Bethesda condo burglar caught in the act

An alleged repeat offender is off the street for now, after breaking into the Crescent Plaza condominium building at 7111 Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda one too many times. The burglary suspect has allegedly pried a door open at the property more than once in the past, making off with everything from bicycles to mail. As such, a warrant had been sworn out for his arrest. 

Montgomery County police were finally able to serve that warrant in person last Thursday night, when the suspect who can't quit Crescent Plaza made his latest visit, a resident reports. According to the management of Crescent Plaza, the suspect is being held without bond, having allegedly also burglarized the nearby Flats at Bethesda Avenue and the Solaire Bethesda in the recent past. Now about that door...you're only as strong as your weakest link!

Power outage darkens multiple high-rises in Bethesda (Photos)

Crescent Plaza blacked out

Thousands of downtown Bethesda residents lost power and air conditioning around 8:44 PM tonight after a mysterious power outage darkened multiple high-rises near the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Miller Lane. Pepco has been on-scene for a couple of hours now trying to restore power to several properties, including the Solaire Bethesda apartments, the Crescent Plaza condos, and some nearby garden apartments. True Food Kitchen, located in the ground floor of the Solaire, was forced to close early tonight due to the power outage. 

Pepco workers in front of
True Food Kitchen, which was
among those without power tonight

The Pepco website shows power has now been restored to all downtown Bethesda customers affected.

Garden apartments off Woodmont Avenue

True Food Kitchen had to close
early due to the power outage

Pepco employee shines his flashlight
near a manhole that men would soon
descend into to fix the problem

Solaire Bethesda in the dark

Bethesda construction update: Solaire Bethesda luxury apartments (Photos)

Check out how the Solaire Bethesda is fitting in with close neighbor Crescent Plaza like a chameleon. The color of some of the facades that face that building are now a shade closer to that of Crescent Plaza since my last update.

Considering that the Solaire's shape and proximity give the sense that the new building is "eating" the existing one, this a thoughtful touch to at least create a harmonious relationship between the two. I think they've done a nice job.

With 139 apartments and True Food Kitchen as its ground floor retail space anchor, the Solaire Bethesda is scheduled for delivery this fall. The developer is Washington Property Company.

Nighttime noise driving Bethesda condo residents crazy (Photos)

Residents of the Crescent Plaza condominiums in downtown Bethesda have been between the hammer and the anvil over the last week. Not only is the Solaire Bethesda being constructed adjacent to their building on Wisconsin Avenue, but now nighttime road work has begun without any warning at the intersection of Wisconsin and Leland Street.

I had noticed this Sunday night, when the crew pictured above was working in the northbound lanes of Wisconsin at Leland. I've since heard from residents in Crescent Plaza that they were never notified of this nighttime work, which has run some nights between 10:00 PM to after 4:00 AM.

That led me to get in touch with Steve Martin, who handles noise issues for the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection. Martin confirmed that the mystery road crew had not filed for a nighttime noise waiver with the county. In fact, it was unclear just who these folks were.

Further investigation by Martin determined that the contractors are doing unspecified work for Pepco. He also provided a work schedule for the project, which is expected to be completed next week.

Pepco crew working
late last night on
Wisconsin Avenue

Pepco's crew was back again last night, this time in a new spot on Wisconsin directly in front of the Solaire Bethesda site (formerly Eastham's Exxon for those following from out-of-state). They were supposed to do some drilling and rebar work, which undoubtedly thrilled Crescent Plaza residents. They'll be back tonight to pour concrete, weather permitting. Then they'll take Friday and Saturday nights off - but return Sunday night. Finally, they will patch the road (which has been resurfaced twice at taxpayer expense in the last year) next week.

The problem for residents in this case, is that our DEP doesn't have authority over the Maryland State Highway Administration, according to Martin - although he said he is working to improve communication between the agencies regarding nighttime work. He also hopes to confirm Pepco's possession of an SHA Lane Closure Permit by today.

"While we don’t have the authority to stop this nighttime work," Martin said, "prior notification to nearby residences goes a long way towards minimizing complaints."

Memorial Day display in downtown Bethesda (Photos)

The construction site for the future Solaire Bethesda made a patriotic statement for Memorial Day weekend, flying the Stars and Stripes from the tower crane high above the Crescent Plaza condos. This is best known as the former site of the historic Eastham's Servicenter on Wisconsin Avenue at Woodmont Avenue.

SOLAIRE BETHESDA LUXURY APARTMENTS CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

Solaire Bethesda is still in the early stages of construction on the former site of Eastham's Servicenter, at 7100 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda. Eastham's has moved to the corner of Fairmont Avenue and Old Georgetown Road. Solaire is being developed by Washington Property Company, and has signed its first ground floor retail tenant, True Food Kitchen. The new building's close-by neighbor seen in these photos is Crescent Plaza.

7100 WISCONSIN AVENUE APARTMENT CONSTRUCTION MOVING FORWARD AT EASTHAM'S SITE IN BETHESDA (PHOTO)

After significant delays, Washington Property Company is now moving forward with its development at the Eastham's Exxon site, at 7100 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The legendary gas station stopped selling fuel over a year ago, and maintained an auto repair business on the site. A construction permit has now been applied for, and was officially received by the Montgomery County Department of Permitting on December 23.

The new luxury apartment building will contain over 100 units, and will be directly adjacent to the existing Crescent Plaza condominium building. Construction can begin as soon as the county issues the permit.

NEW IMAGES OF THE BUILDING THAT WILL EAT CRESCENT PLAZA IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Forecast for residents of Crescent Plaza's east and south-facing apartments: Cloudy, with a chance of brick wall.

The preliminary development plan for the former Eastham's Exxon station on Wisconsin Avenue will go before the Planning Board this Thursday, July 11.

A 145 unit luxury residential building is planned for the site.

Planning department staff has recommended approval with conditions.

Two items jump out from the list. First, given the building will be so close to Crescent Plaza, planners are insisting that any perimeter light fixtures be fitted with deflectors where they might shine on that neighboring building.

Second, the applicant must complete all improvements to Eastham Park before a final use and occupancy permit will be issued.

Renderings by: Design Collective, Inc., All rights reserved.

CRESCENT PLAZA RESIDENTS WAIT FOR POWER TO BE RESTORED TO BUILDING (PHOTOS)

Residents of Crescent Plaza, like hundreds of others in Bethesda, are waiting to have their electricity restored.

In the meantime, they are charging phones and laptops at two charging stations in the lobby.

According to signs in the lobby, residents should not use trash chutes until power is restored.

Pepco has said power could be restored to the building by midnight. But with crews now on scene, hopefully lights will be back on soon.