White Oak Federal Research Center environmental cleanup meeting April 11

The Restoration Advisory Board for the Federal Research Center at White Oak will hold its next meeting on the environmental cleanup/restoration at the former Naval Surface Warfare Center on Thursday, April 11, 2019 at 6:00 PM at the White Oak Library, located at 11701 New Hampshire Avenue. Today, the 710 acre campus is home to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

In the past, however, it was known as the Naval Surface Warfare Center - White Oak, and was established in 1939 as a 870 acre site. Testing of water in wells near the site revealed soil and groundwater were contaminated with trichloroethene and ammonium perchlorate both on, and nearby, the testing center. Other chemical and explosive residues and contaminants were identified, as well. There was also an infamous explosion that rocked the neighborhood from a storage magazine on the site on June 28, 1992, which ended up being the "last straw" that led to the facility's shut-down.

The April 11 meeting is open to the public.

Silver Spring construction update: 900 Thayer Avenue (Photos)

Here's the latest progress at 900 Thayer Avenue, a Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission development in partnership with The Concourse Group. When completed, 900 Thayer will feature 124 affordable and workforce housing units, and 5500 SF of retail-restaurant space. It is scheduled for delivery this August.

Wheaton Lot 13 project could top out in August, delivery now set for May 27, 2020 (Photos)

Construction has begun on the eighth floor of the future Montgomery County government office building at Parking Lot 13 in the Wheaton Triangle. Mechanical and piping work are underway on the first and second floors of the building, according to Montgomery County officials.

The past week also witnessed the first work on the associated Town Plaza part of the project. Preliminary grading and excavation was performed on the plaza site, officials report, and the installation of a storm drain that will run under the future plaza has begun. If all remains on-schedule, the building should top-out in August. Delivery of the finished project is expected on May 27, 2020.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Indoor Pool to close May 20 for repairs

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Indoor Pool at 1201 Jackson Road in the White Oak area of Silver Spring, will close for mechanical repairs on Monday, May 20, 2019. It is expected to reopen to the public in September. Montgomery County Recreation Department Director Robin Riley says the pool's filters have reached the end of their lifespan, and must be replaced.

While it seems absurd to close a pool at the start of summer, it actually makes some sense to do this now, as the County's outdoor pools will be opening in late May. With the MLK pool back online for winter, it will be available for use when it's too cold for outdoor pools.

Annual pool pass holders will be able to use their passes at any of Montgomery County Recreation’s other indoor aquatic facilities and outdoor pools during the closure. If MLK pool is the only one you like using, you also have the option to suspend your pool pass during the closure, and resume it when the pool reopens this fall.

More renovations at Regal Cinemas Majestic 20 in Silver Spring

The Regal Cinemas Majestic Stadium 20 cineplex in downtown Silver Spring has made some upgrades in recent years, including the addition of reclining seats. Just two years after I broke that news, more renovations are now on the way. Regal plans $575,000 worth of unspecified "interior alterations" at the theater, and has requested permits for the work from Montgomery County.

First look at Thayer & Spring lobby - with free Starbucks coffee! (Photos)

Here's the first look inside the lobby of the new Thayer & Spring apartments, located at 915 Silver Spring Avenue in downtown Silver Spring. Take note that among the lobby amenities for residents is a Starbucks coffee dispenser, a rare find in moribund Montgomery County's apartment buildings.

Starbucks coffee brewing machine is
front and center in the well-appointed lobby

Let's take a look around the rest of the property while we're here, as well. You can see the public space and green space are nearing completion out in front of the building.

Former 2nd District commander named acting MoCo police chief

A familiar face to residents has just been named acting chief of police for Montgomery County. Assistant Chief Russell E. Hamill, III officially assumed that role at 12:00 AM this morning, according to a statement from the Montgomery County Police Department. Hamill has been a member of the force since 1986.

In August 2007, he was named Commander of the 2nd District, which includes Bethesda, Chevy Chase, most of Potomac, Kensington and a small part of Silver Spring. During that time he was often found at community and civic association meetings to brief residents on public safety issues.

Hamill is expected to remain acting Chief until a nationwide search for a new police chief is completed. He is a lifelong resident of Montgomery County.

Photo courtesy MCPD