Corner Bubble, Fusion Academy coming to Rockville Town Center

Rockville Town Square has found a tenant for the briefly-vacant Ev and Maddy's space at 101-C Gibbs Street. Corner Bubble appears to be a bubble tea shop.

Meanwhile, up the road at 275 N. Washington Street, The JBG Companies have found a different type of tenant - a school. Fusion Academy will be a private school offering one-to-one teacher-student learning for middle school and high school students.

With one teacher and one student per classroom, Fusion Academy is designed for children who are not being served well by traditional class sizes. These include gifted students, and those interested in pursuing acting or athletics.

Fusion will hire 15-20 teachers at first, and could have as many as 35 staff members once the school is at full capacity. They will also offer customized schedules tailored to each student's needs. Homework is done at the Homework Cafe at school.

Allison Mapes, who will be the Head of School, is originally from Virginia. “I’m eager to return to the area and to connect with students and parents in a way that fosters true educational, emotional and social growth,” Mapes said in a statement Monday. “Having taught in many private and public school settings, I’m impressed by Fusion’s ability to connect directly with each student, making them feel valued and treasured, which is what we strive to remind them of every day.”

Fusion has schools in Alexandria, Washington, D.C. and Tysons. Fully accredited, the first location was founded 27 years ago in San Diego. The school will share JBG's recently-constructed mixed-use building with Kung Fu Tea and Lavande Patisserie.

Rocklands Barbeque & Grilling Company closes in Rockville (Photos)

Rocklands Barbeque & Grilling Company has closed at Wintergreen Plaza in Rockville. The owner says they lost their lease. Barbecue fans won't have to go far in search of food, however. Mission BBQ recently opened in the same shopping center. The closest Rocklands location to Rockville is probably the one at 2418 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., in the District.

Another office project to go residential in Rockville (Photos)

Project site at the northeast corner
of W. Montgomery Avenue and
West Gude Drive

More potential high-wage jobs are about to disappear in Rockville. A site at the corner of W. Montgomery Avenue and West Gude Drive once planned to hold office space and research facilities will trade conference rooms for bedrooms, should a revised mixed-use project receive approval. Applicant J2 Holdings, LLC is asking to replace the already-approved 3 office/R&D buildings with 2 buildings, holding 459 residential units and 10,053 SF of retail space.

J2 Holdings is also requesting a 75' building height, 10' more than is allowed under the current zoning. 620 parking spaces are planned. The property and currently-approved office use were part of the Fallsgrove Concept Plan.

The site is currently a
wooded area along Route 28

Montgomery County's moribund private-sector economy, and hostile-to-business reputation, have led to a high number of office vacancies. With residential development more profitable than office, many developers have seized on the opportunity to shoehorn more residential into office zones. Critics note that the resulting loss of jobs increases driving and auto emissions, as residents of bedroom community Montgomery County are forced to commute to job centers elsewhere in the region.

After a Development Review Committee meeting on May 11, the project will go to the Planning Commission for review.

Proposed senior housing project at old Rockville IBM site morphs into mixed-use project

Last year, a 175-unit senior housing apartment building was proposed for 50 Monroe Place, the former IBM site in Rockville Town Center. Now a new, mixed-use project is being proposed for the same address.

The new project will consist of an unspecified number of "mixed-income" rental apartments, including some for those with special needs, and retail and office space. Structured parking and landscaping will also be part of the project.

A public meeting to introduce the project will be held on Tuesday, April 25, at 7:00 PM, at the Rockville Memorial Library, in the 1st Floor meeting room.

Rockville construction update: Brightview Senior Living West End (Photos)

One of the major pieces of Rockville Town Center Phase 2 is the Brightview Senior Living West End project. Developer Shelter Group has planned the residential building to both offer internal activities, as well as the advantages of Rockville Town Square and other restaurants and retail within walking distance.

The project is scheduled to deliver this summer. For right now, a leasing office is open at 401 N. Washington Street, in Suite 100.

Montgomery County wants to increase your Rain Tax by 9.7%

Your rain tax may be about to increase. Bigly. Montgomery County continues to have an annual Water Quality Protection Charge, determined by the "total impervious area for each property." After the County's original, illegal rain tax was struck down by the courts in 2015, the Montgomery County political cartel simply figured out a legal workaround, and brought it back again.

County Executive Ike Leggett is recommending a whopping 9.7% increase in the Rain Tax, er, "Water Quality Protection Charge," for FY-2018. The County has already determined the amount of impervious surface on your property to determine your charge, by looking at an aerial photo. Very scientific.

You'll also pay higher property taxes this year, as rising assessments create an automatic tax increase even when the tax rate doesn't change. And the County Council gets another salary increase, just like Bell, California. The difference is, Bell's Council is in prison, and ours is still free and on-the-take.

Throw the bums out. Or #LockThemUp.

Mavana Nails opens in Rockville

Mavana Nails & Waxing is now open at Rockville Town Square. The spa took over the former Acqua Nails space at 100-H Gibbs Street. To make an appointment, call 301-424-0009.