More MoCo Planning Department shenanigans on Marriott HQ project

The agenda for the
Development Review Committee
...until it's not

I have to laugh when I hear the candidates for the Montgomery County Planning Board refer to finding new ways to improve outreach in the planning process. Because I certainly wasn't laughing yesterday morning, when I attempted to exercise my right of public participation in the planning process for the Marriott headquarters and hotel megaproject. The meeting was scheduled to begin at 9:30 AM, gas is not free, and neither is the lowdown dirty set-up of forcing citizens to pay to participate in the planning process, by having metered parking at the planning HQ. When I got there at 9:30, the conference room was dark and empty.

What's going on here? I had double-checked the agenda online before leaving. Not only was there supposed to be a meeting, but Marriott was first on the agenda, as it had been for weeks.

Well, it turns out that a double whammy was pulled.

First, the meeting time was moved back to 10:00 AM. Well, that was just wrong, moving a standard meeting time 30 minutes later. But, wait - there's more! Marriott is now last on the agenda, and will be going on at 11:30 AM. The same time as the Macedonia Baptist Church protest at the Montgomery County Council Building in Rockville, and there's absolutely no question that I am going to be there.

I waited as long as I could, but nope, things dragged out just long enough. As I pulled out of the overpriced parking lot, where I had wasted several dollars parking for nothing, I could see the Marriott team heading toward the building. Whatever information I as a Bethesda resident had a right to learn about the Marriott project, and share with you, my fellow Bethesda residents on this blog, remains top secret. No apologies - if you wasted gas and time driving here for the Marriott review, well, too bad.

That is not an open process.

The department is fully aware of the high interest in this major project. Such a meeting should not be altered in time at the last minute. And it most certainly should not be altered without updating ALL of the agendas posted online. Check out this agenda - it's still online (until they take it down).

While it was stated that Marriott was expected to go overtime - too bad! The Planning Board does the same thing to us, the taxpayers, all the time. They use the parking meters as leverage, in fact. Numerous times, even when there is a big crowd there to testify, they have moved an agenda item to the end. This guarantees your meter is going to run out. Do you run out to put more quarters in, and miss being called to speak? Or just get a ticket? Ridiculous!

Yet, we are often forced to sit there, hour after hour through updates about plans and other irrelevant topics. Why can the developers not sit there, too, if Marriott runs over? Why is there anything else on the agenda with Marriott to begin with, if it is so complicated? The issues for the two projects that took Marriott's place were so minor, it was a waste of those applicants' time to haul them in there yesterday.

Once again, the department shows a shocking lack of respect for the citizens who are making an effort to participate in the process. If there is an important agenda item of great interest to the community, that item should be first, out of courtesy to the residents. And the time of the meeting itself certainly should not be changed.

What is going on here? "Find new ways?" How about respecting the time of the people who pay the salaries and keep the lights on at Planning HQ, and hold the meetings we have now when they are scheduled to be held?

Source: Tastee Diner agrees to sell, will be acquired for Marriott HQ site in Bethesda

A source tells me the owner of Tastee Diner has agreed to sell the venerable restaurant's property, to make way for a larger Marriott headquarters and hotel to be built on that block in downtown Bethesda. After several months of negotiations with the Marriott site property owner, Tastee Diner has reportedly agreed to sell for $7 million. That is $2 million more than the offer they received in February.

Whether the diner would move to a new location, remains to be determined. If the deal goes through, Montgomery County officials should insist that a Hot Shoppes restaurant be included in the future hotel to balance out the nostalgia factor.

The Marriott headquarters project is a partnership between the hotel giant, property owner Bernstein Companies and Boston Properties. It is expected to deliver in 2022. Tastee Diner is located at 7731 Woodmont Avenue, a corner of the same block as the Marriott site, which is addressed as 7750 Wisconsin Avenue.

Source: Marriott wants to buy Tastee Diner in Bethesda

According to a source, Marriott Corporation has made an offer to buy the landmark Tastee Diner at 7731 Woodmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The Bethesda-based hospitality giant is preparing to build a new headquarters and hotel just down the street, where the vacant Tako Grill, Bethesda Court Hotel and Connor Building property are. In an apparent acknowledgement of the constrained size of that site, it appears the company is exploring the potential of buying up the rest of the north end of the block.

Aerial view of
Tastee Diner; the tall
building next to it
reflecting the neon light
is the Blackwell Building;
to the diner's right is the
Woodmont Grill

Reportedly, Marriott's current offer to the owners of Tastee Diner is $5 million. Of course, they would need to also buy up one of the most popular restaurants in Bethesda to connect to the Tastee Diner property, Woodmont Grill. There is also the Blackwell Building at the corner of Wisconsin and Norfolk Avenues.

The Marriott project is about 5 years off from completion, and the Connor Building was just recently demolished.

Bethesda Marriott headquarters site revealed (Photos)

Marriott Corporation announced it has selected 7750 Wisconsin Avenue as the site of its future new headquarters and a 230-room Marriott hotel. The deal with the Bernstein Companies and Boston Properties means there won't be a Westin Bethesda hotel after all.

The $600 million project gives the already-Bethesda-based hotel giant the high-visibility site on Wisconsin Avenue it sought, as well as easy access to Metro. Both the 22-story headquarters and hotel are expected to deliver in 2022.

While the hotel will have 8000 SF of meeting and event ballroom space, as well as ground floor and rooftop dining options, there is no word yet as to whether Marriott will offer any of its Hot Shoppes favorites such as the Mighty Mo. The Marriott Burger will be a sure bet, however.

Eight-hundred garage parking spaces will be augmented by leased spaces in the nearby Woodmont Corner Garage 11. The chosen location is currently home to the Connor Building and Bethesda Court Hotel.

“Montgomery County has been Marriott International’s home for more than 60 years, and we take great pride in the strong relationships we’ve developed and the contributions we have made as a committed community partner,” Carolyn Handlon, Executive Vice President Finance & Global Treasurer for Marriott International. said in a statement this morning “That’s a tradition—and promise to the community—that started with Marriott’s founders 90 years ago. We look forward to continuing that legacy as we create our new, 21st century home in downtown Bethesda and continue our work as the world’s largest hotel company.”

Renderings courtesy Marriott Corporation

Marriott to stay in Bethesda, build downtown headquarters and hotel

Montgomery County hasn't attracted a single major corporation in nearly two decades, but at least the latest one threatening to depart has decided to stay. Marriott President and CEO Arne Sorenson announced this morning that the company has decided to relocate, but only from its Fernwood Road site into downtown Bethesda.

A site search is underway for 700,000 SF of office space, and also a 200+ room Marriott-branded hotel. According to the official announcement, negotiations are underway on several sites in downtown Bethesda, and the final choice is expected to be announced in the first half of 2017.

It's worth noting that if anything falls through, Marriott explicitly notes in the release that it could still relocate to another jurisdiction. That pointedly includes "support from the State and County."

The most logical sites, in my opinion, would be the Brookfield site on the Metro Center plaza, or Carr Properties' major redevelopment of the Apex Building property. Having said that, the Metro site is right up against the Hyatt, and the Apex plan would have to be significantly revised. Maybe one of our resident real estate experts can weigh in as to other potential properties that could fit these requirements.

In any case, this is great news indeed for Bethesda. All indications are that Gov. Larry Hogan's behind-the-scenes role has been critical to keeping this major corporation in a County whose elected officials have strongly anti-business voting records and policies. County Executive Ike Leggett credited Hogan in his official statement on the Marriott move.

“Marriott is a world-class company with deep roots in our state, and their decision to continue growing their business right here in Maryland is tremendous news,” Hogan said in a statement. “For over 60 years they have been a vital member of our business community, employing thousands of Marylanders, and making a real and lasting positive impact on our state’s economy."

BETHESDA'S MARRIOTT CORPORATION HIRES ACTORS FROM SPIDER-MAN, THE GOOD WIFE FOR HOTEL-THEMED MOVIE

Could the next big screen movie heroes at your local cineplex be a couple of Marriott hotel bellhops? Bethesda's Marriott Corporation is pouring significant resources into its new creative content arm, Marriott Content Studio. Now that venture is moving to your local movie theater and streaming video services.

Two Bellmen, a short film about, well, two bellmen at a Marriott hotel, who (try to) foil thieves at a hotel art event, will be shot January 5-11, 2015 at the Los Angeles JW Marriott Hotel. But the protagonists aren't actually Marriott bellmen. Giving Paul Blart a run for his money will be William Spencer (Spider-Man) and Caine Sinclair (Grimm, How I Met Your Mother) as the titular luggage toters. 

They'll be joined by Henry Simmons (Marvel: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.); Miles Brown a.ka. Baby Boogaloo (ABC’s Black-ish); Sophina Brown (Shark; Numb3rs; The Good Wife); noted B-boy dancer Josue "Beastmode" Figueroa (Southland, STEP UP REVOLUTION); Josue Antonio (STEP UP series; The LXD); Taryn Southern (The Single Life); and Stephen “tWitch” Boss (STEP UP films; So You Think You Can Dance; MAGIC MIKE XXL).

Daniel “Malakai” Cabrera will direct.

Marriott, targeting the coveted millennial audience like many lodging companies these days, is banking that putting its brand where that audience is - entertainment, social media - will pay dividends down the road.

It's also making a big splash by becoming the first major hotel chain to join Snapchat, where its @MarriottHotels account will go live tomorrow. That social media effort includes signing up content creators with big followings on a variety of platforms, including Shaun McBride, Brittany Furlan, Casey Neistat, and the UK's Louis Cole. 

Marriott just launched a new travel and lifestyle publication on Medium.com, with a lead-off story about the construction of its new Marriott Port-au-Prince hotel in a post-earthquake Haiti. It's also sending YouTube's Vagabrothers on worldwide trip, to be documented via online videos and posts.

Expect more of this in the future, as corporations try to reach their target audiences while methods like banner ads fade in favor of sponsored content.

CALL FOR FOOD TRUCKS AT SMALL PRESS EXPO AT NORTH BETHESDA MARRIOTT

One fan of independent comic book gathering Small Press Expo, September 13-14 at the North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center, is dissatisfied with the nearby food options. She put out a plea on Twitter yesterday to all food trucks interested in "getting rich."

One assumes she is referring to food options that would be in the lower end of the cost spectrum, as there are actually several good restaurants a short distance from the hotel. Chef Geoff's and Timpano Italian Chophouse are both great (I recommend the Big Shrimp and Extra Gouda Grits at Chef Geoff's, and the donuts), and Brio and Paladar are almost next door to the hotel. Matchbox is further up the Pike, at Congressional Plaza.

Furthermore, while room service can tend to have "boardwalk" pricing, I've never stayed in a Marriott-branded hotel that didn't have a Marriott Burger on the menu. That's always a reliable and excellent choice.

I'd be perfectly satisfied with the McDonald's, Arby's and Popeye's right by the hotel, and there's a Chick-Fil-A just across the Montrose Parkway.

But consider this an invitation, food trucks of Montgomery County!

A VEHICLE BREAK-IN AT TWO MARRIOTT HOTELS IN BETHESDA ON THE SAME DAY - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

A rare but strange coincidence at two of the safest hotels in the country - a single vehicle was reported broken into at two different Bethesda Marriotts on Saturday.

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on August 2, according to crime data:

Disorderly conduct. 7900 block Norfolk Avenue.

Theft. 4500 block Highland Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. Unit block of Goldsboro Court.

Vehicle burglary. Bethesda Marriott, 5151 Pooks Hill Road.

Theft. 11300 block Woodglen Drive (White Flint).

Vehicle burglary. North Bethesda Marriott Conference Center.

BETHESDA'S MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL

TO OPEN

WORLD'S TALLEST HOTEL

IN 2012 -

BUT WHY NOT IN

BETHESDA?

Exciting news from Marriott International headquarters here in Bethesda. The company will have the world's tallest hotel when the J.W. Marriott Marquis Dubai opens its doors late in 2012.

1,164 feet tall, the hotel will be only 85 ft. shorter than the Empire State Building!

With 1608 rooms, 9 restaurants, 5 entertainment venues and lounges, 2 ballrooms, 24 meeting rooms, 16,000 sq. ft. Saray Spa, 7th floor pool deck with 32m pool and private cabanas, and convention capacity for up to 1,000 attendees... ...when can I make a reservation?

Restaurant choices include Prime 68 Steakhouse, Atul Kochar's Rang Mahal Indian restaurant (and restaurant name of the year!), Positano Italian restaurant, a to-be-named Arabic restaurant (this sounds the most interesting), and boulangerie La Farine, which Marriott promises will be a social "meeting spot."

With billions of business travelers within 5 flight hours of Dubai, there will be a lot of people to meet. And live music nightly.

The Marquis designation is rarely given by Marriott. In fact, the only other Marriott so branded is in Miami. It signifies "scale, grandeur and location."

They couldn't have picked a better place. Dubai may be the most impressive city in the world today in terms of architecture. It is one of the very few places in the world that has at least attempted to match design with our advanced year in time - 2012 A.D.

My only question is, why can't we do this in Bethesda? Certainly we have a shortage of hotel rooms in town.

Besides the oft-imitated Bethesda Row, there are very few impressive buildings in town. I would count the Gothamesque Capital One building, the Newlands Building, the Bethesda Metro Center buildings, and the various Nathan Landau properties among the successes downtown.

We shouldn't just be reaching for the sky in height, but in design and materials, as well. Give me steel and glass any day over these cookie-cutter, short colored-brick boxes. Brick is perfect for houses, but not for modern, urban architecture.

So many of the buildings now in development have boring designs, and are a waste of valuable land with their heights topping out far below what could and should be built.

I still oppose the urbanization of the parts of Bethesda outside the downtown. It's curious that developers and the politicians they get elected are intent on doing so. Urbanizing a suburban county, including building a city in the middle of the country (Science City), is the definition of sprawl. There seems to be an emphasis on the number of developments, rather than the "density" so often talked about.

Can't we do what a few in Bethesda - and many in Dubai - have done: push the design and height envelopes?

I'm looking forward to the new Westin Bethesda hotel, but it won't be a tower. It would be great if Marriott took the lead in its hometown, and gave us a J.W. Marriott Marquis Bethesda.