Signage installed at Main Street Apartments in Rockville

Permanent signage has been installed on the facade of the new Main Street Apartments at 50 Monroe Place in Rockville Town Center. The colorful logo reflects the welcoming nature of the housing development, where 25% of the apartments have been set aside for adults with disabilities, and 75% of the overall units are reserved for low-income residents at below-market rates. There are 70 units in the complex, which replaces the historic IBM office building.

Rockville construction update: Main Street Apartments (Photos)

The Main Street Apartments project is rounding into a nearly-finished shape at 50 Monroe Place. This was formerly the location of the IBM building. The project was scheduled for a July 2020 delivery, so let's see what happens in the coming weeks.

Rockville construction update: Duball Rockville Town Center Phase II (Photos)

Duball LLC's Rockville Town Center Phase II is anticipated to deliver in mid-2021 across from Phase I, which included a Cambria Suites hotel, The Upton luxury apartments, and several shops and restaurants. Phase II will add 20,000 SF more of retail and dining space, beneath 400 apartments. 250 apartments will be market rate, and the other 150 will be affordable housing for seniors.

Car stolen in Rockville Town Center

A car was stolen in Rockville Town Center on April 15. According to crime data, the car was parked on the street on Courthouse Square when it was reported stolen around 8:11 PM that evening.

Rockville construction update: Main Street Apartments (Photos)

Let's take a look at the latest progress at the construction site of the future Main Street Apartments in Rockville Town Center. There has been a lot since my last report. This is where the famous IBM office building used to be. According to a sign on the building, the project will deliver in July, so they have certainly avoided any construction delays so far.

Mayor & Council to consider $50K grant to retain Rockville accounting firm

Rockville's Mayor and Council will consider approving a $50,000 financial grant to an accounting firm, in order to keep their headquarters in Rockville Town Center. Aronson, LLC is currently headquartered at 111 Rockville Pike. The firm currently employs 206 people with an average salary of $87502.

If the firm can stay put, it is promising to add around 40 new full-time positions over the next five years. Aronson is also in the process of obtaining grants from the state of Maryland and Montgomery County.

City staff argue that retaining Aronson is important due to the expected relocation of several County government departments to a new County office building in Wheaton this summer. To that end, one of the conditions of the City grant will be that Aronson agree not to add an in-house cafeteria for at least five years, so that employees will continue to patronize Town Center-area restaurants at lunchtime.

The Mayor & Council already set aside $50,000 in incentives for Aronson in its FY-2020 budget. Tonight, at their 7:00 PM meeting at City Hall, they will consider giving final approval to city staff to execute the incentive agreement.

Two tower cranes erected in Rockville Town Center

There are now two tower cranes in Rockville Town Center. Here are some views from Duball, LLC's Phase II of their Rockville Town Center development. Located off E. Middle Lane on what was the last remaining surface parking lot in front of the Regal Cinemas Rockville, the site will be home to a 400-unit apartment building, with 150 of those to be set aside for senior housing operated by development partner Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission. The building will also include 20000 SF of ground floor retail/restaurant space.

Rockville construction update: Main Street Apartments (Photos)

The Main Street Apartments are about three stories above 50 Monroe Place in Rockville. This used to be the IBM building downtown.