Rockville apartment building wins Jack Kemp Award for Excellence

Rockville's newest apartment building has won the 2024 Jack Kemp Award for Excellence in Affordable and Workforce Housing from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Terwilliger Center for Housing. The honor, which recognizes "exemplary developments that demonstrate creativity in expanding housing opportunities" for mixed-income residents, was presented to The Laureate at 8005 Gramercy Boulevard during ULI's Fall Meeting in Las Vegas. The Laureate was jointly developed by Bethesda-based EYA, Bozzuto, and the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County.

The Laureate was the first development to utilize Montgomery County's new Housing Production Fund as a source of financing. This is the third Jack Kemp Award won by EYA. The award is named for former Republican congressman and U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Jack Kemp, and was established in 2008. As HUD secretary during the administration of President George H.W. Bush, Kemp sought to increase rent subsidies for low-income Americans, as well as to expand opportunities for home ownership among residents of public housing. He also believed in public-private partnerships in furthering these and other economic goals.

Jack Kemp

"EYA is committed to creating mixed-income housing through innovative public-private partnerships," EYA President and CEO McLean Quinn said in a statement. "The Laureate is an example of how builders can partner with public agencies to address the affordable housing shortage across the country and we are incredibly proud of the design, amenities, and lifestyle our partnership has infused into The Laureate. Innovation, commitment to quality affordable housing and good partnership won this award."

The Laureate is the latest addition to the Westside at Shady Grove development. 25% of its 268 units are designated as moderately priced dwelling units (MPDUs) for residents earning 50% of the area median income (AMI), and an additional 5% are designated as workforce units for residents earning 65% AMI. The developers designed these units to be indistinguishable from the market rate units, incorporating the same high-quality features and finishes as the more-expensive apartments, and designated all 3-bedroom units to be income-restricted. Former Rockville Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton had pressed developers to provide affordable 3-bedroom units for families during her time in office.

Photos 1, 2 & 4 courtesy Bozzuto

Q opening soon at Montgomery Mall

Q is opening soon at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Merchandise is already on the racks, and signage is up inside and outside of the store. It appears to be a women's apparel boutique. Look for Q on Level 1 of the mall, right outside of Macy's.

Fairfax County beats Montgomery County again, winning CMC Electronics facility

Montgomery County has suffered another loss to Northern Virginia in the competition to win a new research and development facility from CMC Electronics. The avionics manufacturer chose Reston, Virginia for its new office and R&D facility, which will bring 89 high-wage jobs to Fairfax County at the start, with more to be added in the future. Virginia Delegate Karen Keys-Gamarra confirmed that the finalists in the race were Virginia, Maryland, Alabama, and Florida. On a positive note, at least Maryland was engaged in this contest - and in the running until the end - rather than being asleep at the switch.

It's hard not to notice the proximity of CMC's future facility site in Reston to Dulles International Airport. Dulles is the only airport in our region with the flight frequency and international destinations that meet the demands of international businesspeople. Montgomery County and Maryland continue to cut off their ideological nose to spite their economic development face, by blocking construction of a new Potomac River crossing from the I-270 corridor to Dulles.

Pierre Rossignol, President, CMC Electronics

"We are thrilled to be joining the vibrant Reston community and are excited about the opportunities this expansion brings—for our team, our partners, and our customers," CMC Electronics President Pierre Rossignol said in a statement. "We look forward to continuing our mission of pushing the boundaries of avionics excellence." The Montreal-based firm has an existing American facility in Sugar Grove, Illinois. CMC stands for Canadian Marconi Company; the company's founder was someone you might have heard of:  Guglielmo Marconi. The brilliant Italian inventor founded the firm in 1903.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin

“CMC Electronics' decision to invest $5 million and establish its new facilities in Fairfax County underscores Virginia's position as a leader in aerospace innovation,” Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin said in a statement from his office. “This creation of new high-tech jobs demonstrates the strength of our Commonwealth's talent pipeline and our commitment to fostering cutting-edge industries. Virginia's pro-business climate and strategic location continue to attract global companies like CMC Electronics, further solidifying our role in shaping the future of aviation technology.”

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay

“I am thrilled that CMC Electronics has chosen Reston as the location for their U.S. expansion and continued global growth,” Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay said. “CMC Electronics choosing Fairfax County is yet another testament to how business-friendly policies, a robust talent pipeline that supports innovation, and our unmatched quality of life is a winning combination for maintaining our status as the premiere destination for starting, locating, and growing your business.” 

Progress on Rockville Town Center road diet (Photos)

The road diet strategy in Rockville Town Center continues to be implemented. Beall Avenue is now getting the treatment alongside Rockville Town Square, between MD 355 and N. Washington Street. In addition to reconfiguring the uses and capacity of the street, as was done on E. Middle Lane and N. Washington, flowery artwork is also being applied to the roadway. The City of Rockville received a Bloomberg Philanthropies Asphalt Art grant for this artwork in 2023, "to draw attention to Town Center and highlight the multimodal facilities."

Armed robbery at Rockville home

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery at a home in Rockville on October 31, 2024. The robbery was reported in the yard of a home in the 11900 block of Rocking Horse Road last Thursday at 12:20 PM. A firearm was the weapon employed in the robbery.

Unnecessary roughness as Rockville youth football game ends with assault

Football turned into a footbrawl in the King Farm area of Rockville on October 26, 2024, Rockville City police report. A youth football game was played in the 1800 block of Piccard Drive that afternoon. Near the end of the game at 3:00 PM, police say, a player on one team allegedly assaulted a 12-year-old boy on the opposing team. As this was a juvenile incident, no further information is likely to be released.

Sexual assault in Rockville apartment corridor

Rockville City police responded to a report of a sexual assault at an apartment complex on October 14, 2024. A resident of an apartment building in the 500 block of Hungerford Drive was moving items down a hallway at 9:05 AM, police say, when an unknown suspect suddenly groped her. The victim yelled, and the suspect ran away. Police have not provided a description of the suspect as of this writing.