CAROLINE FREELAND PARK OPTIONS, DEBATE REFLECT PARK'S BRIDGE BETWEEN CITY AND SUBURBS (PHOTOS)

The Montgomery County Department of Parks has released 3 potential concepts for the renovation of Caroline Freeland Park on Arlington Road at Elm Street. One would only be surprised if they did not generate community discussion and disagreement. Part of that is inherent in the park's location.

Caroline Freeland Park sits at the edge of what is arguably the most successful area of urban redevelopment in Bethesda, and possibly America: Federal Realty's Bethesda Row. But it also backs up to a quiet, residential neighborhood. Can a park serve the needs of both audiences? And, is it even that simple, given that children from both Edgemoor and the downtown both utilize the park?

The general reaction at the March 12 meeting reflected these seemingly disparate goals. Consideration that "this park is adjacent to people’s homes," led some to suggest that the playground portion of the design be moved further into the park, to provide a buffer. At the same time, with the urban population of downtown Bethesda growing rapidly in the coming years, will these designs be adequate for the sheer number of downtown children who may want to use it?

Click on photos to enlarge for detail:

OPTION A

Some felt Option A's strengths were its open nature and flexibility that would allow for creative use by a variety of age groups. Open space and seating received some positive feedback, with moveable seats thought to be better than picnic benches. One residential neighbor felt the playground in Option A was too large, and would generate more noise than a smaller one.

OPTION B

Water features, and various fountains in particular, are nearly ubiquitous in town center designs these days. But some are not so enamored of them. Concerns about misuse of the water feature in Option B, its proximity to busy Arlington Road, and even mosquitos, were expressed by some. The larger lawn area, path designs, and reduction of pavement were seen as strengths in Option B. It was suggested that the large green area may need more trees for shade.

Safety issues regarding the use of boulders, and the potential for children using the grass area close to Arlington Road to chase balls into the street, were among the downsides.

OPTION C

The location of the park seating in Option C was thought by some to be more ideal, and further from the noise and activity just beyond the park borders. Of course, the park is not that big to begin with, so it's an unlikely place for one to seek a national forest/Grand Canyon-type nature experience.

DUNKIN' DONUTS MAY OPEN FRIDAY ON CORDELL AVE. IN BETHESDA (PHOTO)

The sign was lit last night at the new Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin Robbins on Cordell Avenue. I've received word that the store hopes to open Friday, if all goes according to plan. It is located in the Norfolk-Cordell II building, around the corner from Smashburger.

PIKE AND ROSE NORTH BETHESDA CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

The massive construction operation continues at Mid-Pike Plaza on Rockville Pike, in the rapidly-developing White Flint area. As I reported yesterday, the main shopping center building at Mid-Pike Plaza is officially closed to the public now, with only construction personnel and vehicle being allowed to physically access the property at this point. A separate retail center on the property, with a Starbucks, remains accessible to the public.

What you're seeing here are primarily two luxury apartment buildings (PerSei, delivering this year; and Pallas, delivering in 2015), an office building (11800 Grand Park Avenue), as well as the related retail, iPic Theater and parking facilities. I'm still struck by how similar Grand Park Avenue (looks from Old Georgetown Road) to an early construction photo I have from Rockville Town Square. I think the reason for this, is that - temporarily - the scene in the distance is very similar. You have the canyon created by the buildings on either side of the street. But in the distance, flat ground, much like what is north of Rockville Town Square.

The outcome will be radically different at Pike and Rose, however. That is for one key reason: Federal Realty owns the land beyond these buildings, unlike the situation at Rockville Town Square. Whereas town center Phase II has stalled out in Rockville, the town center at Pike and Rose will be larger in scale, by the end of all phases of construction.

PerSei luxury apartments,
now leasing

PerSei marketing banner
with Pike and Rose branding

A variety of brick colors

Floor-to-ceiling windows
in these units

Streetlamps installed

Old Georgetown Road will
be reconfigured to have
a traditional intersection,
instead of the existing curve

One of the tower cranes
on-site

Plenty of sun on this side of
the building

11800 Grand Park Avenue (center) and
Pallas (left of center)

11800 Grand Park Avenue

Interesting stone detail

BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on March 21, according to crime data:

Theft. Bethesda Metro Center.

Drug arrest. Pearl Street at Sleaford Road.

Theft. 7100 block Wisconsin Avenue (near Miller Avenue).

Theft. 6300 block Greentree Road (Bradley Hills area).

Theft. 10100 block Grosvenor Place.

Drug arrest. 10400 block Old Georgetown Road (near Georgetown Square shopping center).

TACO BELL BREAKFAST PHONE UNBOXING (VIDEO)

Taco Bell sent me a special package: a Taco Bell Breakfast Phone! As you've probably heard, Taco Bell is launching breakfast nationwide this Thursday, March 27. Let's open the package, and see what the Breakfast Phone is all about.

Apparently, Taco Bell will be sending text messages and voicemails with "secret missions" to carry out, related to the Taco Bell Breakfast theme. What other surprises does the phone have in store between now and Thursday?

Stay tuned, because you know as much as I do.

SKATE OR DIE! GIANT SKATEBOARD CATCHES AIR ON BETHESDA BUILDING (PHOTOS)

A giant skateboard appeared this weekend in downtown Bethesda, suspended in mid-flight by Veterans Park, installed above the storefront of Bethesda Scooters and Boards. The shop is technically at 4825 Fairmont Avenue, for USPS and GPS purposes. But in reality, it is accessed from Norfolk or Woodmont Avenues, in the building facing Veterans Park near BGR and Jetties.

The giant trucks caught in perpetual mid-air spin also caught a lot of attention from passersby. Bethesda Scooters and Boards moved to this permanent location after starting a pop-up shop in the recently-demolished retail center that held Foong Lin.

AUTO BREAK-INS IN GROSVENOR/STRATHMORE/CEDARWOOD AREA OF BETHESDA - CRIME UPDATE

An alarming number of crimes took place Thursday in the general vicinity of Grosvenor, Strathmore and the Cedarwood area off Tuckerman Lane. 5 vehicles were broken into, and an arrest on narcotics offenses was made on Luxberry Court, in that same vicinity. It is unknown if that arrest is related to the nearby vehicle burglaries.

If you live in that area, make sure your vehicle is locked, and that all valuables have been removed from the cabin. Check vehicles you haven't used since last Thursday for signs of burglary, or for missing property. And report any suspicious activity or vehicles to the Montgomery County Police.

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on March 20, according to crime data:

Theft. 6900 block Arlington Road.

Drug arrest. 5200 block Pooks Hill Road.

Vehicle burglary. 5300 block King Charles Way (Grosvenor area).

Vehicle burglary. 5300 block King Charles Way (Grosvenor area).

Vehicle burglary. 5900 block Barbados Place (off Tuckerman Lane).

Vehicle burglary. 5900 block Barbados Place (off Tuckerman Lane).

Vehicle burglary. 10900 block Brewer House Road (off Tuckerman Lane).

Drug arrest. XX block Luxberry Court (off Tuckerman Lane).

7770 NORFOLK AVENUE BETHESDA LUXURY APARTMENTS CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

Excavation and shoring continue at the future site of the 17-story JBG luxury apartment tower, currently branded as 7770 Norfolk. JBG has a second project on the books for a large site between Wisconsin and Woodmont Avenues. Here's a look at the latest progress at 7770 Norfolk:

MID-PIKE PLAZA MAIN BUILDING NOW WALLED OFF IN WHITE FLINT (PHOTOS)

The Dark Side of White Flint, Part 25

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.

The end is nigh for the venerable strip mall structure at Mid-Pike Plaza, which is currently being transformed from a suburban shopping center into a small-scale urban city. Toys R Us had moved within the center from its legendary spot on the south end; in January, it closed altogether. Now the remaining businesses in the structure are gone, and no public access is allowed - only construction vehicles.

A separate, free-standing retail structure with Starbucks remains accessible on the property.

Here for history, and posterity, are some of the final moments, images and memories of this classic Montgomery County shopping center. Mid-Pike Plaza was born decades ago, when it and Montrose Crossing were prime real estate along the future route of the DC Outer Beltway. Later, the Outer Beltway (a.k.a. I-370/Intercounty Connector) route was moved north, and the interstate's right-of-way was designated as the future Rockville Freeway.

Property owned by the Maryland State Highway Administration that was set aside for an off-ramp from the Rockville Freeway onto southbound Rockville Pike (MD 355) remains visible on records and blueprints for the new development that is replacing Mid-Pike Plaza. Of course, the county failed to build the Rockville Freeway, as well. The Montrose Parkway was built using some of the Rockville Freeway's right-of-way, but does not have the more-effective cloverleaf interchange needed to provide the maximum traffic congestion relief.

E.J. Korvette was a tenant from the early days, a department store chain that rose to prominence along with the American suburbs, as cities declined. Korvette's was the Walmart of its time, undercutting prices of its traditional retail competitors. There is a reference to Korvette's on many old documents for Mid-Pike Plaza, as well. This was before my time, but it makes me wonder if the whole site originated as a Korvette's? And, what year did Korvette's close? Is it possible I was just too young to remember it? If you know the answers, please leave a comment below!

For now, we prepare to say farewell to a classic shopping center on the busiest commercial strip in the state of Maryland. Though it falls at the hands of urbanization, it will not be forgotten.

I'll conclude with the words of Bill Shakespeare:

“But let it be. Horatio, I am dead;  

  Thou livest; report me and my cause aright

  To the unsatisfied.”

THEFTS AT BCC HS, WHITMAN HS; ASSAULT ON EW HWY - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes committed across Bethesda on March 19, according to crime data:

Theft. 4800 block Bethesda Avenue.

Theft. BCC High School.

Theft. 4300 block East-West Highway.

Assault. 4200 block East-West Highway.

Vehicle burglary. 5600 block Ogden Road (Springfield neighborhood).

Theft. Walt Whitman High School.

Theft. 11400 block Rockville Pike (White Flint).

Theft. 7100 block Westlake Terrace.

Drug arrest. 5900 block Montrose Parkway (White Flint).

HEALTHY CHOICE TOP CHEF CRUSTLESS CHICKEN POT PIE REVIEW (VIDEO)

Top Chef? A TV dinner with that branding sets the bar pretty high, doesn't it? Healthy Choice's Top Chef-inspired Crustless Chicken Pot Pie brings great expectations. This is going to be a gourmet, deconstructed version of an American classic, chicken pot pie.

Or is it?

Watch my review, and find out. Crustless Chicken Pot Pie features sliced chicken breast, carrots, peas, corn and dumplings (standing in for usually-rich pot pie crust), in a cream sauce.

It comes in the Cafe Steamers format. Which means you cook the whole thing first, and then pour the ingredients into the sauce, that steams below in its own dish.

This dinner has a surprisingly-high number of calories for a diet frozen entree.

TIA QUETA UPDATES ROOFTOP DECK, MAY OPEN IT TODAY IN BETHESDA

If the weather cooperates, we could have dueling rooftop restaurants in the Woodmont Triangle area of downtown Bethesda this weekend. Tía Queta, a longtime Mexican restaurant on Del Ray Avenue, has revamped its rooftop patio. Now the outdoor space has a new bar, and new flatscreen TVs.

This is the latest upgrade at Tía Queta, which recently got an exterior makeover, as well. The restaurant is already gaining a following among residents of the new luxury apartment tower next door, the Gallery Bethesda.

Tía Queta's timing is perfect, as Woodmont Triangle neighbor Roof officially opened its rooftop dining space on Thursday. It, too, has flatscreen TVs on the roof. With highs of 68 today, and 53 tomorrow, why not swing by both and check them out this weekend?

More snow on the way next week!

Tía Queta, 4839 Del Ray Avenue

301-654-4443

Saturday 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Sunday 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM

ROOFTOP RESTAURANT OPENS AT ROOF BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Last evening was the first official night of Alan Pohoryles' long-awaited rooftop, the architectural centerpiece that gives new Bethesda restaurant Roof its name. The weather isn't as pleasant as it will be, but last night's temperatures felt downright warm compared to a few days ago.

Diners didn't have to miss the NCAA tournament. March Madness continued as scheduled on large flatscreens outside on the roof.

Roof is the only full-scale rooftop restaurant and bar in Bethesda. The Doubletree Bethesda hotel has food, cigar and adult beverage events on its rooftop, and Mexican restaurant Tía Queta has a rooftop patio on Del Ray Avenue. So this will be quite the novelty this spring, summer and fall. One other interesting issue will be neighbors' response to the noise. I reported yesterday that some residents of Triangle Towers have already complained, before the rooftop had even opened to the general public. This type of complaint is not unique to Roof; balancing nightlife with residential neighbors is one of the big challenges ahead, as the county considers expanding bar hours, and exempting venues from some current noise restrictions.

Rooftops like this are needed, to move ahead in one category of dining and nightlife where Bethesda has previously trailed Clarendon and the District.

The first official rooftop
diners enjoy the view
of the
Woodmont Triangle
district from Roof

WINE TASTING TONIGHT AT BRADLEY FOOD AND BEVERAGE IN BETHESDA

Melanie Gowen of Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyards, the reigning champion for 2 years in a row as Washington Post Express' top vineyard, will be at Bradley Food and Beverage tonight from 4:00-7:00 PM, for a wine tasting.

SMV grows 8 varieties of grapes for wine at its northern Montgomery County vineyard: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Viognier. They were established in 2006.

Among SMV's top award winners are their 2011 Comus, and 2010 EVOE.

Bradley Food and Beverage

Bradley Shopping Center

6904 Arlington Road

301-654-6966

NEW AIR RIGHTS BUILDING ENTRANCE UNVEILED IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

You may have noticed the front entrance of the Air Rights Center building all boarded up in recent months, along Wisconsin Avenue. Now that particular makeover is complete, and you can see the results. Of course, the complex is now officially called, "Bethesda Crossing," but I doubt I'm the only one having a hard time adjusting to the new name.

The redesign is just one part of a massive overhaul of the entire complex by its new owners, which includes new LED lighting on the facades.

SNEAK PREVIEW: BAINBRIDGE LUXURY APARTMENT PROJECT AT 7340 WISCONSIN AVE. IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Building to Feature LED

Art Installation by

Renowned Artist,

Nearby Bar Owner

Concerned Residents

May Complain

Developer Bainbridge is preparing to file its site plan for a 143' tall luxury apartment tower at 7340 Wisconsin Avenue, in downtown Bethesda. The 255-unit building will be near the Bethesda Hyatt hotel and future Purple Line station, and is literally on top of the Bethesda Metro station. As such, Bainbridge attorney Bob Dalrymple predicted, future tenants will be more likely to use Metro than commute by car.

Dalrymple - joined by several architects and a Bainbridge representative - hosted a public meeting on the development Tuesday evening at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Services Center. He said Bainbridge expects to file the site plan by the end of this month, and believes the plan will reach the Montgomery County Planning Board for approval in July.

Construction would begin next year, and delivery and occupancy are expected by the end of 2016. The site was formerly an Exxon service station, and has been vacant for some time.

15,000 square feet of the building will be dedicated to other uses, such as retail. But Bainbridge is amending their initial plan to allow greater flexibility in use for that non-residential component. Bainbridge is not ruling out additional density in the overall project, should master plan updates allow it.

The building will have a 4-level, underground parking garage, with access off of Montgomery Lane. 

Some details on the architecture and design are now known. The south side of the building will have a courtyard. A green roof will be among the environmental features utilized to achieve a LEED Silver rating. However, a portion of the roof will be retained for unspecified resident amenities.

Those residents will need to be well off; rents will be at the "higher end of the market." The units will consist of efficiencies, 1-bedrooms and 3-bedrooms.

Public art is expected to be a major element of the design. Some will be in a public use area on Hampden Lane.

The major art piece will be an LED installation called "Point Field," by renowned artist J. Meejin Yoon of Boston. Well-known pieces she has created include "White Noise, White Light" from the 2004 Athens Olympics, and "3 Degrees of Felt" at the Guggenheim. Architecture Record Design Vanguard, and the Rome Prize, are among her prestigious awards.

Artist rendering of
LED art installation,
"Point Field"

Public comment at Tuesday's meeting was interesting. A union representative from the Metropolitan Regional Carpenters asked about wages for construction workers, stating that wages for workers on other Bethesda projects have been substandard. He was rebuffed by attorneys, who said that political discussion was inappropriate for this particular forum.

A representative of Tommy Joe's, a popular restaurant and nightspot located behind the proposed building, was concerned about potential noise complaints from new neighbors. Tommy Joe's sister business, Roof, has already had 20 complaints before the rooftop portion has even opened, he said. Those complaints came from residents of Triangle Towers on Cordell Avenue. 

What level of noise is tolerable at night is a debate expected to only get hotter in the coming year, as the county council seeks to expand late-night bar hours, and expand noise exceptions near urban residences.

A Bainbridge architect said the firm would conduct acoustical testing, to see if conflicts with Tommy Joe's operations could be avoided.

Click on photos to enlarge for greater detail:

Another view of LED
art installation,
"Point Field"

How "Point Field" would
appear lit at night

Montgomery Lane, and
Hampden Lane run along
either side of the site

A potential ground floor
configuration

Overhead view of some
landscaping and art features

How the building will look
if you are driving up
Hampden Lane towards
Wisconsin Avenue

Potential art pieces for
Hampden Lane
public use space

Facade options include
terra cotta (middle image),
similar to the
City Center DC project

All photos by Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row

Renderings within photos are

courtesy of Bainbridge and the

respective architects;

All rights reserved.