MoCo Planning Department seeks building nominees for Design Excellence Award

Gallery Bethesda

Is there a building constructed in the last decade in Bethesda you think deserves major recognition? Does it "foster economic, social and environmental sustainability?" Does it "express the essential qualities of outstanding walkable, sustainable places at the scale of the neighborhood, block and building?" And "illustrate how great design contributes to the community in terms of character, identity and economic value?"

You're in luck, at least if you can afford the $175 entry fee, and are prepared to do a lot of writing. . The Montgomery County Planning Department is launching its first annual Design Excellence Award. Nominees may be submitted anytime between now and midnight August 21, 2015. The winning building project will be promoted by the Planning Department through its own media portals, and via press releases to the general media, and through features at department events that promote excellence in design.

Public and private projects are both eligible.

For complete nominating instructions, a list of the professional judging panel and full details, visit the award page on the department's website.

The Flats at Bethesda Avenue

North Bethesda Market

Assault on Wisconsin Ave., 2 burglaries in 25 minutes on Nicholson La. + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on July 4, according to crime data:

Assault. 7400 block Wisconsin Avenue at 3:35 AM.

Disorderly conduct. 4800 block Cordell Avenue at 12:33 AM.

Disorderly conduct/liquor. 4900 block St. Elmo Avenue at 2:59 AM.

Burglary. 7800 block Old Georgetown Road at 8:26 PM.

Theft. 5200 block Tuckerman Lane.

Vehicle burglary. 9800 block Belhaven Road (Ashburton).

Drug arrest. Old Georgetown Road at Cheshire Drive.

Burglary. 5200 block Nicholson Lane at 10:20 AM (Pike District).

Burglary. 5000 block Nicholson Lane at 10:45 AM (Pike District).

Theft. 5600 block Randolph Road (Pike District).

Update on dangerous Bradley Boulevard crosswalks in Bethesda

Two and half months ago, I reported on the dangerous - and seemingly abandoned - pedestrian crossing at Bradley Boulevard near Offutt Lane. The crossing signals there, and at another crosswalk further up at Strathmore Street, were not connected. I have finally gotten some information back from the Maryland State Highway Adminstration on what's going on there.

You may recall that there were not only barrels laying in the pedestrian cut-through in the median island at the Offutt-vicinity crossing, but that residents complained parking was being allowed right up against these crosswalks. The latter issue was blocking drivers' views of pedestrians who would be entering the crosswalks.

A MDSHA representative says a solution is likely at least 60 days away. He pointed to PEPCO as the major issue in the failure to connect the signals to the electrical system. In regard to parking, he said that the SHA hired a contractor to study these crosswalks and recommend changes. Her contract with the state apparently ran out in late spring, grinding the process to a halt. She is expected back on the job within the next couple of weeks, however, and should make those recommendations.

Overall, it gives you an excellent sense of how government works (or doesn't, in this case). Residents can point out what's wrong in a few minutes here, but it takes government months just to start studying it. Meanwhile, as the SHA rep noted, the state and local governments apparently have no leverage to force PEPCO to do the work here any faster.

Stay tuned - and stay safe out there.

Westwood Shopping Center sidewalk sale and Family Fun this Saturday, July 11 in Bethesda

Westwood Shopping Center is hosting a Sidewalk Sale this Saturday, July 11 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Enjoy free ice cream and music, and several food trucks will be on hand.

Of course, there will also be a sale going on. Alas, RadioShack has closed. But other local favorites like Anglo Dutch Pools and Toys and Westwood Pet Center are waiting to see you on Saturday.

Westwood Shopping Center

5400 Westbard Avenue

Not Your Average Joe's installs sign in Bethesda (Photo)

The permanent sign was up and lit yesterday afternoon at the new Not Your Average Joe's restaurant in Georgetown Square Shopping Center in Bethesda. It replaces venerable former tenant Hamburger Hamlet at the corner of Old Georgetown Road and Democracy Boulevard.

Bethesda real estate firm Streetsense has given the exterior and interior a complete overhaul. Furniture was in place in the dining room Monday, and there was activity inside the restaurant.

Not Your Average Joe's will open Monday, July 13.

Theft in Bethesda Crest; drug arrests on Cordell Ave., River Rd. + more - Bethesda crime update

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

Disorderly conduct. Tommy Joe's.

Drug arrest. Cordell Avenue at Woodmont Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 5000 block Bradley Boulevard.

Theft. 4900 block Cedar Croft Drive (Bethesda Crest).

Drug arrest. 5100 block River Road.

Theft. 5300 block Western Avenue.

Theft. 10400 block Old Georgetown Road (Wildwood area).

Do trees make this downtown Bethesda park feel unsafe?

The Montgomery County Planning Board will take up the refurbishment plan for Caroline Freeland Park at its July 16 meeting. Named after a prominent figure in county planning history, the park lies on property where a neighborhood of single-family homes once stood.

It contains a number of mature evergreens, pines and cypress trees which the county's Department of Parks says are blocking sight lines. "This leads to a perception of an unsafe condition, and thus inhibits some from freely using the park, especially in the evening," their report to planners states. The report recommends removing or significantly pruning those trees.

It's an interesting issue, because one of the community complaints about the Bethesda Downtown sector plan has been the lack of significant park spaces that are not simply hardscaped plazas or pocket parks. One would think mature trees would be of value at this site. All of the trees currently also serve as a noise buffer and air quality contributor for the residential neighborhood directly behind the park. It's unclear what extensive use this park would have after dark under the current proposal, and its nighttime use is necessarily limited by its proximity to residential Edgemoor anyway. So it would seem like a crime and policing issue more than the fault of the trees.

Tree removal plan
with red Xs to show
those to be removed
(click to enlarge)

The Parks Department has presented its final proposal to upgrade the park from its current conditions in this report. You may recall I gave you an overview of the general concepts in January.

"The Rockery" will lead
from Arlington Road's
sidewalk into the park

The Rockery - a line of natural boulders - will be a central element in the department's final recommended plan, as well as the creation of a "neighborhood green" within the park. They envision a lawn that can be programmed with yoga or fitness classes, among other activities. The currently-closed segment of Hampden Lane would be further developed into a pedestrian promenade, and the playground would be expanded to 5876 SF. That new playground would also be designed with equipment to better serve a wider variety of age groups.

There is an error in the report's history of downtown Bethesda. The report claims the arrival of the railroad had spurred growth in downtown Bethesda by 1894. But the railroad actually didn't reach Bethesda for another 15 years after that.

Images via Montgomery County Planning Department

Fish Taco coming to Bethesda

Cabin John's Fish Taco is expanding to Bethesda. A new location is in the works at the Shops at Wildwood (a.k.a. the Wildwood Shopping Center) on Old Georgetown Road. It will be located in a 3283 SF space next to Chopt at the Federal Realty-owned shopping center.

This will be another venture by Francis Namin of Food Wine & Company in Bethesda. Fish Taco features - yes - fish tacos on the menu. But they also have rice bowls, salads, burritos, quesadillas and their famous Brioche Bread Pudding.

The restaurant is specifically inspired by tacquerias in México City and Baja California. 

They've hired the architecture firm of Steven J. Karr, AIA, Inc. and Winmar Construction for the buildout of the space. This sounds like a winning combination - the Karr firm was behind the successful Norfolk-Cordell II building in Bethesda that houses Urban Heights, Smashburger and Dunkin' Donuts; Winmar was the construction firm that did the build-out for one of the DC area's hottest restaurants, Le Diplomate.

Burger Tap & Shake inches closer to Bethesda with Tenleytown location

Burger Tap & Shake and Shake Shack likely top the restaurant wish list of most Bethesda burger fanatics. Those who've followed my ongoing Shake Shack Watch know that Douglas Development has previously brought that NYC import to one of its properties in the District. Douglas currently has at least a couple of downtown Bethesda spaces available. Douglas most recently landed BTS at its 4445 Wisconsin Avenue retail building in Tenleytown, just "down the pike" from Bethesda.

That Tenleytown location is expected to open tomorrow, July 6, according to a press release. A short Red Line trip will bring you to the Six Buck Chuck, the popular BTS house burger with lettuce, pickles, onion, tomato and AP sauce. AP sauce is their not-so-secret secret sauce - a blend of mayonnaise, mayo, ketchup, house-made barbecue sauce and chipotle sauce. That burger is made with 30-day aged, naturally raised Local Harvest beef chuck and brisket, and served on a buttered, toasted house-made bun.

Shakes are another high point, as the restaurant's name suggests. In addition to a variety of classic and modern flavor, adult milkshakes like Talladega Nights and Oreo Speedwagon add alcohol. A dozen craft beers on tap, wines by the glass and specialty cocktails will round out the upscale beverage menu.

With Chef Jeff Tunks' Passion Food Hospitality (which includes BTS in its portfolio) poised to open a new location of their Passion Fish concept on Bethesda Avenue later this summer, the countdown to adding one of the burger "kings" of Washington in Bethesda continues with resigned optimism.

Photo: Burger Tap & Shake

Sex offense in Grosvenor, auto break-in on Cromwell Dr. + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on July 2, according to crime data:

Vehicle burglary. 7700 block Meadow Lane (Chevy Chase).

Theft from vehicle. 5400 block Westbard Avenue at 9:23 AM.

Drug arrest. 9000 block Connecticut Avenue (near Beltway interchange).

Theft. 5400 block Grove Street (Chevy Chase Village).

Theft. 5400 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 5500 block Cromwell Drive (Springfield).

Assault. 6400 block Whittier Court.

"Other sexual offense." 5400 block Grosvenor Lane at 2:10 PM.

Drug arrest. Rockville Pike at Strathmore Avenue.

Theft. 4700 block Wilwyn Way (Randolph Hills).

Bethesda construction update: 7770 Norfolk luxury condos (Photos)

The balconies actually have railings, as The JBG Companies' 7770 Norfolk luxury condominiums evolve toward completion at 7770 Norfolk Avenue in Bethesda's Woodmont Triangle. There's even some glass installed at the ground level now. 

7770 has at least one ground floor tenant already on board - Community is an upscale diner that will be open early and late, just what's needed for that dark and deserted block of Fairmont Avenue after business hours. It was switched from rental apartments to condos a few months back, suggesting the condo craze could be making a return to downtown Bethesda.

Alex and Ani to open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photo)

Alex and Ani will be taking over the just-vacated Things Remembered space at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. You previously could buy some of their product line at Nordstrom in the mall, but this is their first actual boutique in Bethesda.

Alex and Ani products have a unique selling point - the bracelets and other pieces are touted as being infused with "positive energy." In fact, they are imbued with "positive intention" during the manufacturing process. The company's website promises that this energy will "empower the wearer and reflect the unique qualities of the individual."

If this sounds like the place for you, they are currently hiring staff for the new boutique.

Vehicle break-in wave continues in Bethesda, Chevy Chase - Crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on July 1, according to crime data:

Vehicle burglary. 7700 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Theft. 4800 block Bethesda Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. Unit block of Primrose Street (Chevy Chase Village).

Theft. 5300 block Western Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 7200 block Summit Avenue (Martin's Additions).

Vehicle burglary. 9800 block Belhaven Road (Ashburton).

Vehicle burglary. 9600 block Montauk Avenue (Georgetown Village).

Theft. 10400 block Fernwood Road.

Theft. 7100 block Westlake Terrace.

Shanghai 66 Innovation Kitchen posts Coming Soon signage in Bethesda (Photos)

Coming Soon signage is now up in the Dining Terrace for Shanghai 66 Innovation Kitchen at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Shanghai is the latest venture from Ivan Liang, the man behind the popular Bob's Noodle 66 and Bob's Shanghai 66 in Rockville.

The menu is yet to be revealed, but will center around dumplings and organic fillings and ingredients.

They're hiring, and the beginnings of their official website have gone live.

Bethesda construction update: Solaire Bethesda luxury apartments (Photos)

Let's check in at the site of the future Solaire Bethesda luxury apartments, at the former home of Eastham's Servicenter on Wisconsin Avenue at Woodmont Avenue. This project is being developed by Washington Property Company, and has one ground floor restaurant tenant already, True Food Kitchen.

Car stolen from Overlea Rd., auto break-ins spike in Bethesda, Chevy Chase + much more - Crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on June 30, according to crime data:

Assault. 7700 block Woodmont Avenue at 12:24 AM.

Assault. 7700 block Wisconsin Avenue at 6:58 PM.

Theft. 7900 block Norfolk Avenue.

Theft. 7200 block Woodmont Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 3600 block Shepherd Street (Chevy Chase Section 3).

Vehicle burglary. 3600 block Taylor Street (Chevy Chase Section 3).

Vehicle burglary. 6800 block Georgia Street (Chevy Chase Section 3).

Vehicle burglary. Unit block of Farmington Court (Farmington).

Burglary. 8600 block Jones Mill Road (Rock Creek Knolls).

Theft. 3200 block Leland Street.

Stolen car. 6000 block Overlea Road (Fort Sumner).

Vehicle burglary. 6200 block Stoneham Road (Ashburton).

Vehicle burglary. 6200 block Stoneham Court (Ashburton).

Vehicle burglary. 10300 block Rossmore Court (Wildwood Manor).

Burglary. 5900 block Avon Drive (Wildwood Manor).

Vehicle burglary. 9900 block Montauk Avenue (Georgetown Village).

Theft. 5700 block Luxemburg Street.

Theft. 6400 block Bells Mill Road (Marymount).

Assault. 10600 block Mist Haven Terrace.

Theft. 11400 block Rockville Pike (Pike District).

Theft. 7100 block Democracy Boulevard.

Nighttime utility work ahead on Wisconsin Ave. in Bethesda

Utility work required for the 8300 Wisconsin construction project in downtown Bethesda is tentatively scheduled to take place between 7:00 PM and 5:00 AM beginning July 13.

A request for a temporary noise waiver has been filed with the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection. The utility work will take place in the southbound lanes of Wisconsin Avenue (MD 355), and I assume will likely require temporary lane closures as well. It is being done at night in compliance with Maryland State Highway Administration requirements that such projects not interfere with daytime traffic or pedestrian activity.

This project is expected to take 30 days to complete, and will take place on weeknights only.

Car stolen in Chevy Chase Section 3, Pike District assault + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on June 29, according to crime data:

Vehicle burglary. 7600 block Old Georgetown Road.

Theft. 8000 block Norfolk Avenue.

Assault. 4600 block N. Park Avenue at 2:42 PM.

Stolen car. 7000 block Georgia Street at 5:46 AM (Chevy Chase Section 3).

Theft. 9700 block Montauk Avenue (Georgetown Village).

Theft. CVS Pharmacy (Shops at Wildwood).

Theft. 10500 block Aubinoe Farm Drive (Wildwood Manor).

Theft. Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Assault. Executive Boulevard at Woodglen Drive at 9:58 PM (Pike District).

Theft. 12100 block Whippoorwill Lane (Montrose Woods).

Capital Crescent Trail reopens to Bethesda Avenue (Photos)

The section of the Capital Crescent Trail between Ourisman Honda's garage and Bethesda Avenue reopened Wednesday. For the last few weeks, trail users had to detour via the Flats at Bethesda Avenue while workers redid this part of the trail.

The paving job looks great, providing a very smooth surface. Cyclists and joggers were already taking advantage of the new trail segment yesterday.

TARDIS to arrive at Bethesda Row Friday night

Attention Doctor Who fans: Barnes and Noble at Bethesda Row is the place you will want to be this Friday night, July 3 at 7:00 PM. Those who travel by TARDIS will find Doctor Who trivia, giveaways, special offers and more. The store is encouraging fans to come in costume as their favorite Doctor Who character for the event.

According to the BBC, the TARDIS "has survived missile attacks, extreme temperatures, gunfire, alien onslaughts and even the assembled hordes of Genghis Khan couldn’t get through its doors."

So I'm anxious to find out how it fares in Montgomery County's rush hour traffic.

Barnes and Noble

4801 Bethesda Avenue

Sumner auto break-in spree continues, assault at Medical Center Metro + more - Bethesda crime update

If you live in the vicinity of Glen Mar Park or Sumner, make sure your car doors are locked and all valuables are removed from the interior. One or more thieves are breaking into cars in those neighborhoods in recent days. Report any suspicious persons or vehicles to Montgomery County Police.

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on June 28, according to crime data:

Assault. Medical Center Metro station at 6:57 PM.

Burglary. 4800 block Auburn Avenue at 12:44 AM.

Theft. Wisconsin Circle.

Drug arrest. I-270 at Grosvenor Lane.

Vehicle burglary. 5000 block Scarsdale Road (Sumner).

Vehicle burglary. 4900 block Rockmere Court (Sumner).

Vehicle burglary. 5100 block Sangamore Road (Sumner).

Vehicle burglary. 5000 block Baltan Road (Sumner).

Burglary. 6500 block Lone Oak Drive at 10:35 AM (Fernwood).

Burglary. 10900 block Montrose Avenue at 1:03 PM (Garrett Park).

Theft. 10400 block Fernwood Road.

Theft. Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Stolen car. 11400 block Schuylkill Road at 12:41 PM (Randolph Hills).

Sign/awning installed at Kendra Scott at Bethesda Row (Photos)

Here's the first activity seen for a while at the future Kendra Scott boutique on Bethesda Avenue at Bethesda Row. The permanent signage/awning was installed yesterday.

Kendra Scott is expected to open this summer, as early as this month, but stay tuned for an official opening date. Scott is known for her jewelry worn by celebrities like Nina Dobrev, Jessica Alba and Sofia Vergara.

Things Remembered closes at Westfield Montgomery Mall (Photos)

Things Remembered has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The store, which specialized in personalized gifts, was a longtime tenant at the mall. As you can see in the photo below, the space is already mostly cleared out. 

Is demand for monogrammed items down, or is it because there are just more options of where to order them (mostly online) than in the 1980s?