White Flint 2 community meeting tonight in Bethesda

Planners are hosting a community meeting on the White Flint 2 Sector Plan tonight, Wednesday, October 14, at Luxmanor Elementary School (6201 Tilden Lane) from 7:00-9:00 PM in Bethesda. They will discuss the scope of the plan, and answer questions. This is the second, future phase of the Pike District-branded redevelopment area previously known as White Flint.

Phase 2 construction update at Pike & Rose (Photos)

More parking is on the way at Federal Realty's Pike & Rose development, in the form of this new garage near Summer House Santa Monica, the PerSei apartments, and future restaurants Carluccio's and the unnamed establishment from the Neighborhood Restaurant Group.

Meanwhile, work has begun on Phase 2 of the development.

Water station for WSSC customers at Cedar Lane and Rockville Pike after Bethesda water main break

The WSSC has set up a water station to provide water to customers at the Boy Scouts of America headquarters at Cedar Lane and Rockville Pike. About 250 customers remain without water after a 74-year-old water main broke under the Pike on Tuesday. The intersection will remain a traffic problem until the work is completed.

Photo courtesy WSSC

Assault on Tuckerman La., drug arrest at The Monterey + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on October 10, according to crime data:

Theft from vehicle. 4300 block East-West Highway.

Liquor arrest. 7700 block Woodmont Avenue at 1:23 AM.

Theft. 7300 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 7200 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Liquor arrest. Wisconsin Avenue at Bradley Lane at 4:23 PM.

Disorderly conduct. 4700 block Chevy Chase Drive at 2:52 AM.

Disorderly conduct. 7000 block Fulton Street at 10:53 PM.

Death. 5600 block Wilson Lane at 11:24 AM.

Death. 8000 block Beech Tree Road at 8:26 AM.

Theft from vehicle. 10400 block Old Georgetown Road.

Assault. 7900 block Tuckerman Lane at 3:48 PM.

Drug arrest. The Monterey apartments at 1:09 AM (Pike District).

Kidnapping. 5400 block McGrath Boulevard at 9:00 PM (Pike District).

Christmas in October at Sears in Bethesda (Photos)

Halloween isn't here yet, but the Christmas decorations are coming out at Sears in Westfield Montgomery Mall. Olaf, Darth Vader and cans of Bud Light - the gang's all here.

Paisano's hoping for October opening in downtown Bethesda, Serpentine dance studio update (Photos)

The newest entry in the pizza category in downtown Bethesda, Paisano's, is hoping to open before the end of the month at 4914 Del Ray Avenue. They're still building out the interior of the former Naked Pizza space, so I would expect it to be late October at this point.

Serpentine Dance Studio

Meanwhile, over at the former home of a French video store at 4930 St. Elmo Avenue, the future Serpentine Dance Studio has finally posted some Coming Soon signage. It had previously been scheduled to open in July, but had run into delays. They are now promising a January opening.

Sex offense on Executive Blvd., theft at Lord & Taylor + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on October 9, according to crime data:

Drug arrest. 7900 block Wisconsin Avenue at 12:36 AM.

Drug arrest. 4900 block St. Elmo Avenue at 10:26 PM.

Drug arrest. 5800 block Inman Park Circle at 11:46 PM.

Theft. 9100 block Rockville Pike.

Vehicle burglary. 3900 block Woodlawn Road.

Theft. Lord & Taylor (White Flint Mall).

Other sexual offense. 5500 block Executive Boulevard at 5:03 PM (Pike District).

Theft. Nordstrom (Westfield Montgomery Mall).

First look: Chopt in the Flats at Bethesda Avenue (Photos)

Fast-casual salad chain Chopt has installed the permanent lighted sign, and it was lit this weekend, facing runners and cyclists passing it on the Capital Crescent Trail. Here's the first look inside the new restaurant, which joins Paul Bakery, Pottery Barn and Silver on the ground floor of the Flats at Bethesda Avenue luxury apartments.

Let the Sweetgreen vs. Chopt debate begin!

Demolition of main White Flint Mall building underway (Photos)

The Dark Side of White Flint, Part 38

Welcome to The Dark Side of White Flint, an ongoing series about the not-so-wonnerful, wonnerful, wonnerful side of urbanizing the suburbs of Montgomery County.

After destroying the parking decks surrounding the legendary mall, construction crews are now demolishing White Flint Mall itself. As you can see in these photos, the iconic entrance of the dead mall is demolition central right now, with piles of debris surrounding it.

Now that the recent court decision has vindicated the arguments both I and Lord & Taylor have been making for years, expect the demolition and posturing to continue by mall owner Lerner. All the threats you've been hearing about the development being unable to go forward is simply an attempt to influence the public, the media, elected officials - and ultimately the courts - to absolve them from their $31 million in legal obligations to Lord & Taylor. I salute Lord & Taylor for their continued willingness to fight, and for their loyalty to the patrons of their store and of the mall itself. Imagine trying to run that store when everyone is under the impression that the whole property is closed, and in direct violation of the agreement signed by both parties.

The question of whether or not Wegman's has lost interest in building a store on the grandfathered Bloomingdale's footprint is the actual issue that theoretically would be of most concern to Lerner. Long rumored, a Wegman's would have certainly been used by Lerner to deodorize the "town center" it intends to replace the mall with from public criticism. Without a coveted anchor like Wegman's, it will be far more challenging to draw traffic from the multiple other town centers that will be operating in the Pike District - and many more are on the way.

Certainly, some of these town centers will be successful. But is fully urbanizing the area going to be sustainable for 9 or more individual property owners, each having restaurants and stores that need to pay rent fighting for the same audience?

Explore the Dark Side further:

Take a last flight through the wreckage of White Flint Mall - aboard a drone!

All photos ©2015 Robert Dyer
Do not steal these photos without permission!

Motorcyclist killed in Bethesda crash

Update: 10:20 PM - Police have identified the deceased motorcyclist, and released details on the accident

Montgomery County Police say a motorcyclist, not a bicyclist, was killed in an auto accident earlier today in Bethesda. WNEW had earlier reported the man killed was riding a bicycle.

The crash occurred at the intersection of Old Georgetown Road and Lone Oak Drive in the southbound lanes.

Gary Bird Seward, 52, of the 7200 block of Greentree Road in Bethesda was traveling south on Old Georgetown on his blue, 2006 Harley Davidson shortly before 1:00 PM today. He was struck by a tan, 2005 Honda Accord attempting to turn left onto Lone Oak Drive. The Honda was driven by Barbara Ann Wilkerson, 85, of the 9500 block of Linden Avenue in Bethesda.

Seward was transported to Suburban Hospital, police say, where he died of his injuries.

Police are now investigating the accident. Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 240.773.6620.

Car stolen on Wisconsin Ave., theft at Apple Store, assault on Old Gtown Rd. + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on October 8, according to crime data:

Assault. 8600 block Old Georgetown Road.

Theft. 7900 block Woodmont Avenue.

Stolen car. 7300 block Wisconsin Avenue at 3:07 PM.

Theft. 8000 block Norfolk Avenue.

Theft. Apple Store (Bethesda Row).

Vehicle burglary. 4900 block Bethesda Avenue.

Theft. 4400 block Montgomery Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. Whole Foods Market River Road.

Disorderly conduct. 4800 block Sangamore Road at 7:38 AM.

Burglary. Chevy Chase Circle (Chevy Chase Village).

Theft from vehicle. 4900 block Strathmore Avenue.

Theft. 10400 block Old Georgetown Road.

Arson/liquor arrest. Walter Johnson High School at 3:31 PM.

Taylor Gourmet teams up with Mandu to celebrate a year of cheesesteaks (Photo)

Hard to believe it's been a year already since Taylor Gourmet introduced cheesesteaks to its hoagie lineup. Even harder to believe is the special, limited-time-only sandwich they've invented to celebrate the anniversary.

Taylor Gourmet collaborated with Danny Lee of DC's Mandu restaurant to create the Mandu Cheesesteak, available this month only. Philadelphia meets Seoul as Bulgogi-marinated ribeye, butter-grilled kimchi, aged cheddar cheese, toasted sesame and scallions are piled high on your choice of bread.

Stop by today to try it out.

Taylor Gourmet

7280 Woodmont Avenue

(301) 951-9001

Photo courtesy Taylor Gourmet

Bethesda construction update: Pallas luxury apartments (Photos)

The finishing touches are still being put on the Pallas luxury apartments and condominiums at Federal Realty's Pike & Rose development in North Bethesda. They're open and leasing now, though.

Here's an interesting piece of trivia about the building - it plays to the arts and music themes found throughout Pike & Rose by offering musicians who live in the building soundproof practice rooms. The architecture of this building is by far the standout of Phase 1, compared to the PerSei apartments. It should be pretty impressive when fully lit up at night at completion.

Drug busts on Whittier Blvd., Westbard Ave. + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on October 7, according to crime data:

Drug arrest. 7100 block Whittier Boulevard at 7:53 AM.

Drug arrest. 5300 block Westbard Avenue at 11:32 PM.

Theft. 7100 block Democracy Boulevard.

Theft. 11300 block Rockville Pike.

Theft. 5100 block Nicholson Lane (Pike District).