neighboring states and the nation in gross domestic product, personal income, real wages and population growth," the Associated Press reported. 

Photo courtesy Kongsberg

Donutchew moves to bigger spot at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Donutchew has relocated at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The mochi donut chain had such a great success with its mall kiosk, that it has upgraded to a larger stall at the outer end of the Dining Terrace food court. Its kiosk space has been walled off. Look for Donutchew on Level 2 of the mall, next to Cellaxs, and across from Chocolate Moonshine.

AMC Theatres adds vibrating seat PRIME at AMC experience at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

AMC Theatres has completed the conversion to reclining seats in all auditoriums at the AMC Montgomery 16 cineplex at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. But it has also topped off the retrofit of the old ArcLight Cinemas by offering its new PRIME at AMC moviegoing experience for some films. PRIME auditoriums feature newer projection technology that provides brighter colors and richer contrasts, surround sound, and "reverberating recliners." 

An AMC employee said that one auditorium is currently outfitted with the new PRIME system. A subwoofer in the recliner creates a vibrating or "reverberating" effect that, combined with the surround sound, provides a more immersive experience. Along with the superior screen images, the overall aim is to offer something as close to IMAX as possible in theaters that were not originally built to IMAX dimensions for screen size or sound configuration. 

The PRIME auditorium at AMC Montgomery 16 is currently hosting screenings of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice this afternoon, and of Transformers One this evening. That gives you an idea of the genres of film likely to get the PRIME treatment going forward, and that best capitalize on the technology. This was a nice bonus surprise to cap off the conversion from ArcLight to AMC at Montgomery Mall, along with the recliners and MacGuffins Bar.

Fairfax Connector now operating express bus between Bethesda and Tysons

An old idea that flopped before is being tried again. There was once an express bus that ran between the Bethesda Metro Center and Tysons, but it was eventually terminated due to low ridership. Now that Montgomery County has fallen in status to become a bedroom community for the booming job centers in Northern Virginia, Fairfax County sees potential in the growing numbers of MoCo residents who commute to work in the Tysons area each weekday.

A secondary market is shoppers who would use the new Route 798 to reach malls in Tysons, or Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. I suspect that ridership is going to be minimal at best, especially with weekday-only service.

Route 798 stops in Bethesda at Montgomery Lane and East Lane, Medical Center Metro station, Montgomery Mall, Tysons Metro station, and Tysons West Park transit station. The base fare without transfers or one of several discounts is $4.80.

Burke & Herbert Bank returning to downtown Bethesda

Burke & Herbert Bank is returning to downtown Bethesda. The oldest continuously-operating bank in the region that hasn't changed its name, Alexandria-based Burke & Herbert has stuck to the Virginia side of the Potomac until recently. In 2022, the firm opened its first Maryland office at The Wilson at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, which appears to have since closed. But Burke & Herbert isn't giving up on Bethesda, where it has seen great potential due to heavy real estate development activity - which, along with biotech, is the only bright spot in an otherwise-moribund Montgomery County economy.

It has now leased the long-vacant EagleBank space at 7809 Woodmont Avenue. Leasing at that building was hampered by the potential redevelopment of the former bank site and some adjoining parcels. Plans for what would have been the tallest building in Bethesda were tabled for the near future, allowing for long-term leases at the property.

Signs for the new loan production office list operating hours as "by appointment only." There are still a few things to get in order before opening, such as replacing the EagleBank welcome mat inside the entrance, and bringing in furniture. EagleBank moved about a block away to the corner of Fairmont Avenue and Old Georgetown Road.

Police investigate embezzlement at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of embezzlement at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda Saturday afternoon, September 14, 2024. The embezzlement was reported at the mall at 1:00 PM Saturday. Which mall tenant or office the funds were allegedly embezzled from has not yet been identified.

Lighted signs installed at new Cecil Apartments in Bethesda

Lighted logo signs have been installed just below the roofline at the new Cecil Apartments at 8015 Old Georgetown Road, at the edge of downtown Bethesda. Last night, they were lit up. Such branding signage, high up on the facade and illuminated, is rare for residential buildings in our area. Similar signs were installed on the The Rae, another new apartment complex near Montgomery Mall, earlier this year. So it's a trend we may see more of in the near future.

Purse snatched at Westbard Giant in Bethesda

Montgomery County police were called to the Giant store at 5320 Zenith Overlook in Bethesda Friday afternoon, September 13, 2024. A purse was snatched at the supermarket at the Westbard Square development around 3:53 PM. According to police, no force was used by the thief in grabbing the purse.

Sisters Sandwiches & Such opening in Bethesda

Sisters Sandwiches & Such is opening a third Montgomery County location in downtown Bethesda. It will be located at 4520 East-West Highway. The deli sandwich shop serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and also offers catering services. "Coming soon" signage has been posted in the windows of their future storefront. Sisters has existing locations in Olney and Germantown. Check out the Bethesda menu below:

Firefighters investigate smoke in wooded area on Goldsboro Rd. in Bethesda

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service personnel responded to a report of smoke on Goldsboro Road near River Road in Bethesda this afternoon. The smoke was spotted rising from a wooded area behind Concord-St. Andrew's United Methodist Church at 5910 Goldsboro Road after 3:00 PM. Firefighters attempted to locate the source of the smoke from the church property side, and the Goldsboro side. MCFRS spokespersons have not commented on the incident yet. This story will be updated if more information becomes available.

Home invasion in East Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a home invasion in East Bethesda on September 10, 2024. The break-in was reported in the 4500 block of Middleton Lane at 1:52 PM. A male suspect damaged a screen door, and then kicked the locked back door of the home until it gave way, destroying the door frame and damaging part of the wall. The man fled after an occupant of the home began shouting and called police.

Two occupants of another East Bethesda home were seriously injured during a home invasion last month, when they were beaten by the suspect who had broken into their house. The suspect in that case has been arrested and charged. Police have not yet released a description of the suspect in the September 10 home invasion. If you have any information about the Middleton Lane incident, or can help identify and locate the suspect, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Dunkin' Donuts reopens at Bethesda Metro Center

Dunkin' Donuts has reopened at the Bethesda Metro Center. The store temporarily closed for renovations earlier this month. It appeared to have permanently closed at that time, as there was no message to customers posted, the windows were covered with paper, and Dunkin' Donuts removed the location from its national website. The Bethesda Metro Center store has now reappeared on the website's "Find Your Nearest Dunkin' Location" page.

NIghttime lane closures ahead at Chevy Chase Lake

Watch for nighttime lane closures on Connecticut Avenue between Jones Bridge Road and Dunlop Street in Chevy Chase beginning tomorrow night, September 15, 2024. The Purple Line construction-related closures will take place as needed for about three weeks. Crews will be completing utility work under the Purple Line bridge at Chevy Chase Lake during that time. Work hours will be from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM.

Downtown Bethesda construction site burglarized

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a burglary at a construction site in downtown Bethesda early Thursday morning, September 12, 2024. The burglary was reported at a construction site in the 4700 block of Montgomery Lane at 7:13 AM. Officers arriving at the scene found evidence of forced entry to the site. No word yet on what, if anything, might have been stolen by the burglar(s). 

Nada closes at Pike & Rose

Nada has closed at 11886 Grand Park Avenue at Pike & Rose. The Mexican restaurant had a decent run, opening in November 2018 in the ground floor of The Henri apartments. Nada appears to be down to three remaining locations, with two in its home state of Ohio, and one in Indiana. A Nashville location closed about 7 months ago.