New Wheaton Library and Recreation Center construction behind schedule

Demolition of the Wheaton Library is now complete, and the construction process is now underway for the new Wheaton Library and Recreation Center. However, the latest word is that the project is behind schedule.

Initially, delivery was expected by Summer 2018. The project website has more recently said Spring 2019, which would be 24 months from now. However, this week, Montgomery County Department of General Services Deputy Director Greg Ossont reported that "we're about 30 months out." That would be near the end of 2019, a full 18 months later than the original target date.

I did find what appears to be a new rendering of the rear of the building (or at least, it's new to me), on the project website, and it looks pretty impressive. This is where the circular driveway will be for drop-offs and book returns.

Rendering courtesy Montgomery County

Silver Spring hotel developer seeks 4' of additional height

The Renaissance Inn extended-stay hotel planned for 8600 Georgia Avenue may get an extended height. Under the current zoning code, the starting point for measuring building height is in the center of the property. Developer Starr Georgia, LLC will ask the Montgomery County Planning Board for permission to count from the corner of the lot, which planners estimate will give them another 4' in height.

Getting permission to do so should not be a problem for this project, Area 1 Regulatory Supervisor Elza Hisel-McCoy told the applicant Tuesday. "You're at the intersection of Main and Main in downtown Silver Spring, and you need 4 feet," he explained. The site is at the crossroads of Georgia and Colesville Road, two of the heaviest-traveled commuter routes in the state of Maryland. It is currently home to a gas station.

The Board isn't likely to take up the matter until September, and the applicant may need to request an extension for the review before then.

Rendering via Montgomery County Planning Department

Wheaton redevelopment groundbreaking date set

There's now an official date for the Wheaton redevelopment groundbreaking. It will take place on Sunday, June 4, at Lot 13 in the Wheaton Triangle. The event has been scheduled as part of Taste of Wheaton. Part of Lot 13 will then close as soon as the next day, as construction begins on the new Montgomery County government office building. A Bozzuto apartment building will be constructed separately on the other part of Lot 13.

Another MCPS security employee charged with having sex with student

Montgomery County police have arrested and charged a Montgomery County Public Schools employee for allegedly having sex with a 14-year-old student at Col. Brooke E. Lee Middle School in Silver Spring, where he was a "security employee." Mike Anthony Lievano, 21, of University Boulevard in Silver Spring, has been charged with sexual abuse of a minor, a third-degree sex offense, and fourth-degree sex offense.

Police say Lievano turned himself in late last night, and was transported to the Central Processing Unit. He is being held on a $10,000 bond.

Lievano is the second MCPS security employee in a month to be charged with having sex with a minor girl at the school he was assigned to. In the first case, at Richard Montgomery High School, it was revealed that MCPS had failed to do a background check on that employee, who had faced charges in a strip club gun incident easily found through a Google search.

Detectives say Lievano and the girl at Lee MS started "dating" on March 29, after an exchange of text messages. They did not say how the suspect obtained the girl's cell phone number. "Inappropriate sexual contact" took place between the two at his home, and her home.

Police ask anyone who believes that his/her child may have been victimized by Lievano in a similar way to call the Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5400.

Sneak peek: BiBiBop Asian Grill in downtown Silver Spring (Photos)

BiBiBop Asian Grill looks close to finished inside at 935 Ellsworth Drive, in downtown Silver Spring. It looks like they are moving the furniture in. Based in the great city of Columbus, Ohio, the restaurant replaces the departed ShopHouse.

Wheaton Triangle's Lot 13 to partially close "on or about" June 5

Montgomery County Public Parking Lot 13 will partially close on or about June 5, 2017, according to the County. This is for construction of a new County office building on half of the parking lot. About 34 parking spaces will remain open for use for the time being. Eventually, a Bozzuto apartment building will be constructed on the remaining portion of the lot.

This fits with the groundbreaking date I've heard reported previously, June 4. After all these years, it sounds like Wheaton redevelopment is imminent, folks.

Silver Spring construction update: Studio Plaza (Photos)

Two tower cranes have been erected at the Studio Plaza construction site, which will eventually be addressed as 916 Thayer Avenue. Studio Plaza may get a new name, as well, as developer Fairfield Residential's website says the final name of the development is "pending." The site lists Summer 2018 as the opening date, although a sidewalk closure permit on-site says the sidewalk won't reopen until May 2019.

Whatever it's ultimately called, 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 building design is by WDG Architects.