Monday, March 18, 2024

More landmark Kensington properties available for sale


The last few years have seen several venerable, landmark buildings along Kensington's main drag hit the real estate market. Now joining them is a portfolio of commercial properties at 3606-3612 University Boulevard. It includes an office building, a retail store, a warehouse, and a small house that is apparently designed to function as an office. Of course, there may also be lucrative redevelopment opportunities to explore on the site, which has incredible visibility along a major commuter route. 

You may recall that longtime tenant Potomac Trading announced plans to close here back in 2022. The store apparently then changed its plans and remained open. But it apparently means to finally shutter this time, as the online listing claims the properties will transfer to the buyer as "100% vacant" at the time of closing. The asking price for the total portfolio is $3,300,000.





Saturday, March 16, 2024

Montgomery County police to conduct saturation patrols all St. Patrick's Day weekend


Montgomery County police will be conducting saturation patrols across the jurisdiction this weekend, in an attempt to deter and catch drunk drivers. Almost 50% of traffic-related deaths on St. Patrick's Day weekend historically have been caused by people driving while intoxicated, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Deployment of the full Alcohol Initiatives Unit, and overtime pay for the extra officers on the streets this weekend, are being partially-funded by grants from the Maryland Highway Safety Office. Joining County officers on patrol this weekend will be cruisers from the Maryland State Police - Rockville Barrack N, the Maryland Transportation Authority police, the County’s Sheriff’s Department, and the Maryland-National Capital Park police.


“If you plan to drink, do not drive,” Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones said in a statement. “Our officers will be conducting saturation patrols throughout the County and arresting intoxicated drivers. The tragedy that occurs when people get behind the wheel intoxicated is 100 percent preventable.”


County officials are urging those who plan to drink, and do not already have a plan to safely return home, to utilize the SoberRide program. The free ride-home program is offered through the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) in partnership with Lyft. Promotional codes for Lyft will be posted online at 11:00 AM on Sunday, March 17, on SoberRide.com. The codes are valid for up to $15-off on one ride home taken in Lyft’s Washington, D.C., coverage area from noon on Sunday, March 17, until midnight on Monday, March 18. The number of codes is limited, and participants must be 21 or older. Officials also suggest using the County's Ride On bus service.


“There are ample ride services that will get you home safety,” County Department of Transportation Director Chris Conklin said. “If you are choosing to celebrate with alcohol this St. Patrick’s Day, plan out your ride home ahead of time to keep our shared roadways safe for everyone.”



Friday, March 15, 2024

Silver Spring hotel being demolished (Photos)


Demolition of the former Hampton Inn hotel at 8728 Colesville Road in downtown Silver Spring is underway. The building has a history of great change, having started life as an office property before its conversion to a hotel. Next-door neighbor United Therapeutics acquired the building in 2021, and is now removing it to allow for the continued expansion of its biotech campus. The controlled mechanical structural demolition is scheduled to continue through the end of May 2024. A noise suppression plan for the demolition was approved by Montgomery County on January 3, 2024.






Thursday, March 14, 2024

Crossroads at Kensington construction update (Photos)


Slowly-but-surely seems to be the mantra with the Crossroads at Kensington shopping center project. The ambitious redevelopment of a former gas station site has been in the works since January 2021. While the gas station was demolished a year ago, and it looked like construction would begin in earnest shortly afterward, today there is a mere framework of only a portion of the planned strip mall. Tenants who have signed leases so far are Buffalo Wild Wings GO, Mezeh, Marathon Deli and M&T Bank.



Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Java Nation opens in Silver Spring


Java Nation
's newest location is now open at 1010 Wayne Avenue, in the Station Square building in downtown Silver Spring. This location has a convenient pickup window for takeout orders, and is right near the Silver Spring Metro station for your morning coffee. 


Initial operating hours of the Silver Spring Restobar will be 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Sunday through Wednesday, and 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM Thursday through Saturday. Hours for the Silver Spring Express cafe will be 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Happy hour is 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM Monday through Saturday.

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

The Fillmore gets a new marquee in Silver Spring (Photos)


The marquee at The Fillmore at 8656 Colesville Road in Silver Spring can suddenly do more. By my recollection, the concert venue's electronic display has been text-only in the past. Now it features graphic images, as well, as you can see here. From the now-exposed metalwork left behind on either side of the display, it appears that the old one was entirely removed, and replaced with the fancier one. 



Monday, March 11, 2024

Sabor Mixteco sets opening date in Wheaton


Sabor Mixteco
has set an opening date at 2460 Ennalls Avenue in the Wheaton Triangle. The Oaxacan Mexican restaurant is aiming to open on March 16, 2024. Employees were busy working inside Sunday afternoon.

Specialties will include Oaxacan-style taquizas and parrilladas. Sabor Mixteco has nearly a decade in operation as a catering business, and is now branching out into this bricks-and-mortar restaurant location. It will be next door to Fruver.