Weekend work at Lyttonsville Place Bridge

Purple Line Transit Partners has revised the upcoming work schedule for the Lyttonsville Place Bridge. Crews are now scheduled to arrive there at 7:00 AM this Saturday, July 14, 2018. "Heavy construction" will take place between 9:00 AM and noon that day at the bridge.

Silver Spring construction update: Solaire 8250 Georgia Avenue (Photos)

Since my last update, the Solaire 8250 Georgia Avenue project has risen to a downright imposing height.  You can finally see it rounding into the form promised by the early renderings. This is Washington Property Company's second project in downtown Silver Spring's Ripley District, and their fourth Solaire-branded property in Montgomery County.

With a height of 20 stories, the Solaire 8250 will hold 338 apartments and 15000 SF of retail space, including outdoor seating for dining. Parking will be located in a three-level underground garage. Amenities will include a resort-style rooftop swimming pool and deck, cyber cafe, private courtyard, fitness center, and a club room complete with kitchen, library, flatscreen TV, fireplace and game room. Apartments will be a mix of studios and 1-and-2 bedroom units.

Lendlease is the contractor for the project, Design Collective of Baltimore is the architecture firm, and leasing of the street-level retail and restaurant space will be handled by Streetsense. Delivery is expected in Spring 2019, and as best I can tell from street level, it looks like they are on-schedule at this point.

MoCo invites Silver Spring to test new trash cans, benches

Montgomery County government is asking the public to test new models of public benches and trash cans. Samples of both are on display at Royce Hanson Park, at the Park & Planning headquarters, located at 8787 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring.

Based on public feedback, the Planning Department will make final decisions on the type of benches and trash cans to adopt in the new Silver Spring Streetscape Standards. Test drive each for fit and finish, form and function.

Dip N Rolls for sale in Silver Spring

Dip N Rolls, a popular deli and cafe at 8737 Colesville Road in downtown Silver Spring, is available for sale. The owner is planning to retire, and the business is being offered at $150,000. Their current lease runs through Halloween 2025.

The restaurant has been profitable serving breakfast and lunch. Add in the potential for dinner and late night hours, along with United Therapeutics' Unisphere opening this year across the street, and this could be a very promising opportunity for an aspiring restaurateur. Dip N Rolls remains open for business.

What's next for Wheaton? MoCo officials, county exec candidates to answer July 18

The Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee, in conjunction with sponsors the Wheaton-Kensington Chamber of Commerce and the Ana G. Mendez University, will host a forum called, "What's Next for Wheaton?" on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 from 6:00-9:00 PM at Ana G. Mendez University, located at 11006 Veirs Mill Road #L1 (at Wheaton Plaza). District 4 County Councilmember Nancy Navarro, planning officials, and County Executive candidates will listen to community feedback, and then share their thoughts and plans for the future of Wheaton.

A survey has been posted online for community members to fill out in advance of the forum. It should be noted that, as the forum is hosted by WUDAC, the focus appears to be more on the Wheaton business district, as opposed to the top concerns of Wheaton's residential neighborhoods. Most questions on the survey are related to Lot 13, Reedie Street, and whether you think the planned Arts and Cultural Center should be located in the urban center of Wheaton. However, there is no reason folks cannot raise those resident concerns at this forum, even if they are not on the official agenda.

Silver Spring construction update: Astro Lab Brewing (Photos)

Patience is a virtue for craft beer lovers in Silver Spring, as Astro Lab Brewing continues to painstakingly turn an old building at 8216 Georgia Avenue into a destination brewery. They've received their brewing equipment, which includes a 15-barrel brew house, fermenters, and a brite tank. These were acquired from ABS Commercial in North Carolina.

Over the last month, the owners have been preparing the steam piping and boiler for connection to public utilities. Utilities have been one of the time-consuming parts of the construction, but Astro Lab finally received approval of permits to dig in the right-of-way on Georgia Avenue and Ripley Street, for brewery-level water, gas and electric power upgrades.

The owners are hoping for a late August opening, so keep your fingers crossed. As you can see, they are still working hard on the facade of the building, as well.

Lina's Diner & Bar closed for summer break

Lina's Diner & Bar is taking the rest of this holiday week off for a summer break. The popular restaurant, located at 8402 Georgia Avenue, will reopen for dinner on Monday, July 9, 2018.