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

Thursday, July 29, 2021

Rockville construction update: Ansel Apartments (Photos)


Here's the latest look at the progress on the Ansel Apartments across from Regal Row in Rockville Town Center. Developed by Duball, LLC, the building will be managed by Bozzuto. Delivery is scheduled for this fall. I've heard that the leasing office may open as soon as next week.









Thursday, July 8, 2021

Underground utility work on E. Middle Lane in Rockville (Photos)


A utility crew was working under the street on E. Middle Lane in Rockville Town Center late last night. The work took place near the driveway entrance to the Choice Hotels headquarters garage. A new apartment building is under construction on that block. At least one City of Rockville vehicle was on-site.





Friday, June 18, 2021

Panera Bread reopens in Rockville Town Center


Earlier this month, I reported that Panera Bread would be reopening after a long pandemic closure at 219 E. Middle Lane in Rockville Town Center. The store has now officially opened for business again. Among the items on the summer menu are Summer Corn Chowder, a Chipotle Chicken and Bacon flatbread pizza, and frozen strawberry lemonade.

Monday, June 7, 2021

Panera Bread to reopen in Rockville


It was surprising when Panera Bread closed during the pandemic at 219 E. Middle Lane in Rockville Town Center. While office workers and courthouse-related traffic were greatly reduced in number, Panera is well suited to thrive on takeout orders. Instead, the location closed. Now I've learned that this Panera Bread will reopen soon, and is hiring for all positions.

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Rockville to look at comprehensive rebranding in effort to boost struggling Town Center


Rockville's Mayor and Council voted unanimously last night to pursue a comprehensive rebranding for the city, rather than focus only on developing new branding for the struggling Rockville Town Center area. After a discussion on three possible rebranding strategies, Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton expressed concern that no decisive action would be taken last night. She said many stakeholders were watching the meeting, and were expecting officials to take some substantive action to move the Town Center effort forward.

Councilmember Beryl Feinberg suggested waiting a week until the Mayor and Council take up other spending issues for the next fiscal year. Ultimately, Councilmember Mark Pierzchala made a motion to adopt both the first and third proposals - "communitywide rebranding," to replace the aging "Rockville: Get Into It" branding campaign, and "branding and promotion of Rockville's commercial districts," including but not just limited to Rockville Town Center.

After a friendly amendment by Councilmember Monique Ashton to clarify that an integrated marketing approach would link the two proposals, Pierzchala's motion passed unanimously. Following the vote, Feinberg urged her colleagues to remember that parking is the top complaint of Town Center patrons and businesses. Namely, it's not free, while competitors like Rio Lakefront, Downtown Crown and Pike & Rose offer free parking, free parking and 2 hours of free parking, respectively. 

Ashton also called for regular updates on what progress, if any, the city is making toward meeting the goals proposed by an Urban Land Institute Technical Assistance Panel to improve the economic health of Town Center. Several officials expressed concern about appropriating funds for a separate Town Center revival effort on last night's agenda - development of a broader economic development strategy for the Town Center area - until the market recovers from the current pandemic. Pierzchala noted, however, that the Town Center's struggles long predate the pandemic.

Friday, April 2, 2021

Rockville construction update: Ansel Apartments (Photos)


There's been a tremendous amount of progress on developer Duball, LLC's Ansel Apartments in front of the Regal Rockville cineplex in Rockville Town Center since my last update. A significant amount of glass has been installed on the lower floors. The building will offer an 18th floor clubroom with a bar and game area, a fitness center and yoga room, a 24-hour concierge, and - of particular note in the current global crisis - there will be semi-private work pods. Ansel appears to be on-schedule for its expected Fall 2021 delivery date.


















Thursday, March 25, 2021

Rockville Mayor & Council to discuss branding for Town Center area


Rockville's Mayor and Council will continue a multifaceted effort to address the economic woes of the Rockville Town Center area with a discussion of branding at their next regular meeting Monday, April 5, 2021. One question they will consider is whether to develop new branding for the entire city as a whole, or specifically for the Town Center area. 

A staff report on the matter notes that the city's current branding, "Get into it." is over a decade old, and has "run its course." But focusing on the Town Center, which is where the major problems are, would be cheaper. It would also allow for greater input from stakeholders, as there would be many fewer to engage than in a citywide effort.

Rockville's current branding, which some
argue "has run its course"

Whatever form the rebranding takes, it would be executed during FY-2022. That process would conclude with the Mayor and Council approving or rejecting the proposed rebranding. The cost to develop a rebranding proposal is estimated at $75,000 for Town Center rebranding, or $125,000 for citywide rebranding. Once approved, it would cost an estimated $80,000 per year to implement the rebranding on the City website, publications, letterhead, signage and more.

Images courtesy City of Rockville

Thursday, January 21, 2021

Rockville construction update: The Ansel apartments (Photos)


Here's a look at the latest progress at the Ansel apartments in Rockville Town Center, across from Regal Row. Expectations are high for the retail and restaurant space, given the outstanding tenants developer Duball, LLC signed to the sister property, The Upton/Cambria Suites (World of Beer, Panera Bread, etc.). The Ansel is scheduled for delivery this fall.