7126 Wisconsin high-rise plan revised to accommodate neighbor The Seasons in Bethesda

Developer Foulger-Pratt has revised the design of its planned high-rise at 7126 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda, in response to concerns from next-door neighbor The Seasons. The wing of the building that is to be adjacent to The Seasons, which is also a high-rise apartment building, will now be 10' back from the property line on the second-through-sixth floors. A corresponding change has been made to the same wing on the Miller Avenue side of the building. 

Bethesda Avenue design "before"

Bethesda Avenue design "after"

Foulger-Pratt's attorney, Heather Dlhopolsky, writes in a letter to the Montgomery County Planning Department that it is "the Applicant's understanding that the representatives of The Seasons are now supportive of the project and its accompanying revisions." The changes have reduced the total gross floor area of the project, and will therefore reduce the amount of the required Park Impact Payment to Montgomery County. With windows now facing west on the affected lower floors, the new design is also more pedestrian-friendly under the "eyes on the street" theory.

Miller Avenue "before"

Miller Avenue "after"

7126 Wisconsin Avenue incorporates several lots, including the current or former homes of Vace Italian Delicatessen, Starbucks, Lance's Beer & Wine, Carroll Community Bank and Capital One Bank. When completed, it will hold up to 335 residential units, up to 9000-square-feet of retail space, and underground parking. The project revisions will be reviewed by the Bethesda Design Advisory Panel today, and - tentatively - by the Montgomery County Planning Board at its March 7, 2024 meeting.

Renderings courtesy SK+I Architecture/Architect: Andy Czajkowski

Suspects sought in assault and theft at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police are looking for three suspects in a February 5, 2024 assault and shoplifting incident at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The three entered Zara and grabbed merchandise, police say. On their way out of the fashion boutique at 12:22 PM, they allegedly assaulted a store employee. This is the second assault reported at the mall this year.

Police describe the suspects as a Black male around 40 years of age, a Black male aged 20-25, and a Black female aged 20-25. If you can identify any of the suspects, or have any information related to this incident, you are asked to call police at the anonymous Crime Solvers tipline at 1-866-411-8477, or the non-emergency number at 301-279-8000.

Dig opening "next week" in Bethesda

The highly-anticipated opening of Dig at 4733 Elm Street in Bethesda will be happening "next week," the New York-based company posted on social media yesterday. This will be the "seasonal comfort food" chain's 34th location nationwide, according to the post. A succession of fallen dining tenants have lived short business lives at this space, despite its prime corner location next to Bethesda Row. There's hope that Dig, with the backing of Shake Shack founder Danny Meyer, will have the money and buzz factor to draw the crowds here. 

Bethesda Boards crowdfunding The Alley pub

The owner of Bethesda Boards is reaching out to the community for financial support to help fully realize the vision for The Alley, a pub, live music venue and event space at the skateboard shop, located at 7900 Woodmont Avenue. Raising $35,000 would facilitate construction of two ADA-compliant restrooms, and electrical and plumbing upgrades, which are all necessary to receive approval from Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services inspectors. The GoFundMe account has brought in $920 as of this writing. Owner Kaare Wieneke says the project "has proven to be more challenging and costly than initially expected. We find ourselves at a pivotal moment, requiring additional support to bring this vision fully to life."

Super-bright lights installed at Kenwood Station in Bethesda

A spotlight is being shone on the parking lot at the Kenwood Station shopping center in Bethesda - literally. Ultra-bright light towers have just been installed around the lot of the shopping center, which is anchored by the popular Whole Foods Market grocery store. Photos can't do the intensity level of the lights justice, which may shine into windows of the adjacent homes in Kenwood. 

Like many retail properties, Kenwood Station is responding to the increase in crime in Montgomery County, seeking to improve safety and security. While the shopping center is not known as a crime hot spot, police did fatally shoot a burglar behind the grocery store thirty years ago, in April of 1994. At the time, the store was a Fresh Fields supermarket.

Assault at Potomac restaurant draws police response

Montgomery County police officers were summoned to a restaurant in the Potomac Village area this past Thursday night, February 15, 2024, after an individual reported having been the victim of a 2nd-degree assault there. The assault was reported at a restaurant in the 9900 block of Falls Road at 8:07 PM Thursday.

Pinnacle bank branch leases ground floor space at The Wilson in Bethesda

Pinnacle, a financial services and banking firm, has leased a ground floor retail space at 7270 Wisconsin Avenue in The Wilson office tower.  As you can see, furniture, wall art, and even some potted plants have already been loaded into the branch office. Pinnacle has two other locations in the region, in Tysons and Columbia. Given the business focus of the office tenants upstairs, it probably makes sense to have a bank in the ground floor of the tower.

Assault reported at Pyle Middle School in Bethesda

Montgomery County police were dispatched to Thomas W. Pyle Middle School Wednesday morning, February 14, 2024, after a 2nd-degree assault was reported there. The assault was reported at 8:07 AM Wednesday.

Westwood Shopping Center fenced off in Bethesda (Photos)

The Westwood Shopping Center on Westbard Avenue in Bethesda has been fenced off. As a result, the remaining vehicle entrance to the property from Westbard now only provides access to the Kenwood Place condominium residences and professional offices. The 1959 strip mall and surface parking will be demolished to make way for a new apartment building with ground-floor retail and restaurant space, a town square, a new street and an EYA townhome development. Anchor tenant Giant has relocated to the Phase 1 building of that Westbard Square development, directly adjacent to the old shopping center.

Update on Rowan piercing studio, opening soon in Bethesda (Photos)

The sign is up, and the window coverings are down, at Rowan. A piercing studio where all procedures are safely conducted by licensed nurses, Rowan is located at 4919 Elm Street in the Shoppes of Bethesda. Everything looks ready to go inside, but a sign on the door and a message on the website state that they are not open yet. Rowan will open a second Maryland location soon in Annapolis, as well.

Tobacco Hub opens in downtown Bethesda

The great smoke shop swap has taken place at 7814 Old Georgetown Road. Gone is Funky Piece. In its place is Tobacco Hub, now celebrating its grand opening. The shop advertises cigars, vaping, kratom and CBD products as its specialties. Look for Tobacco Hub between Aden Pizzeria and Banana Leaves Asian Cafe.

Assault at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police were called to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda late Sunday afternoon, February 11, 2024, after someone reported being the victim of a 2nd-degree assault there. At least one individual was accused of shoplifting in the same incident. The assault was reported at 5:21 PM Sunday. Violent crime has been dropping at the mall over the last year. 12 assaults were reported at the popular retail center in 2022, 5 were reported in 2023, and Sunday's is the first reported in 2024.

Brooks Photographers is the picture of Bethesda history

Brooks Photographers was not only a significant member of the Bethesda business community for decades, but also produced a large number of photographic images that have helped preserve the town's history. It created postcard images for local businesses among its many services, so it's fitting that a postcard for Brooks Photographers itself has surfaced on eBay. Brooks Photographers was located at 7349 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda, which is home to 7 Days Spa today. It later had a photo studio in the Westwood Center II mini-mall at 5110 Ridgefield Road.

7349 Wisconsin Avenue today

Assault reported at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at the campus of Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda early Tuesday morning, February 13, 2024. The assault was reported at the school, located at 7100 Whittier Boulevard, at 12:00 AM.

7-Eleven cleared out at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

7-Eleven closed in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda at the end of last month, as I reported January 30. Inventory was mostly cleaned off of shelves by February 7, but a lot of equipment and displays remained inside the darkened space. Now it has been cleared out and sealed off, in addition to the retractable metal barrier that could still be seen through last week. It's unclear why this location closed, as many have noted it was well-patronized during its short run at the mall, but the convenience store chain did close 184 stores nationwide last year.

February 7, 2024

February 7

February 7

Now sealed off

CityDance construction to begin at Strathmore Square in Bethesda

Construction is set to begin soon on the CityDance Productions classroom and performance space at the Strathmore Square development, located at the Grosvenor Metro station in North Bethesda. The 5,200-square-foot space is the latest addition to the dance non-profit's locations in the region, joining those at the nearby Music Center at Strathmore, Parklawn Drive in Rockville, and the CityDance Studios at 5207 Wisconsin Avenue NW in Washington, D.C. CityDance trains young dancers for professional careers in the field, with an emphasis on making education and performance opportunities accessible to diverse communities in the region. The first residential apartments are anticipated to open this year at the development, which is a partnership between FiveSquares Development, Strathmore, and local transit agency WMATA.

Rock Creek Trail closure ahead in Chevy Chase

A section of the Rock Creek Trail around the Purple Line light rail bridge will temporarily close on or about February 14, 2024. The closure is scheduled to last for about four weeks, and a detour will be in place (see map above). This is necessary to rehabilitate Rock Creek and the trail itself from alterations and damage caused by the construction. Work will take place in shifts from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and 5:00 PM to 3:00 AM, as necessary. Crews are working against time, as environmental restrictions will take effect once spring arrives.

Tatte Bakery & Cafe to open at Westbard Square in Bethesda

Tatte Bakery & Cafe will open its newest Washington, D.C.-area location at the new Westbard Square development at 5400 Westbard Avenue in Bethesda. The chain has signed a lease for a 4,055-square-foot space at the Regency Centers-owned property, the Washington Business Journal reports. Boston-based Tatte has an existing Bethesda location at The Wilson office tower at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue. Tatte will provide some competition for Starbucks at the development, 

The Jam coming soon to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

The Jam is opening soon at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, according to a wall over its future storefront. It promises an "arts and style experience," but is otherwise mum about what "The Jam" is. The website URL displayed on the sign is not yet connected to a functioning website, and there is no information about "The Jam" on the internet that I can find. When it does open and finally reveal all, look for The Jam on Level 2 of the mall, outside of Nordstrom.

Strong-arm rape reported at Bethesda apartment building

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm rape at an apartment building in the Woodmont Triangle area of Bethesda yesterday afternoon, February 11, 2024. The sexual assault was reported in an office-storage area of the building in the 4700 block of Cordell Avenue at 3:05 PM Sunday. Cordell Place is located on that block.