Tom Moore not running for reelection to Rockville City Council

Rockville Councilmember Tom Moore has made his election decision - he won't be running again this November for the City Council. Moore made the announcement in an email to supporters Friday.

He cited the time public service has taken away from his family as the major factor in his decision, writing that "my family has paid a high price while I have campaigned and governed virtually nonstop over the past six years, and it is time for me to turn my attentions homeward."

Moore's announcement also cited his accomplishments on the council, including preserving Fireside Park Apartments as affordable housing, tougher ethics rules, limiting retention of citizen data by Rockville Police license plate readers, and his successful effort to weaken the city's school overcrowding rules over vehement, well-organized resident opposition. The latter victory has opened the entire city to new development proposals, as no schools are deemed over-capacity under the new rules.

While Moore did not divulge any future political plans, he did hint that he will be throwing his support behind some of the candidates running for council seats this fall. Moore ran an unsuccessful campaign for the District 3 seat on the Montgomery County Council in 2014, losing to Gaithersburg Mayor Sid Katz.

Moore's decision ensures there will be at least one new face on the council in the next term.

Developers acquiring Rockville office buildings with redevelopment plan in mind (Photo)

Bethesda-based real estate firms 1788 Holdings and Lantian Development have announced they are acquiring several Class B office buildings off of Shady Grove Road in Rockville. The site is about a mile from the Shady Grove Metro station, and adjacent to JBG's Upper Rock redevelopment projects. It is also across Shady Grove Road from the 270 Center shopping center.

These acquisitions are intended as a long-term investment for the partners, they say. The plan is to position the properties for both a short-term and long-term return. Five office buildings: 2092 Gaither Road; 2094 Gaither Road; 2096 Gaither Road; 2098 Gaither Road and 15825 Shady Grove Road, will be renovated and upgraded to attract new office tenants.

Eventually, two office buildings at 2 Choke Cherry Road and 4 Choke Cherry Road will be demolished. In their place, a mixed-use project will rise with ground-level retail, and residential units and hotel rooms above. Anchored by a yet-to-be-named grocery store, the development's name, branding and architectural design are scheduled to be unveiled in early 2016.

In a statement, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett said "the County is impressed with this plan." However, the County does not have planning jurisdiction over the properties - the City of Rockville Planning Commission will be the approving body.

The properties' seller was TA Associates.

Photo courtesy 1788 Holdings/Lantian Development

VisArts posts signage at former Cloud 9 space in Rockville Town Square (Photos)

VisArts has made its use of the former Cloud 9 boutique space at Rockville Town Square a bit more formal. While it has been making use of the space for several weeks, there is now VisArts signage on the storefront.

Win a guitar at The School of Music open house in Rockville this Sunday

The School of Music on Rockville Pike will be holding an open house this Sunday, August 16, 2015, from 1:00-5:00 PM. Every hour, there will be hands-on classes, where you can bring your own instrument, or use one of theirs.

You can also enter their raffle, to win a guitar of your choice from their collection. The winner will be announced the following day.

The School of Music

1331 Rockville Pike

301-340-1150

Entenmann's Bakery Outlet closes in Rockville (Photos)

One of Rockville's most unusual retail stores was the Entenmann's Bakery Outlet at 1327-A Rockville Pike. Alas, the maker of hard-to-resist Chocolate Frosted Donuts and Chocolate Chip cookies has closed this location.

The store has packed up and moved to Jessup, and the space is for lease.

Move by Ourisman Rockmont Chevrolet could be huge real estate story (Photos)

Future home of Ourisman Chevrolet
at Wintergreen Plaza

Ourisman Rockmont Chevrolet is indeed moving down Rockville Pike to Wintergreen Plaza. An employee of the dealership confirmed the plans, and said the move will likely occur after Labor Day 2016 - which sounds like a long time in the future, given that this isn't an apartment tower that's being built.

The new dealership, currently under construction, will also offer Chevrolet service. Based on the renderings of the future dealership, it will feature the latest Chevrolet facade design, which you may have seen elsewhere in the region. What it won't have, is the huge storage lot the existing Rockmont site has, meaning a lot of that Chevrolet inventory will have to be moved somewhere else.

The larger question, however, is the development potential of the current Ourisman Chevrolet site at MD 355 and Gude Drive. It is one of the largest auto dealerships on this side of the county, making the site a sure target for redevelopment.

Tea Dó Contemporary Tea House coming to Rockville (Photos)

Tea Dó, a "contemporary tea house", is taking over the Yocake space at 838-C Rockville Pike. Like its predecessor, Tea Dó will serve boba tea, a.k.a. bubble tea.

But they will also have many Japanese menu items, including edamame, gyoza (Japanese dumplings), seaweed and kani salads, onigiri, a wide variety of teas and mixed drinks, desserts, and Lacas brand coffee.