51 Monroe St. part of Brookfield securitization move

Brookfield Property Partners has been criticized for carrying too much debt by some investment experts. The company also has office properties in moribund office markets like Montgomery County, also considered risky. Now BPP is placing several D.C. area properties into a $223.4 million securitization scheme through Morgan Stanley.

51 Monroe St., the tallest building in Rockville, is one of the office properties. Also in the securitization deal are One Central Plaza and 6110 Executive Boulevard, both located in Bethesda.

Whether the move will ease critics fears of risk is unclear, however. Some argue that such deals themselves magnify risk, and obscure the equity the owner holds in the properties in question. Such securities were one of several factors that led to the "Great Recession" a decade ago.

Fireside Park improvements to be review by Development Review Committee August 16

Proposed renovations and improvements to the Fireside Park Apartments will be reviewed this Thursday, August 16, 2018, by the Rockville Development Review Committee. The meeting will be held at 10:00 AM in the Black Eyed Susan Conference Room at City Hall. Improvements proposed include interior renovations, landscaping and ADA-compliance upgrades. The meeting is open to the public, but there is no opportunity for public comment.

Rockville construction update: Chapman Row townhomes (Photos)

Winchester Homes' Chapman Row townhome development is still in the early stages. Officially addressed as 1904 Chapman Avenue, it is the second phase of the redevelopment of 1900 Chapman Avenue, formerly home to Syms. Thompson Crescent, the internal circular street mandated by the Rockville Planning Commission, already has a gleaming new street sign, as seen in the above photo.

The site is hemmed in by the CSX railroad to the east, and Twinbrook Parkway to the south. Homes will range from 2,100 - 2,315 SF, and feature three bedrooms, and two or three bathrooms. Winchester is not offering details yet on amenities, but is citing the proximity to Twinbrook Metro, restaurants, shopping and Pike & Rose. The latter is a good distance away on foot, it must be said.

Hogan announces initiatives to reduce human trafficking in Rockville appearance

Just weeks after it was revealed that human trafficking is up in Montgomery County in 2018, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan made an appearance in Rockville yesterday to address the issue. “As governor, I am committed to ensuring that not only are the violent perpetrators brought to justice, but that we also provide the resources necessary to help survivors recover and rebuild their lives,” Hogan said. “One of our most important responsibilities is to protect Maryland citizens, and human trafficking strikes at the very fiber of our Maryland communities, our families, and our children.”

Among the $9 million in funding and new programs Hogan announced Thursday were a new executive order creating an Anti-Human Trafficking Director position; a new crime, research, and innovation center; strengthened data collection; an updated identification protocol; $5 million in funding for anti-human trafficking efforts; and new legislation to categorize felony human trafficking as a violent crime. Hogan also announced more than $4 million in new grants to target gangs and violent criminal networks as part of the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network (MCIN). Gang violence is up 72% in Montgomery County this year, thanks to our soft-on-crime County Council.

Rockville construction update: Escher apartments at 1900 Chapman Avenue (Photos)

The most mysterious residential development in recent Montgomery County history is becoming more of a known quantity each day. Escher is an apartment building located at 1900 Chapman Avenue in Rockville. It has perhaps the greatest selection of floorplans of any residential building in Montgomery County, which you can see on their website. The sidewalk has now reopened to pedestrians, and a freshly-painted bike lane can be spotted outside the pet-friendly building in the street.

Rockville woman missing

Montgomery County police are seeking the public's help in locating a missing Rockville woman. Natasha “Alex” Mukaka, 18, was last seen leaving her Montrose Road residence on foot Tuesday around 2:00 AM.

Police describe Mukaka as a black female, 5 feet 4 inches tall, and weighing 110 pounds. She has black hair (currently shaved) and brown eyes. When she was last seen, she was wearing black spandex pants, a white t-shirt, and a black shawl.

Police and family are concerned for Mukaka’s emotional and physical welfare. She regularly takes medication but does not have that medication with her. She is unfamiliar with the Washington, D.C. area, detectives say.

Anyone who has information regarding the whereabouts of Natasha Mukaka is asked to call the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000 (available 24-7).

JINYA Ramen Bar Rockville review (Video+Photos)

Fire pit seating on the patio outside
JINYA Ramen Bar at Pike & Rose

JINYA Ramen Bar opens this morning at 11:00 AM at 910 Prose Street, at Pike & Rose in Rockville. The first 100 in line will receive a free bowl of ramen. Is it worth the trip? Watch my review for my opinion on the ramen, and several other menu items.

Garden of Todai-Ji cocktail

Tequila infused with matcha & basil,
agave syrup, fresh lime juice and rose water

Crispy Chicken appetizer dipped
in ponzu sauce

Spicy Creamy Vegan Ramen

Brussels Sprouts Tempera with white truffle oil

JINYA Tonkotsu Black Ramen

Pork Gyoza

Noodles in the vegan ramen

The vegan ramen uses all-vegetable broth, which
is not always the case at other ramen places

Green Tea Mochi ice cream

It is ice cream inside a sweet-rice
dumpling exterior