Bethesda construction update: Hyatt Regency Starbucks (Photos)

Work continues at downtown Bethesda's newest Starbucks. It's still not clear if this will be one of the new premium Starbucks Reserve model stores. The store will be located in the ground floor of the Hyatt Regency Bethesda hotel.

Developer reveals more details on St. Elmo Apartments project in Bethesda (Photos)

The Lenkin Companies held another public meeting last night in Bethesda, to reveal more details regarding the St. Elmo Apartments project. A 21-story tower, it will span the block between St. Elmo Avenue and Fairmont Avenue, and share the existing plaza will the Bainbridge Bethesda. Most of the information and images released last night were already published in my report last month, but here's what's new:

Attorney Steve Robins said he expects their amended sketch and preliminary plans to be filed with Montgomery County next month, with an expected Planning Board public hearing after the summer. A site plan will follow.

As I mentioned last month, the Bainbridge plaza will be widened by 20 feet. The architect explained the rationale behind the increase as providing better angled views outside of the buildings.

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Units available will range from 1-bedrooms to 1-bedrooms with den, to 2-bedrooms and 3-bedrooms. The pool is currently expected to be on the main roof of the tower.

This is a project that has now been in the works for years, but it seems that each time they update their plans the quality of the architecture and overall design improves, so the delays appear to have actually helped..

Kenwood cherry blossoms emerging for 2018

The exclusive Kenwood neighborhood provides so much for those who can't even afford to live there - the area's best Independence Day fireworks, a pleasant stroll along its portion of the Capital Crescent Trail, and perhaps most famously, the annual blooming of its cherry blossoms. Those blossoms are just beginning to emerge for the season, despite the gloomy weather. Expect vehicle and pedestrian traffic to increase in the Chevy Chase neighborhood between downtown Bethesda and Westbard.

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Official: Redwood is out at Bethesda Row

The fairly obvious has now become official. Redwood Restaurant & Bar, closed since the beginning of January, will not be reopening at Bethesda Row. Their space will be divided into three new storefronts, of 1264, 1430 and 4937 SF, respectively, and are now available for lease.

The largest one is the only of the spaces that could fit a sit-down restaurant; the other two could serve as take-out fast casual or retail spaces. Property owner Federal Realty has previously stated they will favor retail over dining in the short term at the development, but ultimately the market will decide what goes in here.

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As many had begun to surmise, the so-called "pipe burst" work going on inside the space over the last few months was actually getting it ready for subdivision and leasing to three new tenants. Rumors of Redwood's exit had been forwarded to me by three different sources beginning last September, but the restaurant did not comment when asked about the reports.

Bethesda construction update: West Lane Apartments

SJG Properties' West Lane Apartments at 4901 Montgomery Lane in downtown Bethesda is still on-schedule for delivery as promised this spring. That had been in doubt this past fall, but the project appears to have gotten back on track since. A colder-than-average but light-on-snow winter surely helped in that regard.

A seven-story building with 112 units (15% of which will be affordable), it not surprisingly has a walk score of 99, and is within easy walking distance of the Bethesda Metro station. Building features will include a 2-level underground parking garage, a gym, a terrace bar, and the ubiquitous rooftop deck. SK+I is the architecture firm, and Clark Construction is the contractor.

Cemetery protesters to return to HOC April 4

Protesters will again seek answers from the Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission tomorrow afternoon, Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at 4:00 PM regarding the future of the Moses African Cemetery. The historic black cemetery is located on the Westwood Tower property in Bethesda, which HOC just acquired from developer Regency Centers.

HOC commissioners have stonewalled the public over the last year, claiming they could not speak on the matter, due to pending Westbard sector plan litigation. The judge has ruled in that case (although residents plan to appeal the ruling), which was not related to the cemetery issue, and Macedonia Baptist Church was not even a party to the lawsuit.

Protesters now want commissioners to weigh in on how they plan to handle the matter of the desecrated cemetery, and the potential construction of a garage atop the graves, which HOC had threatened to build until tabling their plans under fire last fall. Macedonia Baptist Church has also requested permission to allow cadaver dogs onto the Westwood Tower property to locate grave sites, a request that has not yet been acted on by HOC.

Ultimately, the key question is, how will the cemetery and associated former River Road black community be memorialized, and how will the current desecrated state of the cemetery be addressed. The church and descendant community, and residents who support them, have asked that a museum be constructed on the site.

Wednesday's protest will take place at HOC headquarters, which is located 10400 Detrick Avenue in Kensington.

Participants in the protest should bring signs to hold. Suggested messages include:

MEMORIALIZE MOSES CEMETERY
WE SAY NO TO THE STATUS QUO
DON'T PARK ON ME, HOC (my personal favorite)
BLACK LIVES MATTER IN LIFE AND IN DEATH
BLACK ANCESTORS MATTER

Be forewarned that parking is very limited, as all of the parking lots are hogged by HOC, despite all we the taxpayers contribute to the HOC. There are some street parking spaces, and the surrounding residential neighborhood has permit parking restrictions. For that reason, carpool if you can.

Sidewalk reopens, but drilling truck remains

The sidewalk and public parking garage pedestrian entrance on Cordell Avenue reopened a day after they had been mysteriously blocked off alongside a large drilling truck. But a week later, the truck is still there, taking up several public parking spaces that could be used by patrons of restaurants on Cordell.

There are covers over the meter heads. I presume we the taxpayers are being compensated for the lost meter money for all of these days. But there remains no evidence of any actual drilling being performed here.

Runway becomes Marcus at Bethesda Row

The former Courage b boutique at 7125 Bethesda Lane has its second new name in less than a year. Acquired by entrepreneur and CNBC star Marcus Lemonis, the store became Runway last August. As of this weekend, it was officially rebranded as Marcus.

Marcus is the company's newest concept, and features a mixture of established and upstart women's apparel labels. Those labels have been selected by Lemonis himself, the company says. The chain also touts its in-store expert fashion stylists.

It's interesting, because the store has technically been open continuously since 2012, a real accomplishment in a competitive market by the founders of Courage b and Lemonis. They've been able to stay above water without the cache of a recognizable brand like Lily Pulitzer or Kate Spade over the door.

Watch your step at this dangerous downtown Bethesda crosswalk (Photos)

The crosswalk that traverses Fairmont Avenue at Old Georgetown Road has become a danger zone for pedestrians, especially those who are unsteady or texting while walking. A reader reports that an elderly woman fell while crossing here recently, and had to be helped up. Upon inspection, I found that uneven asphalt had been poured over the crosswalk's paint, apparently after underground utility work, and has left a surface ripe for stumbling. Whichever agency is responsible could find itself responsible for personal injuries caused by this careless job.

Altar'd State ready to open at Westfield Montgomery Mall, Euphrasie winding down (Photos)

How appropriate on Easter Sunday that I have an update on the Christian women's apparel boutique opening any day now at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Signage, showroom interior and merchandise are all in place at Altar'd State, which had promised a March 2018 opening.

Their space is slightly fancier than the typical mall retailer's, replete with hanging and wall-mounted light fixtures outside of the store. On an intriguing trivia note, Altar'd State began with one store in Knoxville. Three months ago, Knoxville successfully stole away Discovery Communications' Silver Spring headquarters, while our inept Montgomery County Council was busy debating the merits of banning circus animals and certain vending machine snacks. Heckuva job, Brownie!

In other mall news, Euphrasie is heading the opposite direction of Altar'd State. They are winding down a closing clearance sale.