Silver Spring construction update: Central (Photos)

Construction continues at the future site of Central, at 8455 Fenton Street in downtown Silver Spring. The Grosvenor Americas mixed-use project is scheduled for delivery in Summer 2017. A total of 243 residential units, and 17,000 SF of retail/restaurant space, will be located steps away from the world-class Silver Spring Library and future Purple Line station.

You'll notice moldings have been added to rooflines and to individual floors since my last update in November. Quite a few windows are already in place, as well. All indications suggest the project remains on-schedule.

White Oak transportation review fee to be discussed tonight at ECCAB meeting

Future Route 29 driver

The White Oak Science Gateway Local Area Transportation Review Fee (only government could come up with a name as long as that, folks) will be discussed at tonight's meeting of the East County Citizens' Advisory Board. It will be held at the East County Regional Services Center, located at 3300 Briggs Chaney Road in Silver Spring at 7:00 PM tonight, January 4, 2017.

Silver Spring construction update: Studio Plaza (Video + photos)

Construction is now underway on the big Studio Plaza development in downtown Silver Spring. This is my first construction update on the project, which is bordered by Silver Spring Avenue, Mayor Lane, Thayer Avenue and Fenton Street. The site - which used to hold a Montgomery County public parking lot - sits just a block off of Georgia Avenue, and is within walking distance of Metro.

Studio Plaza will hold 415 residential units, 15% of which will be affordable. It will also boast 10,500 SF of retail, and 35100 SF of public space, including a green plaza, a through-block walk and public art displays.

The developer of Studio Plaza is Fairfield Residential, and the design is by WDG Architects. A delivery date has not yet been announced, but you can figure it will be at least 18-24 months.

You can get an idea of some of
the popular dining options you'll
be within walking distance of
if you rent at Studio Plaza

Burtonsville could get drive-thru Starbucks

A drive-thru Starbucks store is being planned at 15600 Columbia Pike in Burtonsville. The developer, Burtonsville Towne Square, LLC, must first obtain a conditional use approval for the drive-thru function. A similar approval was granted to the nearby Roy Rogers restaurant in 2012.

The Montgomery County Planning Board will take up the matter at its January 12 meeting. Planning staff is recommending approval of the drive-thru, with conditions.

For Burtonsville news 24/7, be sure to follow our @Burtonsville Twitter account.

Congressional Bank closes Silver Spring branch (Photo)

Congressional Bank has permanently closed its downtown Silver Spring branch at 8630 Georgia Avenue. The bank is directing customers to its Rockville branch at 1700 Rockville Pike - not exactly convenient for Silver Spring residents. One customer of the shuttered branch says Congressional had recently reduced the hours this branch was open, after taking it over from American Bank.

A.G. Kitchen hits the road in Silver Spring (Photos)

A.G. Kitchen, the short-lived Silver Spring offshoot of celebrity chef Alex Garcia's New York City flagship restaurant, closed last weekend. On Wednesday, a team from the Big Apple emptied out the restaurant's interior. A graffiti-spattered truck and a U-Haul were among the vehicles helping. Two men engaged in a veritable ballet with what appeared to be a bison head.

Entire contents to be
unloaded

Stay classy

The excitement mounts

Hey! That's my chair!

What is it? A bison
head? A mascot costume?

Whatever it is, here it goes

Passersby are gripped
by the bison ballet

Sunshine Smiles is first retail tenant at The Bonifant in Silver Spring (Photos)

A look down the future
Purple Line right-of-way
from The Bonifant (left) to
the Silver Spring Library

The Bonifant has its first retail tenant. Sunshine Smiles is a new dentist office coming to the ground floor of the building. A crew was working on the interior of the office at the brand new building on Wednesday.