LATEST IMAGES OF FUTURE INTELLIGENCE CAMPUS IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

The most secure and hardest government target in Bethesda - along with Walter Reed and the NIH - is the future Intelligence Campus on Sangamore Road. Formerly known to locals as "The Mapping Agency," the Geospatial Intelligence Agency at this site has moved to Fort Belvoir in Virginia.

For a variety of reasons - many classified - the federal government chose to maintain the site, and expand it as a massive, 30-acre "intelligence campus," for the Defense Intelligence Agency and others.

The DIA has been working with nearby residents on a variety of concerns: traffic, noise, stormwater runoff, height and visual appearance of buildings, and a controversial parking garage.

This site will remain a primarily automobile-oriented workplace. There is excellent Ride On bus access literally at the front door. But the bus schedule and hours are limited, and the time factor will keep many in their cars.

It is surprising, given the massive personnel boost this site will generate in the coming years, that neither the county nor the federal government are even talking about an obvious transit solution: the still-intact Georgetown-Glen Echo streetcar right-of-way. The former streetcar line passes by the campus in between MacArthur Boulevard and the Clara Barton Parkway.

With the District planning a streetcar line between Union Station and Georgetown University, thereby making a direct link to the Glen Echo ROW, well... duh!

Doesn't it make a lot of sense to be working on that?

The streetcar could also serve the large and rapidly-growing Sibley Hospital campus, which is building an entirely new hospital, and has completed a large physicians office building.

The basic concept of the new Intelligence Campus design will be to turn the current sea of asphalt, and (post 9/11) fortress appearance, into a well-manicured campus with a natural, green setting.

Based on these images, I think they've done a very good job. What an improvement over the existing design.

Currently, a crane is looming over the site, and the sidewalk on Sangamore is closed to pedestrians. One structure is rising, but the overall transformation of the space between the buildings and street will occur much later in the project.

What goes on at this site?

Top secret. Ostensibly, it was a mapping and satellite imaging site years ago. Having said that, the facility once had its own railroad spur off of the Baltimore & Ohio Georgetown Branch Railroad (now the Capital Crescent Trail). Those must have been some heavy maps, right?

My favorite image among these is the one that shows the Potomac River flowing by in the background. What a spectacular view. You'd have to use a helicopter to get a view like that.

This project has been recommended for approval by planning board staff, and action is expected at today's meeting.

I have to commend the DIA, NCPC, and many other agencies and local residents who have worked on this. On paper, at least, it looks like the federal agencies have gone the extra mile to make this work.

Ultimately, I think most people realize what an important site this is in protecting the country, and are willing to be fairly understanding about the various impacts the site will have.

BETHESDA MARKET PLANNING TO OPEN NEXT WEEK AT SUMNER PLACE

Bethesda Market owner Vijay Mhera tells me their grand opening is now scheduled for late next week. The exact date will be announced as the opening approaches.

As you know, this all-new market is opening in the space that previously housed the original Bethesda Market until 2011, at the Shops at Sumner Place on Sangamore Road.

Mhera says the new market will offer craft beers, fine wine, freshly-prepared deli sandwiches, and will be using premium Boar's Head deli meats.  He adds that customers will also enjoy many tastings at the store, to help familiarize them with the high-quality product lines the market will carry.

There's a lot of excitement about the market opening among nearby residents, who have had to drive way out of the neighborhood to buy beer and wine for the last year.  It will also be a new lunch option for employees at the federal intelligence campus across the street.

Stay tuned for the exact opening date.

BETHESDA MARKET SOON TO REOPEN AT SHOPS AT SUMNER PLACE

The new Bethesda Market is getting pretty close to opening in the space that housed the old Bethesda Market, in the Shops at Sumner Place.

Remember my report on the liquor license application, which listed "Bethesda Market" as the name of the future beer, wine and deli market?  The new ownership confirms that they are indeed keeping the Bethesda Market name, which is well known in the community.

Why is this big news for residents of Sumner, Fort Sumner, and Glen Echo Heights?

Because they have gone for over a year without a beer and wine retailer in their neighborhood.  Many residents, most especially those living in the apartment complexes surrounding Sumner Place, will be able to take a short walk over to the market for beer and wine.

Another target audience is across the street: employees of the intelligence campus on Sangamore Road, whose numbers will only increase in the coming years.

Bethesda Market is also remembered as a host of many beer and wine tastings, another welcome option in the neighborhood.

Last night, a lighted Budweiser and St. Pauli Girl sign were installed on the storefront windows, above the window covering.

A third sign will interest the unemployed in Bethesda: one on the front that read, "Hiring!"

WEIGHT WATCHERS LEASES PRIME SPACE AT SHOPS AT SUMNER PLACE

Bad news for those of us hoping a great restaurant or new post office would open at the Shops at Sumner Place:

The prime space has just been leased by Weight Watchers.

Of course, that's good news for nearby residents hoping to lose weight.  But WW already has a location at the venerable Westwood Center II on Ridgefield Road, barely a mile away.

The space is located between Starbucks and Passion Fin at Sumner Place, on Sangamore Road.

This news came the same day as reports claiming Jessica Simpson must lose 30 pounds by late August, or Weight Watchers will void her $4 million dollar bonus.  That doesn't sound like a healthy message for people struggling with weight or eating disorders.

I would much rather have a new restaurant at Sumner Place.

PASSION FIN SIGN INSTALLED AND LIT

The grand opening of new sushi restaurant Passion Fin is near in Bethesda. Last night, the new external sign was lit.  The front door was propped open, but no one was going in or out when I passed by.

Passion Fin, located in The Shops at Sumner Place on Sangamore Road, currently has no internet presence (website, Facebook, etc.).  It would be an unorthodox approach to open without any marketing or announcement, to say the least.  Diners in the Bethesda area are not familiar with the owners' other restaurants outside of Baltimore.  So they will need to let us know what their concept and approach to sushi are at Passion Fin.  A "secret" opening would not really be a great idea under those circumstances.

Having said that, there is a lot of excitement in the neighborhood around Sumner Place about this opening.  From the appearance of things, it won't be too long now.

NEW MARKET OPENING IN FORMER BETHESDA MARKET SPACE AT SUMNER PLACE

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

A new market has signed a lease in the space formerly occupied by Bethesda Market, at the Shops at Sumner Place.

Patty Emory of shopping center owner W.C. & A.N. Miller says that the market will be very similar to the old one, but with "much improved inventory and service."

That is great news for all those who were disappointed when Bethesda Market abruptly closed its doors last year.

Even better news:  the new market will be offering beer and wine, extending the hope that nearby residents - and employees of the soon-to-expand intelligence campus across Sangamore Road - will once again have beer and wine tastings within walking distance.

The as-of-yet unnamed market's owner has "a proven track record and experience," says Emory.

Things are starting to turn around after a brief downturn at Sumner Place.  The future federal employees and residents will soon have a convenient beer and wine store, and a new sushi restaurant called Passion Fin three doors down.

The space in between Passion Fin and Starbucks remains vacant.  Let's hope an interesting restaurant leases that space, or an entertainment related retailer like GameStop.

PASSION FIN UPDATE

PROGRESS AT BETHESDA'S

NEWEST SUSHI BAR

Just a quick note on Passion Fin - the new sushi reataurant opening this year at the Shops at Sumner Place, on Sangamore Road in Bethesda.

As you recall, Passion Fin had been scheduled to open early this year, but the renovations of the former clothing boutique stalled out during the winter.  Week after week, month after month, the same window coverings, dumpster out front and exposed ceiling remained static.

But when I passed by on Tuesday night, although the windows remain covered (normal for any restaurant before it opens), the dumpster is now gone.

There is now some kind of white molding, around angular arched openings near the front of the restaurant.  It's dark in there, and you can only see what is visible at the top of the front windows above the coverings.

So I don't know if that is part of the final design, or simply a stage in the renovation.

In any case, the opening is highly anticipated.  My guess is we're talking about a June opening, if I was a betting man.  But who knows?  Maybe they're getting close to done behind the coverings, and we'll hear something sooner.

Stay tuned!

PASSION FIN

UPDATE

Renovations Still a Long Way

From Completion

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

This is an update to an update. I was at the Shops at Sumner Place on Friday, and walked over to the future location of highly-anticipated Asian bistro and sushi bar Passion Fin.

The windows at the top across the storefront are uncovered, and I can confirm that - at least as far as the ceiling and interior walls go - there is a long way to go. Ventilation systems and hoses are completely exposed where a ceiling should be. One permit is now posted, for a WSSC inspection. Understandably, the conversion of an apparel boutique to a restaurant would require new plumbing installation for kitchen and restroom water systems. Right inside the front doors, there is an L-shaped makeshift wall.

Out front, the same dumpster is there, and it is not even clear there is anything in it. It has been in the same spot for about 4 months.

All told, and in light of the initial promise of an "early 2012" opening, the project has clearly encountered one or more delays.

When it finally opens, expect Passion Fin to compete more with Yirasai Sushi and similar Japanese restaurants in the Palisades area, more than with Raku and Sushi-ko on the Red Line.

Ironically, Passion Fin, Yirasai and Sushi-ko are all on the route of Ride On Bus 23. So, if you're a rider of the venerable 23, for you there will be a Sushi Showdown in 2012.

For now, sushi fans, patience is a virtue.

PASSION FIN

SWIMMING SLOWLY

TOWARDS

GRAND OPENING

Renovation Continues at Future

Bethesda Asian Bistro and Sushi Bar

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

Passion Fin, an Asian Bistro and sushi bar expected to open early this year at the Shops at Sumner Place in West Bethesda, seems to be swimming upstream at the moment.

There is tremendous interest in the new Japanese entry. But the announced opening target of "early 2012" does not sound realistic at this point. A generous definition of early would possibly extend through the end of March.

Even the firm that announced the deal to bring Passion Fin to Sumner Place does not know what the restaurant's opening day target is now, according to a representative.

So we have to examine the clues for now. The same dumpster is positioned exactly the way it was several months ago in front of the restaurant. Window coverings are still in place. On a recent evening, one covering appeared to have peeled off. Through the window, I could see what looked like exposed ventilation systems, including a large round pipe. There did not appear to be finished walls or ceilings in place yet. But it was dark, so I can't say for sure.

Finally, no telltale Montgomery County permits or inspection documents hang in the windows, which you would see if an establishment was just about to open.

As they say, good things come to those who wait. The space obviously needs extensive renovation and reconfiguration, as it was formerly a woman's clothing boutique.

Stay tuned for further updates on this intriguing new dining option in West Bethesda.