Construction update: Pandora Seafood House and Bar

We still can't see the construction progress inside Pandora Seafood House, but another permit has appeared. This is a public improvement permit. Pandora already requested a liquor license, and their hearing is scheduled for August 17. Pandora will be located at 36-A Maryland Avenue, at Rockville Town Square.

MoCo has the Lockheed HQ, but didn't try to get the Lockheed "factory of the future"

"We don't need the Lockheed headquarters," Montgomery County Councilmember Nancy Floreen infamously declared at the Aspen Hill Library in 2010. Such a blase attitude about one of only 3 Fortune 500 headquarters in the County is indicative of why our private sector economy has been moribund for so many years. MoCo intentionally passed on the FBI headquarters; didn't even bother to pursue the idX factory that wound up going to Fredericksburg; and was soundly defeated by Virginia in the contests to woo the headquarters of Volkswagen, Hilton Hotels, Intelsat, Corporate Executive Board, and Lidl, to name just a few. As a result, we've suffered a net loss in jobs over the last decade.

Yesterday, we found out just how blase County officials' attitude toward Lockheed Martin was. While current elected officials inherited the Lockheed headquarters in Bethesda, they apparently have no ongoing dialogue or partnership with the defense and aerospace megafirm. In fact, they've even tried their best to push Lockheed out of the County. As a result, Lockheed is now building a $350 million, 266000 SF "satellite factory of the future" in Waterton Canyon, Colorado, not Montgomery County.

We have many, many vacant properties that could have easily accommodated this factory. Even the recently sold Comsat Building in Clarksburg and former IBM property in Gaithersburg could have been a good fit in terms of size. Montgomery County continues to have the potential aerospace advantages of being near Goddard Flight Center, the Wallops Island launch facility, and numerous airbases as well as the Pentagon - but has yet to take advantage of the advantages!

This is exactly the type of facility I've been arguing we need - aerospace corporate offices, research facilities and high-tech aerospace and defense manufacturing. Why were we not in the running for this factory, or even engaging Lockheed about how we could partner on future ventures? This was clearly in the planning stages early enough that we could have filled the Comsat or IBM site before they were sold. That could have put hundreds of high-wage jobs in the I-270 corridor, and enable Montgomery County residents to drive west or north to work, without leaving the County. Instead, the Comsat site will be residential, and dump hundreds more cars going south on 270 every morning.

Montgomery County is notorious across the country, and across the region, for its anti-business climate fostered by the County Council. In contrast, "State and local officials in Colorado have helped strengthen the aerospace industry and foster an environment that helps aerospace companies thrive and grow," according to a statement from Lockheed Wednesday. What a contrast. What a loss.

It takes a special kind of incompetence to get shut out by a company located in your own jurisdiction. A special kind of ignoramus, to not grab the lowest-hanging economic development fruit in the area you are elected to represent. It's "business"-as-usual for moribund Montgomery County.

First look: Gringos & Mariachis nears opening at Park Potomac (Photos)

The second location of Gringos & Mariachis at Park Potomac is nearing the finish line. This one has the benefit of a custom-designed exterior, and an outdoor bar/counter similar to the one at Owen's Ordinary at Pike & Rose. There's no official opening date yet, but the owners say "the wait is almost over." Here's a sneak peek:

Starbucks to get renovation at Rockville Town Square

The Starbucks at Rockville Town Square is going to get a renovation. Starbucks will operate a "temporary cafe" during the renovations, which will include extensive kitchen and plumbing upgrades. Permits have been issued by the City of Rockville for the work.

New drug treatment facility proposed to replace current one at Avery Rd. in Rockville

Montgomery County is proposing to demolish the existing drug treatment facility at 14703 Avery Road, and replace it with a new, 3-story, 64-bed treatment center, and a second 16-bed cottage. The new facility would be able to hold 20 more patients than the current one.

A public meeting regarding the proposal will be held on Thursday, August 24, 2017 at 7:00 PM, in the cafeteria of the current facility at 14703 Avery Road. The proposal will then be filed with the City of Rockville. Rockville's Planning Commission is expected to take up the project at its September 27, 2017 meeting, at City Hall at 7:00 PM.

Rendering courtesy Montgomery County

Lab Cafe soft opens in Rockville, grand opening August 6-8 (Photos + menu)

Lab Cafe, a new bubble tea cafe at Rockville Town Square, was open yesterday. The official grand opening is scheduled for this coming weekend, August 6-8, 2017. Every 50th person will get a free drink during the grand opening, you'll be able to get a free "size up" on all drinks, and there will be free samples of food and beverages.

Menu (click to enlarge)

The menu includes bubble tea, milk tea, fresh fruit teas, coffee and espresso, tea "slushes," popcorn chicken, and ice cream egg waffles. Lab Cafe is located at 101-C Gibbs Street, and will be open from 12 noon until 11:00 PM, according to the posted hours.

Pandora Seafood House and Bar requests liquor license

What's going on inside the future Pandora Seafood House and Bar at Rockville Town Square? It's been months since I first heard the sounds of construction inside the former American Tap Room space. The restaurant had been expected to open by now, but there still isn't even a sign installed out front.

Now there's one sign of activity - the restaurant has filed for a Montgomery County liquor license. Their hearing is scheduled for August 17, so they probably won't be opening before then.