Purple Line construction update (Video+Photos)

Purple Line construction work on the plaza outside the Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema will commence this Thursday, February 15, 2018, according to Purple Line Transit Partners. As a result, the area will be fenced off during construction. Office trailers will be among the objects placed on the plaza.

Meanwhile, work continues along the Capital Crescent Trail east of downtown Bethesda, and in the Chevy Chase Lake and Rock Creek Park area. "Clearing and grubbing" (a.k.a. clearcutting forested parkland along the Purple Line route) are the major focus of operations right now, as you can see by the many tree trunks littering the ground.

Euphrasie, VIP liquidating; Flexy cleared out at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

"Everything Must Go!" signs are now
ubiquitous across moribund
Montgomery County

Another trio of businesses appear to be on the way out at Westfield Montgomery Mall. VIP Outdoor is having a liquidation sale; everything is 50% off, according to a sign posted outside the store. Euphrasie has been having an "everything must go!" sale recently, But the store was closed during business hours Saturday. Finally, Flexy has been almost entirely cleared out, but no signs have been posted yet regarding a closure.

Bethesda construction update: 4747 Bethesda Avenue (Photos)

Construction is still in the early stages at JBG Smith's future 4747 Bethesda Avenue mixed-use office building project. JBG Smith plans to relocate its own headquarters from Chevy Chase into this building when it is completed.

Renovation update: Collection at Chevy Chase (Photos)

The Collection at Chevy Chase has been hit hard by the flight of wealthy Montgomery County residents to lower-tax jurisdictions in recent years. Once the crown jewel of what was called "Montgomery County's Rodeo Drive," the building fronting Wisconsin Avenue is a jumble of shuttered storefronts and restaurants. As a result, the property is repositioning itself for a different target audience, and renovation work has been underway for several months.

Valentine's Day/Week special at Del Frisco's Grille at Pike & Rose

Starting tonight at Del Frisco's Grille at Pike & Rose, and running through next Sunday, February 18, 2018, you and your valentine can celebrate the romantic holiday with a special 12 oz. Wagyu bone-in steak, topped with rich truffle butter.

This item is not on the regular menu. To reserve your booth, call (301) 881-0308. Del Frisco's Grille is located at 11800 Grand Park Avenue in North Bethesda.

Bethesda construction update: Gallery II (Photos)

Here's another belated construction update from the Woodmont Triangle in Bethesda. Donohoe's Gallery II, the sister residential tower to Gallery Bethesda, is far into the construction process. Both buildings share a pedestrian plaza. The recent completion of the new Bethesda police station across the street leaves the Rugby Avenue construction spotlight on this, and a second Donohoe construction job, the Brightview Bethesda.

Arts Alley activated at Cheval Bethesda condos (Video+Photos)

Arts Alley was partially lit up last night, activating the public walkway to the Woodmont Corner garage that runs behind the soon-to-open Cheval Bethesda ultra-luxury condo tower at 4990 Fairmont Avenue. The alley also includes arts incubator studio spaces, and it appears the condo leasing office will be located there, as well. Duball, LLC is the developer of the building, and of Arts Alley, which was part of the Cheval project.