Bethesda Marriott HQ lobby showing signs of life (Photos)

The lobby at the new Marriott International headquarters at 7750 Wisconsin Avenue is finally starting to catch up to the exterior and upper floors of the building. Construction is still not complete on the lobby and employee cafeteria on the ground floor, but a new LED screen has been installed and activated. Last night it was displaying graphics. Employees will eventually relocate here from the existing North Bethesda HQ.

Surging Wes Moore, Donald Trump-endorsed Dan Cox top Google searches in Maryland governor race

Democrat Wes Moore (left) and
Republican Dan Cox top Google searches
in Maryland governor race

The lack of polling in the Maryland race to decide who will succeed Republican Larry Hogan as governor is leaving pundits, candidates and voters alike in the dark. On the Democratic side of the contest, all prognosticators have had to look at recently are a straw poll, a tracking poll obtained by WUSA 9, and a poll conducted for the Wes Moore campaign by a well-known polling firm; no major polling data has been released on the Republican side of the race. One other data point we can look at is Google search data in Google Trends. It doesn't tell us who voters will cast their ballots for, but it does indicate whom the voters want to know more about, and which candidates' names are on the minds of the public.

Wes Moore (red) vs. Dan Cox (blue) in 
Google searches over the last year

Democrat Wes Moore is by far the most-searched for candidate in the governor race over the last year, according to Google Trends data. Among Republicans, Delegate Dan Cox is the most-searched for by a wide margin. Democrat Tom Perez is very competitive with Cox over the last year, making him the second most-searched for Democrat. Moore easily tops all Democrats, although it is difficult to get an accurate result for John King, as searches for the CNN journalist of the same name are mixed in with those for the gubernatorial candidate. "John King, Jr" produces a trend line far below that of Moore's.

Wes Moore (blue) vs. Democrats Tom Perez (yellow), 
Peter Franchot (red), Doug Gansler (green) and
Rushern Baker (purple)

Each of the three boast big-impact endorsers, and their popularity in Google search is consistent over the last year, less dependent on events to spike interest. All three also benefit from having a national profile. While Republican candidate Kelly Schulz is well-known in Maryland GOP circles, she is still introducing herself to voters outside of the party, including a six-figure radio and TV ad buy this month in the Baltimore and Washington markets. 

Dan Cox (blue) vs. Republicans Kelly Schulz (red),
Robin Ficker (yellow), Joe Werner (green)

Google Trends won't tell us definitively who the actual frontrunners are, or who is likely to win. But they tell us who is on the minds of the voters, and who they want to know more about. They provide another intriguing view of the race for political junkies, and another data point to synthesize with what little else is out there - fundraising totals, endorsements, event turnout, etc. - to give us some insight into one of the most competitive and fog-shrouded horse races for Maryland's top office in recent history.

Dan Cox (blue) neck-and-neck with Tom Perez (red)
in Google searches over the last year

Wes Moore (blue) vs. Democrats John King, Jr. (red),
Jon Baron (yellow), Ashwani Jain (green) and
Jerome Segal (purple)

Wes Moore (blue) vs. Kelly Schulz (red)

AC Hotel Bethesda construction update (Photos)

More signage has been installed at the AC Hotel Bethesda at 4646 Montgomery Avenue in downtown Bethesda. Here is another sneak peek inside the lobby, as well. Part of the Marriott portfolio of hotel brands, the AC is scheduled to open by August 2022.

Gas prices stable in Montgomery County as Maryland governor, comptroller squabble over July gas tax hike

Gas prices on River Road in
Bethesda late Tuesday night

Gas prices, by and large, haven't increased that much in Montgomery County since last week. The most notable hikes spotted as of late Tuesday night were on River Road in Bethesda, topping out at 14 cents at one station. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) and Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) have squabbled back and forth this week about the scheduled state gas tax hike from 36 to 43 cents on July 1, 2022. Hogan has asked Franchot to take action to protect consumers. The comptroller, who is running for governor, said he has no authority to do so. He suggested Hogan declare an emergency, or call the legislature back into emergency session.

Regular gas for cash-paying customers was actually down a cent from last Thursday at Marathon at 5143 River Road in Bethesda yesterday. Liberty on River was the same price as last Thursday yesterday at $4.69, according to the Gas Buddy app. But prices last night were up at other stations along that River Road strip: Sunoco was up 14 cents to $4.83. Mobil was up to $4.84, and Shell at $4.89. Citgo up on Westbard Avenue was 4-10 cents cheaper at $4.79.

Gas prices held steady in higher-priced downtown Bethesda. Regular was $4.97 at the Exxon at 8240 Wisconsin Avenue, and $4.99 at the two Liberty stations on Bradley Boulevard.

The cheapest cashless payment gas in Montgomery County as of late Tuesday night was found in Rockville at the Liberty station at 5400 Randolph Road, where regular was going for $4.45. If you can pay in cash, your buck would go further at Sunoco at 18701 Liberty Mill Road in Germantown ($4.42), Liberty at 26241 Ridge Road in Damascus ($4.43) and Freestate at 20650 Frederick Road in Germantown ($4.43).

As of last night, your other cheapest options are Carroll Motor Fuels at 26234 Ridge Road in Damascus ($4.45 cash), Liberty at 1900 Rockville Pike in Rockville ($4.46 - cash), and Shell at 2240 Veirs Mill Road in Rockville ($4.49).

In general, the cheapesr gas stations outside of Bethesda are largely charging about the same, or a few pennies more, as last week. 

7500 Old Georgetown renovations update (Photos)

A massive exterior and interior renovation project continues at the Clark Building at 7500 Old Georgetown Road at the Bethesda Metro Center. It is being rebranded as 7500 Old Georgetown.

7500's facade has a brighter, two-tone paint scheme, and the ground floor entrance is being completely overhauled to create an "activated lobby experience." Updates include a Metro level tenant lounge, a new fitness center, and a penthouse-level conference center and lounge. A new exterior plaza and landscaping will round out the changes. 

The $24 million renovation is anticipated to be completed this fall. Clark Enterprises sold the building to Stonebridge in 2019. Stonebridge has leased the building to Transwestern, which is now marketing the many available suites at the property to prospective tenants.

Tacombi to open today in Bethesda

The wait has been long, but Bethesda may finally get its first taste of what New York magazine termed the Big Apple's "absolute best taco." Tacombi will be open today, May 24, 2022, at 4749 Bethesda Avenue, a company spokesperson said. While the weather may not be optimal for outdoor dining today, you will get a chance to take in the Mexican aesthetic of the restaurant's indoor dining area. Tacombi started as a VW bus taco truck in Playa del Carmen, Mexico in 2005.

Utility work continues on Cordell Avenue in Bethesda

A utility project continues on Cordell Avenue in Bethesda. It appears to be a major electrical line replacement under the street. Watch for lane closures between Old Georgetown Road and Woodmont Avenue.

Cubasi Bistro now hiring in Bethesda

Cubasi Bistro is now hiring for its new downtown Bethesda location. The fast-casual Cuban restaurant will be opening at 4710 Bethesda Avenue, in the ground floor of The Seasons apartment tower. They've also added a "coming soon" sign in the window.