Leggett proposes renaming Wheaton/Glenmont pool after fallen officer

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett has proposed renaming the Wheaton/Glenmont Outdoor Pool facility as the Hector Ayala Wheaton/Glenmont Outdoor Pool. Ayala, a Montgomery County police officer, was killed in the line of duty in April 2010, while responding to an emergency call.

En route to help a fellow officer at the scene of a fight, Ayala's police cruiser left the roadway and struck a tree on Randolph Road. He was survived by his widow, who was pregnant at the time with triplets.

Ayala, 31, spent his entire career patroling the Wheaton area.

Signage installed at Ross at Ellsworth Place in Silver Spring (Photos)

Signage has been installed at the future Ross store inside Ellsworth Place mall in downtown Silver Spring. I like the vintage tile floor design, which adds a throwback department store accent.

Silver Spring construction update: Downtown Silver Spring staircase (Photos)

The stairs at Downtown Silver Spring currently look like something you might see during a Metro escalator renovation.

Lighting accents installed at Ellsworth Place (Photos)

The modern, futuristic design shown in renderings of the Ellsworth Place mall renovation, which appeared to show portions of the exterior lit at night, is now becoming reality. In addition to the already-installed giant video screens, the supports and columns now light up, making the mall hard to miss at the corner of Colesville Road and Fenton Street.

Wheaton construction update: AVA Wheaton apartments (Photos)

The site has been cleared of most of the debris left behind by the office building that once occupied this site on Blueridge Avenue at Georgia Avenue. Now grading is underway for Avalon Bay's AVA Wheaton apartments. Delivery is expected in 2017. Check out the website for new renderings of the lobby, as well as the older renderings of the exterior.

Guitar Center latest major retailer to sign on at Ellsworth Place in Silver Spring

Ellsworth Place mall just keeps getting better and better as its renovation continues. Guitar Center is in the process of leasing a 14,000+ SF space on the pedestrian bridge level of the property. Ross has an even larger space on that floor, as well. Marshalls, Burlington Coat Factory, Michaels and Dave & Busters are some of the other anchor-size tenants who will reside in the new Ellsworth Place.

A veritable "big box" of the music retail world, Guitar Center currently has a Rockville location. As a guitarist myself, I will have one more reason to spend vast amounts of time at Ellsworth Place in the future.

Essex House residents complain to Takoma Park Mayor and Council

A group of residents of the Essex House apartment building at 7777 Maple Avenue in Takoma Park turned out at last night's Mayor and Council meeting to implore officials to address a litany of complaints they have. Several tenants who spoke cited exorbitant rent increases, broken-down elevators, pests, mold, uncleaned swimming facilities, and windows that haven't been cleaned in "years."

Two residents told officials that there is drug use in the hallways and stairwells of the building, and asked for police to patrol inside the common areas. One resident said she and her fellow tenants are also being gouged by the single cable TV provider in the building.

Councilmembers Jarrett Smith, Terry Seamens and Fred Schultz praised residents for coming in to speak, all saying that the physical turnout will help them muster the assistance to address these and other issues, as opposed to officials simply repeating what they have heard in private conversations or emails. They did not address any of the specific allegations made at the meeting, however.

Several tenants stressed that they very much want to stay at Essex House, if the rent can be kept within their reach, and if other issues can be resolved.

Rue 21, Windsor coming to Wheaton Plaza (Photos)

Westfield Wheaton Plaza is about to add two more fashion retailers. Rue 21 is a Pennsylvania-based chain offering casual apparel targeted toward young men and women. It will be located next to the Dollar Store.

 Windsor provides dresses for occasions ranging from prom to weddings to cocktail parties. Founded in 1937, their aim is to "create an oasis that inspires and empowers women." Look for them next to Hot Topic when they open.

Finally, Perfumania will return to Wheaton Plaza this spring. If you missed it the other day, check out my report on the construction of the AMC Wheaton 9 cineplex, Bar Louie and Olive Garden at the mall.

Early voting at Silver Spring Civic Building (Photos)

Did you know you can vote now, ahead of next Tuesday's Presidential Primary? Early voting is underway in Montgomery County, and one of the busiest voting sites with the most signs is the Silver Spring Civic Building.

Wheaton construction update: AMC Theatres/Bar Louie/Olive Garden (Photos)

I stopped by the construction site of the new structure that will house the AMC Wheaton 9 cineplex, Bar Louie, and Olive Garden at Wheaton Plaza. It's not finished yet, but already looks quite impressive. Very modern, but also some throwback art deco touches, and a reminder of Wheaton Plaza's early days as an outdoor mall.

For a preview of what the finished building will look like, check out the renderings I posted a few months ago.

This is the front of the
cineplex itself