MoCo Council quietly using loot from recordation tax hike for Silver Spring Transit Center debacle

When the Montgomery County Council raised taxes to an all-time record level last May, the heist included a hike in the recordation tax residents pay when selling their homes. This increase was broadly sold as a "school construction funding" mechanism. And a hike in the Recordation Tax Premium was ostensibly to provide funds for County capital projects, and $40-50 million for affordable housing and rent assistance, according to then-Council President Nancy Floreen.

Instead, the County Council now plans to spend at least $4,210,000 of the Recordation Tax Premium on legal fees for the infamous Silver Spring Transit Center debacle. You know, the overblown garage that took nine years to construct, and still wasn't built right?

When running for reelection in 2014, the Council repeatedly insisted that taxpayers would not be on the hook for any more SSTC-related money, beyond the massive $47,000,000 over-budget spending by that point. They immediately broke that promise only a month after election day, by appropriating another whopping $21 million for a slapdash patching of serious structural weaknesses in the transit center. Those fixes were only effective in the minds of the Council, as the building itself lacks the slip joints needed to handle the loads of buses. By the time these weaknesses become fatal flaws, of course, the current Council will be out of office.

But not before ripping off taxpayers again this year.

Instead of spending on needed transportation and facility projects which have been postponed, money is being taken from this specific funding source for the transit center legal costs.

The County is unlikely to win this lawsuit, primarily because neither the executive branch nor the County Council with oversight authority took action when flaws were first discovered. Only after the structure was essentially complete in 2012 (it would not open until 2015) did the County begin to press contractors about the flaws. And it remains to be determined if the County's contracts even allow for recovery of legal fees, including this new $4.2 million.

After witnessing the Council's approval of an illegal use of funds by the Parks Department, and a $900,000 cost overrun for a Bethesda drainpipe that puts the Pentagon's $640 toilet seat to shame, you may want to follow this latest (ab)use of your money by the County Council.

The Council will hear public testimony on the proposed appropriation on February 7, at 1:30 PM at the Council Office Building, at 100 Maryland Avenue in Rockville.

Ourisman Chevrolet opens at Wintergreen Plaza

Ourisman Chevrolet has opened its new dealership at Wintergreen Plaza on Rockville Pike. Their existing dealership at MD 355 and Gude Drive is currently available for lease, but as of last night, continues to hold vehicle inventory, Ourisman signage and - of course - its famous giant American flag.

New parking garage opens at Montgomery College (Photos)

The Rockville campus of Montgomery College is celebrating the grand opening of a new parking garage, just in time for the new Spring semester. Located by the Physical Education building along North Campus Drive, the garage holds 918 parking spaces, and electric car charging stalls.

For safety purposes, it is equipped with a whopping 59 security cameras, and two emergency phones on each level. It will also be patrolled by campus security officers.

One high tech touch is a digital readout of how many spaces are available on each of the 7 floors of the garage.

“The garage will help alleviate challenges with parking on campus, and that’s a big deal," said Dr. Mark Carmody, director of facilities for the campus. "We want to make it easy for students to get to class on time and to be ready to learn,” he added.

CSNY PIzza lighted sign installed in Rockville (Photos)

CSNY Pizza, a new venture from the duo behind CS Pizza, has installed its permanent lighted sign. The pizzeria is promising authentic New York-style pizza, and is scheduled to open in March at 1020-1066 Rockville Pike.

First look: Little Dipper Hot Pot House in Rockville (Photos)

Little Dipper Hot Pot House is undergoing final Montgomery County inspections, and is on target for an early February opening in Rockville Town Square. It will be in the former Noodles and Company space at 101 Gibbs Street. As you can see in the bottom photo, they are hiring for all positions.

Former Houston's/Chef Geoff's Rockville restaurant space split in half; pediatric urgent care to be tenant (Photos)

Unable to find a large restaurant tenant for the space formerly-occupied by Chef Geoff's at 12256 Rockville Pike, Towne Plaza has divided it into two retail spaces. The first tenant to take over half will be PM Pediatric Urgent Care. Construction has begun on the interior of the future clinic, and the second half of the space remains available for-lease.

Longtime residents will recognize this as the end of an era in South Rockville dining. Before it was Chef Geoff's, the space belonged to Houston's, which - while a chain - was considered by the less-pretentious to be one of the top restaurants in Rockville and Montgomery County. Only its Bethesda location remains, under the name Woodmont Grill.

New tobacco/cigar shop coming to Ritchie Center in Rockville (Photos)

A new tenant is moving into the Ritchie Center on Rockville Pike. There is no sign up yet, but the boxed merchandise inside is all tobacco-related - cigars and hookah. And there is a cigar brand sign installed in the front window. Stay tuned.