Showing posts with label Rockville. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rockville. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Rockville acquires 6 Taft Court property

The City of Rockville has completed its purchase of 6 Taft Court, a 2.29 acre property that includes a 64,995-square-foot, three-story building. It is located in the industrial area along Gude Drive, and will relieve overcrowding at the present location of the city’s maintenance and emergency operations, the city announced Tuesday.

Those functions are currently housed at the city's Gude Drive Maintenance Facility on Rothgeb Drive. However, that facility has grown too small for these expanding divisions. It was never meant to hold two different departments of government when constructed, and is not ADA-compliant.

The city plans to move snow removal, street maintenance, recycling and refuse, parks and facilities maintenance operations, as well as water, sewer and stormwater maintenance, and other public services to 6 Taft Court. Emergency operations, as well as some storage and maintenance functions, will remain at 14625 Rothgeb Drive. As a bonus, vehicular access exists between the two properties, which are adjacent.

Rockville paid $5.88 million for the property to seller M8 Property Group, LLC — $220,000 less than the appraised value. That's quite a contrast to Montgomery County, which often overpays landowners who contribute to elected officials' campaigns when acquiring property, and sells public land to developers at sweetheart low prices.

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Giant ends Senior Tuesdays discount

Senior Tuesdays usually find an increase in shoppers at local Giant stores. That was because of the 5% discount for seniors. About two weeks ago, however, some seniors discovered the popular promotion is ending.

While the 5% discount was honored that Tuesday, the shoppers were informed that they could sign up at the customer service desk for a new promotion where coupons would be mailed to them at home. I asked the corporate office at Giant, and they confirmed that the Senior Tuesday promotion is being axed.

Giant said they are introducing a new plan for seniors, a personalized monthly mailer with targeted coupons and nutrition advice. As store employees told shoppers two weeks ago, you can sign up for the mailings at the customer service desk using your Bonus Card and mailing address.

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Rockville shooting suspect still at large

Scene of Rockville shooting,
the 300 block of Martins Lane
A woman drove up to the Rockville Volunteer Fire Station No. 3 on Hungerford Drive just before 8:00 last night, and reported she had just been shot in the leg while driving a few blocks away. Rockville Police reported receiving calls minutes earlier regarding shots being fired in the 300 block of Martins Lane, where the victim was driving at the time.

The driver's side door of the victim's SUV, which was left in the driveway of the fire station, sported a coin-size hole. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer said the victim was transported Priority 1 to a local hospital. She is expected to recover.

No description of a suspect has been released so far, in what some public safety officials and media have described as a "drive by shooting." This was the second shooting in Montgomery County in 24 hours, following the early morning homicide in Damascus.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Vilardo next-door neighbor charged in Rockville double murder (Photo)

Montgomery County Police homicide detectives have reportedly found their man in the horrifying double murder of a Rockville couple. Police say it was the next-door neighbor of Richard and Julianne Vilardo who killed the couple over the Mother's Day weekend last week.

Detectives caught up to Scott Tomaszewski on a cruise ship in Juneau, Alaska on Saturday afternoon eastern time. They say they found evidence, including blood, allegedly tying Tomaszewski to the murders. Tomaszewski is also suspected of having robbed the Vilardos in the past, as well as in burglaries on the street all three call home, Ridge Drive, just last month.

In fact, police report that the Vilardos entrusted Tomaszweski as a house sitter, giving their longtime next-door neighbor access to their home while they traveled.

Tomaszewski has been charged with two counts of first degree murder, two counts of armed robbery, and one count of first degree burglary. Once the extradition process is completed in Alaska, Scott Tomaszewski will be transported to Montgomery County for arraignment.

The Vilardo family has released a statement thanking Montgomery County Police, saying their efforts  have helped them "take the first step on the long road to healing."

Photo courtesy Montgomery County Police

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

ROCKVILLE RETAINS AAA BOND RATING

Moody's and Standard and Poors have reaffirmed Rockville's AAA bond rating. The reaffirmation was related to Monday's sale of General Obligation Bonds by the city. In announcing their decision, both agencies cited the city's "conservative fiscal management, its strong policies and practices, the city's ample reserve levels, and its low debt burden," according to City Manager Barbara Matthews.

The rating means that financing for improvements to the city's Civic Center and the Rockville Swim Center will proceed as planned. Water, sewer and stormwater improvements will also be funded by the bond sale.

Raymond James & Associates had the winning bid Monday, offering a 2.69% interest rate.

The agencies did express concern about the city's water and sewer funds, Matthews said.

Friday, October 3, 2014

POLICE SEARCHING FOR INDECENT EXPOSURE SUSPECTS IN ROCKVILLE, DERWOOD (PHOTOS)

Montgomery County Police are asking for the public's help in locating two suspects wanted in indecent exposure incidents in Rockville and Derwood recently.

The first took place at Flagship car wash, at 2100 Chapman Avenue in Rockville, on September 4 at approximately 1:40 AM (what are people doing at a car wash at 1:40 AM, anyway?). A man exposed himself to 41-year-old woman, police allege, and fled the scene.

The suspect is described as a medium-skinned black male, between the ages of 50-60 years old, approximately 5’07″, 165 pounds, with short black hair and a mustache.  He was last seen wearing dark blue basketball shorts and a purple shirt with unknown writing on it.

A second indecent exposure was reported on August 28, at 3:18 PM, on a Ride On bus in the 8100 block of Needwood Road. The suspect fled southbound on Redland Road, seemingly heading toward the Shady Grove Metro station, police say.

The suspect is described as a light-skinned black male, approximately 6’00″ tall, 245 pounds, with brown eyes, very short black hair, a black mustache and goatee with facial stubble.  He was last seen wearing black cargo shorts, black and white shoes, a gray shirt, black baseball cap, and was carrying a red and white backpack.

Anyone who recognizes either suspect, or who has further information, is asked to contact the 1st District Investigative Section at 240-773-6084.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

ROY ROGERS PLANS EARLY NOVEMBER OPENING IN ROCKVILLE (PHOTOS)

Whatever the holdup was in Roy Rogers' return to Rockville has been resolved. Coming Soon signage and permits are finally up at the 718 Rockville Pike location (longtime site of a Ford dealership, across from Marlo Furniture) of the first Roy Rogers restaurant Rockville has had in decades. The restaurant is currently hiring staff, and expects to open the first week in November.




Thursday, September 25, 2014

275 N. WASHINGTON STREET CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

A lot of progress has taken place at The JBG Companies' 275 N. Washington Street project in Rockville. One of the first Town Center Phase II developments, the building will include 28,000 SF of retail and restaurant space. A battle over how much parking the development would include was resolved by the Rockville Planning Commission recently. One part of the structure has a very traditional brick facade, which contrasts with the glass facade of the rest.







Wednesday, September 24, 2014

ROCKVILLE HOCKEY COACH GETS 14 MONTHS IN SLAMMER

Barry Fig, a Rockville resident and hockey coach, pled guilty to theft and drug charges yesterday in Montgomery County Circuit Court. Fig, 36, was sentenced to 14 months behind bars for crimes that included stealing wallets at local ice rinks, including Wheaton Ice Arena. The cause of Fig's downfall was his addiction to the prescription drug Adderall, according to ABC 7's Kevin Lewis.

Monday, September 22, 2014

METRO TESTS NEW 7000-SERIES RAILCARS IN ROCKVILLE (PHOTOS)

WMATA is finally on something of a timetable to restore automatic train control to its subway system, and the Red Line will be the first route to have it, the Washington Post reported on Sunday. In October, some Red Line trains will begin operating automatically, and all trains will do so by next March, according to the Post report. That long-overdue positive sign wasn't the only big Red Line news this past weekend. Metro tested new 7000-series railcars on the Red Line Saturday and Sunday, between the Twinbrook and Shady Grove Metro stations.

I caught one in action at the Rockville station on Sunday. The train was not accepting passengers during the test run. The 7000-series are manufactured by Kawasaki.

We simply must improve the service and reliability of Metro, if we are to even begin to manage future growth in places like downtown Bethesda, White Flint, Silver Spring and Rockville. Scarce transportation dollars need to go to the projects where they impact the most people, such as 8-car trains for Metro, more capacity on the Red Line (especially north of Grosvenor), and a new Potomac River crossing to relieve congestion on the Beltway and I-270.


Thursday, September 18, 2014

POLICE SEEK MISSING ROCKVILLE MAN (PHOTO)

Montgomery County Police are seeking the public's help in locating a missing Rockville resident who was last seen on Hampden Lane in Bethesda yesterday.

Police say they are concerned about the emotional and physical welfare of Jelani Kito Perry, 34, of the 800 block of Grand Champion Drive in Rockville. Perry is described by police as a black male, 6’ 1”, and 190 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes and a cross tattoo on his upper arm.  He was last seen wearing a blue and white checkered button-down shirt, blue jeans, and navy blue sneakers with white trim.

Authorities did not indicate the exact time at which Perry was believed to be in the Hampden Lane area yesterday.

Anyone with any information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact the Montgomery County Police at 301-279-8000 (24 hour line).

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

ASSAULT ON LONGWOOD DR. + MORE - NIGHTSWATCH: ROCKVILLE CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Rockville on September 13, according to crime data:

Assault. Longwood Drive at Pinewood Road.

Theft from vehicle. 400 block North Horners Lane.

Theft. 500 block Hungerford Drive.

Theft. MD 355 and Redland Boulevard.

Theft. 300 block Ridgemont Avenue.

Theft. 800 block Pleasant Drive.

Theft. 1200 block Rockville Pike.

Friday, September 12, 2014

KING FARM FARMSTEAD, BARN DEMOLITIONS ON ROCKVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION AGENDA

King Farm is the biggest item on the September 18 agenda for the Rockville Historic District Commission. Commissioners will receive an update on the status of the historic King Farm farmstead, and a briefing on a Certificate of Approval for demolition of the horse barn and silo connectors at the site.

The meeting will be at 7:30 PM in the Mayor and Council chambers at City Hall, and broadcast live on Channel 11.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

ROCKVILLE ROY ROGERS HIRING MANAGER (PHOTO)

Finally, we're seeing activity towards the opening of a Roy Rogers restaurant in Rockville. The Frederick-based fast food chain seems to be hiring a manager for its future Rockville location, which - although not yet publicly identified - is believed to be in the vacant retail structure on the former Century Ford site on Rockville Pike (across from Marlo Furniture). The delayed return to Rockville has tried the patience of ranch hands across lower Montgomery County for about a year.

Roy Rogers' ad has now been deleted (hopefully because it was filled, and not because of another delay), but I captured the Craigslist screen image above.

Friday, August 29, 2014

ROCKVILLE CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: THE UPTON APARTMENTS, CAMBRIA SUITES HOTEL (PHOTOS)

The Duball project is really making progress since my last update. A hybrid of a luxury apartment building (The Upton) and a hotel (Cambria Suites), the building is much more in line with Rockville Town Square than the hodgepodge of projects planned for Town Center Phase II north of there.
Rockville Town Center

The view along Regal Row

Lots of glass is in place

Catch the T2 to Bethesda,
Potomac and
Friendship Heights here

View toward the Regal Cinemas
from E. Middle Lane

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

STOLEN CAR, 3 ASSAULTS + MORE - NIGHTSWATCH: ROCKVILLE CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Rockville on August 24, according to crime data:

Stolen car. 800 block N. Stonestreet Avenue.

Assault. 200 block Rockville Pike.

Assault. 600 block Northcliffe Drive.

Assault. 1300 block Baltimore Road.

Theft. 1100 block Higgins Place.

Theft. 1700 block Rockville Pike.

Theft. 100 block Adclare Road.

Theft. Unit block of Blue Hosta Way.

Monday, August 25, 2014

WHAT'S HOT RIGHT NOW - CITIES OR SUBURBIA? THE ANSWER MAY SURPRISE YOU

Should Rockville urbanize, or remain a suburban area with a vibrant commercial strip along Rockville Pike? There are dangers in chasing the latest trends, when making major planning and development decisions. While we're told White Flint urbanism-on-steroids is the future, it turns out the rumors of the suburban apocalypse were greatly exaggerated. Just two months after data showed more people again moving to the suburbs than to urban cities, sales of condos are being outpaced by single-family homes.

According to the National Association of Realtors, condo sales were flat last month, unchanged from the previous month. During the same period, single-family home sales rose by 2.7%, USA Today reported Friday. Southern and western states recorded the highest number of home sales, while the northeast had no growth over the previous month.

Apparently many Americans are still fond of trees, lawns and backyard barbecues.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

PETER CHANG RESTAURANT TO OPEN AT ROCKVILLE TOWN SQUARE

Federal Realty has landed a big name in Chinese cuisine at its Rockville Town Square development. Peter Chang will return to the DC area, opening an eponymous new Chinese concept in Rockville's town center. While Federal Realty did not announce the restaurant's location, it appears Chang won't be taking over one of the obvious vacant spaces. Chang's business partner, Gen Lee, told the Washington Post's Tim Carman that the new restaurant will replace Taste of Saigon.

While the restaurant will be only 3100 square feet in size, Chang's Duck in Stone Pot and Grandma's Steamed Pork Belly will be among his legendary dishes to make the Rockville menu. Peter Chang will be open late, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM, according to a Federal Realty press release.

While Rockville Town Square is still having some struggles - several tenants (e.g. Cosi) have vacated in recent months - the overall trend has been Federal Realty better matching its mix of tenants to Rockville's demographics. That includes better catering to the burgeoning Asian population in the city (although if Taste of Saigon is really moving out, there won't be a net gain in that department).

Stay tuned for more information as it comes in.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

ROCKVILLE GAS STATION ROBBER GETS 12 YEARS IN SLAMMER

A Germantown man who robbed several gas stations and stores in Rockville and the Aspen Hill area was sentenced to 12 years in prison Monday. Duane James, 53, pled guilty to a spree of 7 robberies in  Rockville and Silver Spring, according to U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein. In each case, James wore a ski mask.

Among the businesses victimized by James were the Rockville Shell station, Twinbrook Shell gas station, and Bel Pre Beer and Wine. James also bagged $10,000-worth of jewelry from The Gold Spot store.

James was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow, and federal prosecutors received assistance from the ATF and Montgomery County Police in the case.

Photo: Montgomery County Police

Monday, August 18, 2014

HERR'S OLD BAY CHEESE CURLS REVIEW (VIDEO)

Old Bay Seasoning is an essential for Maryland natives, as well as newcomers. The only question today, is what food can you not find it being added to around our great state? Herr's Foods of Pennsylvania has been one of the most prolific creators of Old Bay-licensed snacks in recent times. If you're a cheese puff fan like me, you'll probably want to start with their Herr's Old Bay Seasoned Cheese Curls. Herr's and Bachman have arguably the best cheese curls on the market, so expectations are high for this product.

How does the flavor combination turn out? Watch my review and find out!