Pepco proposes microgrid for Rockville Town Center

Exelon infographic prepared for one of
its other utilities in Hartford, Connecticut

Pepco agreed to pilot microgrids as part of its merger agreement with Exelon. Tonight, the utility will officially propose creating a microgrid in Rockville Town Center. Two Pepco representatives will deliver a presentation on the proposal to the Mayor and Council at their meeting tonight at 7:00 PM.

A microgrid is a local power source that can operate even if disconnected from the larger Pepco grid. Solar batteries and natural gas could be utilized on whichever properties are ultimately selected to house the microgrid infrastructure. Potential properties will be discussed in tonight's presentation. No mention is made of the health impacts of a microgrid on nearby residents - if there are any.

Rockville Planning Commission to discuss master plan update vision for parks

Orange areas on the map are
homes that are further from
parks and recreation facilities
than planners and residents
would like

The Rockville Planning Commission will be briefed on, and discuss, the section of the 2040 Master Plan update on Parks and Recreation Facilities at their Thursday, November 9 meeting at City Hall at 7:00 PM. A draft of the plan sets out goals based on feedback from community listening sessions and previous discussions.

Among the goals are leveraging private sector capital, property and resources; continuing expansion of well-connected bike facilities; improving cooperation with Montgomery College, Montgomery County and Montgomery County Public Schools, which all have facilities in or near Rockville; ensuring City parks and facilities have distinctive branding; ensuring no net loss of square footage of parkland (something the Montgomery County Council failed to do in recent years); and ensuring that all homes within the City are a quarter-mile walk from at least one park or recreation facility.

Currently, 79% of Rockville homes are within the quarter-mile range. Underserved areas are primarily east of Rockville Pike, west of I-270, and in the town center. The latter could be very effectively addressed by a long-considered plan to bury the Pike in the town center area, and building a major park on top of it.

Kung Fu Tea to open new store in south Rockville

Kung Fu Tea continues to expand across Montgomery County at an increasing pace. Their latest destination is Pike & Rose. Their store will be located in the low-rise retail structure at the corner of Old Georgetown Road and Rockville Pike.

CremCafe closes in Rockville for renovations, new menu

CremCafe, an alternative to national chain coffee shops along Regal Row, has temporarily closed. Its menu will be updated with a Japanese crepes concept. The new restaurant will be called Amai Crepe, and is from the same ownership as CremCafe was. Their coffee menu is expected to remain the same when they reopen, following renovations.

JINYA Ramen Bar to open at Pike & Rose (Photos)

JINYA Ramen Bar is coming to Pike & Rose. The California-based ramen chain has two existing area locations in the Mosaic District and Logan Circle. Its third will be in the ground floor of the L.L. Bean building at 910 Prose Street at Pike & Rose. The restaurant will open next year, and has posted Coming Soon signage at its future space. L.L. Bean, opening November 10, has also installed its permanent exterior signage.

Xi'an Gourmet to open in Rockville

While plans for a renowned local chef to open a Chinese restaurant in a grocery space on N. Washington Street fell through, a new Chinese spot will open on the strip after all. Xi'an Gourmet has leased the old Fusion Supper Club building at 316 N. Washington. The space has been vacant for more than a year. Xi'an Gourmet will add the flavors of Northwestern China to the potpourri of Asian dining options in Rockville.

Rockville construction update: Brightview West End (Photos)

Here's an update on the other major project in Phase II of Rockville Town Center, the Brightview West End assisted living apartment building. Brightview is located at 285 N. Washington Street, and includes 195 units of independent and assisted living, 6568 SF of ground floor retail, dining facilities and a fitness center, a landscaped courtyard, and a "therapeutic" roof garden.

Alzheimer's care is also be a specialty at this residential building. Services include transportation to medical centers, museums and galleries, and local events.

A movie theater, library and "upscale pub with billiards and TV" round out the leisure options. It looks like there is a coffee shop in the building, as well. I have to say it looks quite nice compared to previous generations of such facilities, and certainly gives the residents a bit more energy being downtown.