Bethesda construction update: Dean & DeLuca/4749 Bethesda Ave. (Photos)

We can't see what's going on inside the future Dean & DeLuca space at 4749 Bethesda Avenue yet, but there's plenty of evidence of construction going on outside. The latest file on the building from The JBG Companies also indicates a change in use for the second floor. Previously, the upper part of the building was rumored to be a restaurant. Now it is listed as office space.

One new addition is this awning
along the west side of the building

In addition to whatever design is
decided on for an adjacent plaza
with neighbors Federal Realty, this
area next to the building is planned as
a narrow public space, as well

Here's the awning about 3 weeks
ago, to compare the work that's
been done since

RadioShack at Westfield Montgomery Mall to be one of the last in America

After RadioShack's franchise stores close, only 72 corporate-owned locations and 500 "authorized dealer" stores will remain. Bethesda is fortunate to have one of them. The only remaining RadioShack in Bethesda at Westfield Montgomery Mall is owned by RadioShack, and will continue to operate even after 1000 stores closed three days ago nationwide.

This comes as surprising news, as the Bethesda RadioShack has been displaying "Everything Must Go" signage for several months now. The store has claimed it was not closing, and that is now confirmed to be the case for the foreseeable future.

According to the list released by RadioShack on Thursday, the only other RadioShack to remain in the entire region will be at Francis Scott Key Mall in Frederick.

Pickpocket at doctor's office takes over $200, burglary on Mass. Ave. + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on June 1, according to crime data:

Burglary. Unforced entry. 6200 block Massachusetts Avenue at 3:44 PM.

Marijuana/hashish arrest. Unnamed block of River Road in 20817 zip code.

Burglary. Forced entry. 10500 block Westlake Drive.

DUI. Kentbury Drive.

Pickpocket - over $200. Doctor's office in 6400 block of Rockledge Drive at 5:47 PM.

Domestic violence assault. 11500 block Old Georgetown Road.

Watch nude man try to break into Bethesda home (Video)

A naked man attempted to enter a home in the 5100 block of Newport Avenue in Bethesda, just after midnight on May 17. After looking into windows and trying to open at least one door, the suspect ran off after he triggered a motion-detecting light. His trespassing was captured on the homeowner's Nest security camera, and is being shared by police who would like to speak to the apparel-challenged man.

Anyone who has information about the suspect is asked to call the 2nd District Investigative Section at 240-773-6710. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest in this case.

Resident of Wyngate neighborhood in Bethesda accused of sex offense (Photo)

Howard Earl Alpert

A resident of Adelaide Drive in Bethesda was arrested yesterday and charged with a fourth-degree sex offense, and sexual abuse of a teenage male at his home over the last two years. Howard Earl Alpert, 73, is accused of inappropriate sexual contact with the victim, who had been hired to do yard work at Alpert's home.

To complicate matters, Alpert is also a teacher at a charter school in the District. Police have not named the school, but are asking those concerned to contact Tomeika Bowden, Chief Communications Officer for the DC Public Charter School Board, at tbowden@dcpcsb.org.

Detectives are concerned that there may be additional victims, including at the school. Anyone who has information regarding inappropriate contact that Alpert may have had with juveniles is asked to call the Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5400.

Cookie Dough & Co., CoCo LaRue coming to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Another two additions are on the way at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Cookie Dough & Co. will serve...cookie dough. Pasteurized and with heat-treated flour to be safe, their menu items will include chocolate chip cookie dough and brownie batter S'mores. You can choose to have those and two dozen other choices served in a cup or cone.

CoCo LaRue will sell luxury hair extensions made with real human hair from around the world. They will also offer a selection of wigs and accessories. CoCo LaRue will open this month; no opening date has been announced yet for Cookie Dough & Co.

Bomb threat reported on Battery Lane, Pike District pickpocket strikes + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on May 31, according to crime data:

Bomb threat. Apartment/condo in 4800 block of Battery Lane.

Forgery/counterfeit: Credit cards. 7100 block Edgevale Street.

Theft from vehicle. 9200 block Bulls Run Parkway.

Pickpocket. Restaurant in 11500 block Rockville Pike.

Shoplifting. 1700 block E. Jefferson Street.

Theft from vehicle. 10900 block Deborah Drive.

Bethesda construction update: The Rugby (Photos)

Construction of The Rugby, the second mixed-use tower at Donohoe's Woodmont Central development in Bethesda's Woodmont Triangle, is about halfway to street level now. This future building will share the pedestrian plaza with the already-completed Gallery Bethesda, which is located at 4800 Auburn Avenue.

Sign installed at Pieology at Bethesda Row (Photos)

The sign is up at Pieology, the pizzeria opening soon at 4922 Elm Street. Construction of the interior continues, with a lot of the counter and kitchen equipment already in place.

Build-out now appears to be proceeding rapidly after the initial delay earlier this year. 100 Montaditos was the last tenant in this space at Bethesda Row.

Stolen bicycle on Tuckerman Lane, burglary at Walter Johnson HS + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on May 27-30, according to crime data:

May 30

Stolen bicycle. 5400 block Tuckerman Lane.

Stolen auto part. 10300 block Grosvenor Place.

Mental transport. 5300 block Burling Terrace.

May 29

Mental transport. 5400 block Kirkwood Drive (Springfield).

May 28

Mental transport. 5600 block Massachusetts Avenue.

Stolen auto part. 10000 block Gary Road.

Forgery/counterfeit: Credit cards. 3700 block Bradley Lane.

Forgery/counterfeit: Credit cards. 9700 block De Paul Drive.

Mental transport. 5200 block Pooks Hill Road.

DUI. 11900 block Falls Road.

Liquor furnished to minor. 9100 block Jones Mill Road at 12:26 AM.

May 27

Burglary. Walter Johnson High School at 6:44 PM.

Theft from vehicle. 8900 block Grant Street.

Identity theft. 4800 block Chevy Chase Drive.

Burglary/no forced entry. 10300 block Jacobsen Street.

Theft from vehicle. 8500 block Irvington Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 5700 Glenwood Road.

Theft from vehicle. 5000 block Malden Drive.

Theft from vehicle. 8700 block Garfield Street.

Repairs on Bethesda Lane (Photos)

Bethesda Lane at Bethesda Row may be a pedestrian-only street, but it's still a street. As such, it needs repairs, as seen outside of Redwood last night.

As heavy rains continue, can baggies save foundation of historic Bethesda building? (Photos)

UPDATE 1:50 PM: A stop work order has now been posted at the site, and a citation has been issued for working without a permit.

There is no evidence that Montgomery County, or the Historic Preservation Commission, have conducted a site visit to the Wilson Store, now the subject of controversy after the building's foundation was exposed to the elements. The required foundation permit is not displayed on the premises, as would be required to start that excavation work, and there is no "stop work" order posted - as there would have been, had an inspector found that work started. Only the permit request notice remains posted on the building, located at 7250 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda.

"Baggie" placed alongside
part of building foundation

While many heavy rains have passed through the area over the last couple of weeks, residents who have asked a court to halt the planned relocation of the building to Middleton Lane have expressed concern that stormwater runoff is damaging its foundation.

Remnants of the latest
downpour on Wednesday
on the surface adjacent to
the Wilson Store

Now large "baggies" have been placed along some parts of the exposed foundation. It's unclear how effective they are in actually keeping water out. Other gaps remain open to the elements. The last remaining 19th century building in downtown Bethesda, the Wilson Store appears to be a low priority for Montgomery County officials and the County Council.

Troubled Bethesda Metro escalator misses yet another repair deadline as WMATA fails to show result for surge (Photos)

The plaza-to-bus bays escalator at the Bethesda Metro station has missed yet another repair deadline. WMATA had promised the frequently-broken escalator would be back in service by May 24. Oops, today is June 1. Now Metro says it will be repaired by Sunday, June 4.

Right.

Give these crooks $15 billion
more? HELL, NO!

Commuters this week may chuckle or curse when reminded of bumbling Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld's March 22 comment on escalators at the busy Bethesda station:

"Today, our escalators are the most reliable they've been in six years and an example of the investments we are making to improve service for customers."

Now Wiedefeld is asking for $15 billion more, with no new financial oversight to ensure it isn't just flushed down the WMATA toilet like all the money we've given them up until now. Please.

The "surge," "SafeTrack," and rider-gouging fare hikes have all failed to show any results in safety, reliability, or customer service. They couldn't even restore automatic train operation, after years to work on it. Until there is an independent financial control board in place, Maryland's response to any request for new taxes or funding should be, "Hell, no!"