MoCo drops ball again, loses out on Fannie Mae, Wilcoxon jobs

Montgomery County took it on the chin again Wednesday, as our elected officials continue to fumble the ball on economic development. High-tech manufacturer Wilcoxon announced it is moving its Germantown facility - and its 100 jobs - to Frederick. In a statement, Wilcoxon President Dr. Christopher McLean cited Frederick and Frederick County's "manufacturing-friendly taxes and [the] simplified permitting process that exists in both jurisdictions" as major factors in the move.

McLean also noted the quick access to three major highways, key to a manufacturer, and that "8435 Progress Drive provides a lower cost of ownership than our previous [Montgomery County] facility, and we can remain close to Washington, D.C. and three major airports." "Whenever you can attract 100 tech jobs, especially filling 45,000 square feet of space, it’s a great opportunity for the city," Frederick's Director of Economic Development Richard Griffin said, according to the Frederick News Post.

This was yet another clear example of our draconian taxes, red tape regulations and poor business climate costing us jobs and tax revenue.

But it got worse: Fannie Mae announced it has leased a whopping 850000 SF at Boston Properties' Reston Gateway, and will be the anchor tenant there. Tons of jobs will move into the site in 2022, Boston Properties said in a press release, bringing more revenue and business foot traffic for Virginia.

How did this happen? We have a County Council clueless about how the world of international business works in 2018. They are ideologically-opposed to making the common sense changes in taxes and regulations, and building the necessary transportation infrastructure, needed to make Montgomery County competitive in the region again.

Look no further than the Council's brainless decision to loudly broadcast they intend to cancel funding for the Montrose Parkway East. The Council, at least in public, claims they want Amazon to choose the Pike District for its HQ 2.

What better way to impress a logistics company like Amazon, than to announce you are canceling the main infrastructure project near their potential headquarters, right?

It's amateur hour at 100 Maryland Avenue again, folks!

Federal Realty plan would deliver new White Flint Metro entrance sooner at lower price (Photos)

The long-planned construction of a north entrance to the White Flint Metro station has been stalled since 2010. That year, Montgomery County approved the White Flint sector plan that requires the entrance be built, and WMATA conducted a study. An entrance closer to Pike & Rose, and - in relative terms - to properties north of Montrose Parkway, is considered essential to a successful redevelopment of the northern Pike District by property owners.

To try and get the ball rolling again at a time when Montgomery County councilmembers have managed to spend us into an ongoing structural deficit, developer Federal Realty hired a consultant to put together an independent study. Consultant AECOM and Federal Realty say the finished report shows the new entrance can be delivered sooner, and at a lower cost, than currently expected.

To achieve savings, the plan proposes breaking the development of the entrance into three phases. The Federal Realty proposal's price tag for Phase 1 would come in below the lowball option price of WMATA's study, which was priced in recession-era 2010 dollars, so the savings are likely even bigger than the numbers indicate. At only $11.1 million, Federal Realty's plan would deliver a functional station entrance at completion of Phase 1.

Later phases would add a station supervisor kiosk, exit fare machines, a pedestrian plaza, a bike storage facility, and employee and public restrooms, among other features and amenities. The push for the station takes on extra urgency, as the Pike District is considered the leading potential destination for Amazon's HQ 2 in Montgomery County.

While the empty former site of White Flint Mall is a major candidate, Pike & Rose is arguably the best choice for the long-term. Not only does it already have the urban "neighborhood" and entertainment, dining and retail options Amazon wants, but Federal Realty has several other large properties primed for redevelopment on the next blocks of Rockville Pike north of Pike & Rose. Amazon could end up with space to grow on the Montrose Crossing and Federal Plaza properties, which would be easily walkable from Pike & Rose - especially if a creative use or redevelopment of the underutilized parking lot north of Montrose Parkway at Towne Road is approved.

Federal Realty is now seeking to have a development study for their proposal funded in the FY-2019 Montgomery County CIP budget, and to develop a funding agreement and timetable among the County, WMATA and private stakeholders. The Federal Realty plan currently estimates the total price tag as $25.3 million.

PowerPoint images courtesy Federal Realty

Mayor & Council to hold meeting in Twinbrook on Tuesday, March 6

UPDATE: The location of the meeting has been changed to the Twinbrook Recreation Center

The Mayor and Council will hold a meeting for Twinbrook residents on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at 7:00 PM in the Social Hall at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, located at 603 Edmonston Drive. On the agenda is a community discussion.

Kabuto Japanese Steak & Sushi Bar posts "Coming Soon" signage in Rockville (Photos)

A long-awaited addition to Rockville's exploding Asian dining scene is finally showing further signs of life - and a modified name. It was nearly ten months ago when I broke the story that the owners of Kabu Japanese Steakhouse in Laurel had leased space for a new location in Foulger-Pratt's Rockville Metro II building at One Choice Hotels Circle. Since then, not much has happened besides the occasional appearance of a step ladder inside the space.

Now some significant work seems to be underway inside, and "coming soon" signage has been put up in the windows. The new year brings a new name for the restaurant, which will now be known as Kabuto Japanese Steak & Sushi Bar. For folks coming off the Metro at the end of the day, Kabuto will be the first restaurant choice they'll encounter walking into Rockville Town Center - Location, location, location!

Rockville construction update: Canopy by Hilton/bluemercury at Pike & Rose (Photos)

The new Canopy by Hilton is just about ready to open at Pike & Rose. A new bluemercury location is also under construction in the ground floor of the hotel.

bluemercury

bluemercury

bluemercury

bluemercury's corner spot on
the ground floor at Rose and
Grand Park Avenues

Darnestown woman vanishes leaving courthouse in Rockville

A woman who left the District Court of Maryland courthouse at 191 E. Jefferson Street in Rockville around 9:00 AM yesterday hasn't been seen since. Montgomery County police say Diva Sada Anita Marshall, 28, is African American, approximately 5’5″ tall, and weighs 128 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes.

Police and her family are concerned for her welfare, as she functions at a middle-school level. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Diva Sada Anita Marshall to call the Montgomery County Police Department’s non-emergency number at 301-279-8000.

Rockville construction update: The Red Door Salon & Spa at Pike & Rose (Photos)

The signage for The Red Door Salon &Spa has been installed and lit at 934 Rose Avenue at Pike & Rose. It is located on two levels at the bottom of the new Canopy by Hilton hotel and 930 Rose condo building. The spa and the hotel are both expected to open soon.