NEW PICS OF BAINBRIDGE BETHESDA LUXURY APARTMENTS' POSH LOBBY

The lobby at the Bainbridge Bethesda luxury apartment tower is looking more finished than a week-and-a-half ago, with additional furnishings and artworks in place. That art design on the floor under the yellow chairs is new, as are the paintings on the walls upstairs, and in the lower level on the right. A coffee table, and some reading material, have been added to the sofa set. Outside, upscale patio furniture has been placed on the pedestrian street/plaza. Click on the photos to enlarge for greater detail.

The coffee table, books and
decorative dish are new

Better view of the coffee table

Cover slipping off the
pedestrian plaza artwork

View of the pedestrian street
looking toward Fairmont Avenue;
check out the outdoor furniture

HOUSES DEMOLISHED AT LUXURY CONDO SITE IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

The first phase of demolition is underway at the future site of The Lauren ultra-luxury condos in downtown Bethesda. Homes along Montgomery Lane were demolished on Wednesday. All that was left were foundations, front walks, and staircases.

OH, NO, NOT AGAIN

You'll never guess, but pedestrians were blocked out of Fairmont Avenue again on Wednesday. The pedestrian detour around the closed sidewalk was blocked by a dumpster. I know, I know, "stop whining and move it aside yourself!" Or, as one commenter kindly told me on Monday, "STFU!" 

The sidewalk across the street remained closed, as usual. I just don't think anyone can take Montgomery County seriously on pedestrian safety at this point.

Nope, no wheelchairs getting past
here

GAP SIGNS ON AT PIKE & ROSE

The White Flint (Pike District?) area will again have a Gap store, as the ubiquitous clothing chain has joined the growing number of retail tenants at Pike & Rose. I'd heard about this more than a month ago, but Federal Realty is now publicly confirming the addition.

Gap is an interesting choice, as it definitely signals a broader target retail audience for Pike & Rose than the higher-end boutiques of Bethesda Row, another Federal Realty development. And, of course, it fills the current Gap vacuum in that market, with the closure of the White Flint location.

LOBSTER ME TO OPEN BETHESDA RESTAURANT

Las Vegas-based Lobster ME is expanding to Bethesda this fall. The purveyor of the "World's Best Lobster Rolls" will be the latest addition to the new dining choices at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Mark Setterington, VP of Operations at Lev Restaurant Group, confirms Lobster ME will be located at the mall's new dining terrace, which is currently under construction (above photo). Lobster ME is scheduled to open by November 1, he said.

Lobster ME offers the Maine and Connecticut-style lobster rolls familiar to residents who patronize Luke's Lobster, Freddy's or the Red Hook Lobster Truck, to name a few. They also offer a Cajun roll, which features chilled lobster meat in a spicy Cajun sauce. And the El Diablo roll, which has warm lobster in a spicy marinara-style sauce. Each roll is made-to-order, and features the meat of an entire lobster. But there is an XL size, if that's not enough.

The Lobsicle is a grilled or batter-fried lobster tail on a stick. Other lobster entrees include Lobster Mac and Cheese, Lobster and Chips, and Lobster Tacos. Landlubbers can enjoy a Hebrew National hot dog. Lobster ME's fries are beer battered, and seasoned with your choice of their custom spice blend, or Cajun spice. The Vegas locations have a nice list of cocktails, including Wicked Lemonade, a Lobster Mary, and a Blueberry Margarita. But you never know for sure what (if anything) will end up on the adult beverages list in Montgomery County, given the tight government control of alcohol here. In Vegas, they also have a breakfast menu, featuring Lobster and Waffles, and a Lobster ME English Muffin.

The menu sounds great, and I'm also waiting to try the Chowder Fries, which are sort of the New England equivalent of poutine, from the description. Sure, lobster rolls are plentiful in DC and downtown Bethesda. But this will provide a new lobster roll spot for mall patrons, and office workers in the nearby office parks at Rockledge (until the developers replace them all with luxury condos and townhouses - so much for "live where you work"). And some new, unique menu items not available elsewhere.

All-in-all, the new dilemma at the revamped Westfield Montgomery Mall is going to be where to dine before the movies at the ArcLight Cinemas, also opening this fall. It's a good problem to have.

BETHESDA ROW COLOSSAL SIDEWALK SALE JULY 18-20 (PHOTOS)

The annual summer Sidewalk Sale returns to Bethesda Row next weekend, July 18-20. Enjoy entertainment, dining specials and - of course - big savings on shopping around the Row all 3 days.

That includes not only fashion boutiques, but also housewares (Le Creuset), fitness (Equinox) and furnishings and decor (Urban Country), as well.

Participating merchants at Bethesda Row will include:

American Tap Room
Bonobos
Capital Teas
City Sports
Cork and Fork
Courage B
Equinox
Francesca's
Ginger
Haagen-Dazs
Icebreaker
J. McLaughlin
Jaleo Bethesda
Le Creuset Signature Store
Lou Lou
Lucy
LUNA
Make Meaning
Mamma Lucia
MyEyeDr
Pink Palm
Puree Juice Bar
Redwood
Sassanova
Secolari
sweetgreen
Urban Country
Wear It Well

ROOSTERS MENS GROOMING CENTER - WHAT ARE THE SERVICES AND PRICES? (PHOTOS)

The recent opening of Roosters Mens Grooming Center at Bethesda Row has many people asking just what exactly the shop has in store for the Bethesda man? And for that Bethesda man's wallet.

Here are some images of the "menu" of services at Roosters. The prices are certainly a tad higher than those of the classic Westwood Barber Shop on Westbard Avenue. But certainly within the range of many in the richest town in America. Are you ready to "take 10 years off in 10 minutes?"

 

Roosters Mens Grooming Center

7135 Arlington Road

BETHESDA ARTS CENTER - CAN AND SHOULD THIS PROJECT BE DONE?

The proposal for a new Bethesda Arts Center on the square block defined by Wisconsin, Fairmont, Woodmont, and Norfolk Avenues is certainly an intriguing one. A residential building would sit atop a black box theatre, dance studio, and artist spaces. Outside, would be a park-plaza gathering space. There are, however, quite a few issues that should be considered, before any major taxpayer-funded effort is made towards the project.

Most obvious is the challenge of assembling an entire square block of land from several landowners. Reportedly, Union Hardware and at least one other landowner are on board. But EagleBank and 7-Eleven are not, to this point. If taxpayer dollars are to be expended for a project led by a private developer, what amount of the land purchase will be made with public funds, and where will those funds come from? Do landowners have any incentive to take less than market value? And, given that at real market value, a square block near Bethesda Metro is literally worth a fortune, how could the county afford to pay said value?

Secondly, this project would have a tremendous impact on Fairmont Plaza, which directly faces the site across Fairmont Avenue. A handful of Fairmont Plaza residents I've spoken to (and I in no way am claiming they represent a majority opinion in Fairmont Plaza) tell me they've heard nothing about this project, and have been contacted by neither the private parties involved, nor the county. Such communication needs to happen sooner rather than later.

That brings me to a third point, because it directly affects Fairmont Plaza residents. Currently, the 7-Eleven store does three things. It is an amenity for nearby residents and workers. It activates that block of Fairmont Avenue 24 hours a day, with continuous foot traffic. And that relates to the third thing 7-Eleven does - it brings an element of safety to pedestrians and residents of Fairmont Plaza. While the EagleBank property is dead after business hours, there is activity around the clock at 7-Eleven. And police and fire vehicles often stop at, or by, the 7-Eleven. Should redevelopment of the site occur, based on the very general sketch provided, Fairmont Plaza could end up across from a wall, or an empty park late at night. Both of which would represent a drop in safety in that area.

Point number four is an extension of that. Namely, will the range of uses proposed for the arts center activate the affected streets at night? How late will this black box theatre operate? What is the market for it? What will be at street level all around the square block? We hear about vibrant streets, and activating streetscapes. But quite a few projects approved by the county are not providing that, and many so-called proponents of vibrant streets are not stopping those projects from being approved. We need to be consistent in design principles. Imagination Stage is a great venue, but it is often dead at night along that block. So a performance theatre alone may not achieve the goal of activating the streetscape. And a limited-hours park won't, either, after dark. At the same time, a loud gathering space would be far noisier than the current 7-Eleven. A recent boom in bank branches, and other projects with business-hours-only activity, has left some downtown residents disappointed. So, we need to consider the greater impacts of whatever is proposed for this site on nearby residents.

The sketch also shows a building on the current site of the 24-hour CVS across Wisconsin Avenue. If that is what planners imagine, could we be taking one of the few 24-hour hotspots in Montgomery County (with 7-Eleven, CVS and Tastee Diner) and turning it into a dead zone at night?

Speaking of theaters, there are several formal and informal theaters currently operating in Bethesda. Will the black box theatre compliment those, or compete with them for the same audience?

Given the nature of black box theaters, is the size and scope of such a massive public-private undertaking justified for such a spartan facility, which could in theory be located anywhere in the Woodmont Triangle? Is this a way for a developer to get a sweetheart price, for-profit project on a lucrative site, while providing - in relative terms - low-cost public amenities?

Should we wait to find out the fate of the Apex Building first? The demolition of the Apex Building to facilitate the Purple Line station would also destroy the Regal Cinemas, a vital revenue engine for nearby restaurants and businesses. One obvious impediment to a replacement cineplex is the significant square footage needed for such a facility. Could this square-block site be a potential location for a new cineplex? Such a cineplex would bring more private investment money into the proposed deal, while still retaining many of the proposed benefits of the arts center plan. There's no reason the black box theatre or dance studios could not still be housed in the building, because cineplexes are often partially or entirely underground.

Is this the prime spot for a large gathering space? Based on the sketches shown, it appears it would have less square footage of outdoor public gathering space than the plaza at Bethesda Metro Center. Yet, I am hearing more detail about this project, than about what we will do to restore public gathering at the Metro. Reactivating the Metro Center plaza would be less expensive than this project, so we shouldn't use public gathering space as a major justification for the arts center.

Beyond that, several projects are providing public space entirely through private investment. These include the public plazas at the Gallery Bethesda and Bainbridge Bethesda apartments, and the JBG project on the other side of Fairmont Plaza. So there is more public space on the way. But none of those, nor the arts center proposal, include any significant additional parkland beyond the traditional pocket or urban park.

What will the height and density of the project be? The building shown in the planning department sketch looks awfully squat for an urban location near Metro.

Finally, what is the proposed parking plan for the facility? Would it have an underground garage for both residents and patrons of the arts facilities?

Again, I have not formed a final opinion about the Bethesda Arts Center proposal. What I do think, is that we need substantive community discussion on the above points and others, before we start committing public funds to a project of this scope. Please feel free to add your thoughts in the comments below.

ARCLIGHT CINEMAS/WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

More progress is being made on the future 16-screen ArcLight Cinemas and dining terrace addition at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. You can see that, since my last update, the yellow Tyvek-type coverings have been replaced with the blue colors you see currently. The ground-level entrance appears more defined, and some type of wood-colored tiling is being added to the far left part, where the cineplex meets the parking garage structure. Opening for the addition is scheduled for this fall.

CRIME SPIKE CONTINUES IN W. BETHESDA - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

I'm continuing to follow a crime spike in the Massachusetts Avenue corridor of west Bethesda. A theft and stolen car on Saturday are the latest two incidents, as well as a theft on Duvall Drive on July 4.

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on July 5, according to crime data:

Theft. 5500 block Christy Drive (Springfield).

Stolen car. 5200 block Farrington Road (Spring Hill).

Theft. 10700 block Mist Haven Terrace.

Burglary. 3900 block Woodlawn Road (North Chevy Chase).

Theft. 5400 block McGrath Boulevard.

MONTROSE CROSSING SHOPPING CENTER GETS A MAKEOVER (PHOTOS)

Federal Realty's Pike & Rose development is drawing a lot of attention in North Bethesda. But the developer's other property, diagonally across Rockville Pike and the Montrose Parkway, is getting a freshened look and branding.

Montrose Crossing is perhaps best known as the one-time home of a Super Giant store. It still has a Giant, as well as an Old Navy and - most recently - a Chick-Fil-A. Now it has new signage around the property, as well. The color theme is green.

CAN NO ONE TAKE ACTION ABOUT SIDEWALK VIOLATIONS IN BETHESDA? (PHOTOS)

Construction sites in downtown Bethesda continue to block sidewalk access for pedestrians, even though this supposedly forbidden under county law. Councilmember Roger Berliner (D-District 1) told me over a month ago that this situation should not occur under a law which was passed many years ago. Berliner said a waiver can be obtained under certain circumstances.

This weekend, several sidewalks were entirely blocked to pedestrians, denying access to citizens and potential patrons of businesses located beyond the blockades.

Regular readers have heard plenty about Fairmont Avenue. But yesterday, sidewalks on both sides of that street were again closed, rendering the street inaccessible to pedestrians. The 7770 Norfolk project continues to block sidewalks around its site, and the recent closure of the sidewalk alongside the Bainbridge Bethesda project continues, as well. On Sunday, the makeshift "pedestrian walkway" along the curb was blocked to wheelchairs and foot traffic alike, with a cone.

There's ostensibly a "walkway"
ahead for pedestrians on
Fairmont Avenue

See the cone ahead near the
other ramp? No room for
a wheelchair to pass. See the
blocked sidewalk across the
street? That's the 7700 Norfolk
project blockade

A new offender is the construction site at the former location of the Arlington Road post office. Apparently, a security fence collapsed outwards onto the Arlington Road sidewalk, and either no one bothered to pick it up, or no one is monitoring the site. Pedestrians were walking into oncoming traffic on Arlington Road, rather than crossing at Bethesda Avenue. Of course, with no sign to warn of the closure ahead, few are likely to take the time to do that once they are that far down the block. Drivers coming around the bend have no idea that someone will be in the road.

This fence has fallen...
and it can't get up

Pedestrians walking into oncoming
traffic around a blind curve on
Arlington Road on Sunday

No detour sign or warning

How this dangerous situation is being allowed to continue, is beyond me. If Montgomery County is serious about pedestrian safety, it's well past time to crack down on these violations. This is becoming a complete farce at this point. Is everyone keeping track of when I started reporting on this? Keep keeping track, so we find out how long deadly pedestrian situations are allowed to persist in Montgomery County.

BLUE RASPBERRY TWINKIES REVIEW (VIDEO)

Hostess has created 3 new Twinkies flavors for Summer 2014: Blue Raspberry Creme, Strawberry Creme, and Chocolate Creme. I like almost any food or drink in the color blue, so I decided to try the Blue Raspberry variety first.

How do they taste? How do they compare to the "new" classic Twinkie? Watch my review to find out! Plus, we get the latest on our expert's suddenly-burgeoning Hollywood career, which has taken another strange turn.

FIRST LOOK: RENDERING OF HAMPDEN ROW CONDOS IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Here's a sneak preview of the future Toll Brothers City Living luxury condo building, Hampden Row, at the corner of Arlington Road and Hampden Lane in Bethesda. One interesting detail to note: the facade eerily resembles that of The Hampden, a garden apartment building about to be demolished further up Hampden Lane.

Hampden Row will have 55 condominiums, which will range from 1-3 bedrooms. The plan for the building to open for sale late this year doesn't sound very realistic at this point, however. They have not even broken ground yet, much less demolished the existing homes on the properties.

Rendering courtesy of Toll Brothers City Living
All rights reserved
Photos: Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row

PLUMBING PROBLEMS SINK BETHESDA PHOTO STUDIO (PHOTOS)

Ongoing plumbing problems have led a Bethesda photographer to move out of her studio at 4715 Cordell Avenue. Carly Glazier chose not to renew her lease in the building due to the problems, and associated costs to her business. Glazier says she will reopen in another location "in the near future." In the meantime, she is still operating her photography business, and can be reached at 301-351-0986 or at her website.

CRIME WAVE CONTINUES IN WEST BETHESDA, ARREST AT GARAGE 40 + MORE - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

A minor crime wave continues to unfold in neighborhoods along Massachusetts Avenue in west Bethesda. Primarily burglaries or thefts from cars, the activity clearly suggests repeat customers are casing neighborhoods there. Westmoreland Hills is being particularly hard hit, with two more vehicle burglaries there last Thursday. A third vehicle was busted into next door in the Spring Hill subdivision. Be sure to report any suspicious persons or vehicles in the neighborhood to the Montgomery County Police immediately.

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on July 3, according to crime data:

Liquor arrest. Parking Garage 40 (4935 St. Elmo Avenue).

Theft. Sapphire Cafe.

Vehicle burglary. Cordell Avenue at Old Georgetown Road.

Burglary. 3500 block Dundee Driveway.

Theft. 8600 block Melwood Road.

Vehicle burglary. 5200 block Falmouth Road (Spring Hill).

Vehicle burglary. 5200 block Duvall Drive (Westmoreland Hills).

Vehicle burglary. 5400 block Duvall Drive (Westmoreland Hills).

Theft. DSW Warehouse.

Assault. 5400 block Marinelli Road.

Drug arrest. Westlake Drive at Westlake Terrace.