Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Strong-arm robbery at Rockville Town Square


Rockville police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery at Rockville Town Square yesterday afternoon. The robbery was reported in the unit block of Maryland Avenue between Beall Avenue and E. Middle Lane at 4:30 PM, according to crime data.

South Block coming soon to Rockville


South Block
has posted coming soon signage at its future location at 11803 Grand Park Avenue at Pike & Rose in Rockville. The local chain specializes in smoothies, acai bowls, fresh-pressed juices, and avocado or banana toast. Take a closer look at these photos to find out how you can get a free acai bowl. You're welcome!




Monday, February 7, 2022

Rockville Super Bowl specials at Taco Bamba


Chicken wings and nachos are frequently found on Super Bowl Sunday spreads at homes across America. Taco Bamba in Rockville is offering a special Super Bowl LVI package featuring both - with some unique flavors - now through Super Bowl Sunday, February 13, 2022. 

For $75, you will get a Big Game Platter with 18 Bamba Wings, cotija poblano ranch dipping sauce, nachos, 12 oz. of your choice of toppings (carne asada, barbacoa, spiced ground beef, birria, carnitas, chorizo, chicken tinga, spicy 'shroom, or roasted buffalo cauliflower), 8 oz. each of queso, guacamole, pickled jalapeƱo, pico de gallo, and crema; and 16 oz. of salsa of your choice (verde, taquera, arbol, morita).

You can order the Big Game Platter online here. Taco Bamba is located at 1627 Rockville Pike, at Congressional Plaza.

Photo courtesy Taco Bamba

Friday, February 4, 2022

Rockville considers annexing Shady Grove Hospital, Shady Grove Metro station and brewery sites into city


Rockville's Mayor and Council will hold a discussion on the possible annexation of four sites into the city at its virtual meeting this Monday, February 7, 2022 at 7:00 PM. The sites under consideration are the campus of Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, the Shady Grove Metro station, and industrial sites leased by two breweries at 400 E. Gude Drive (True Respite) and 1029 E. Gude Drive (Twin Valley Distilleries). 

Because the hospital and Metro station are owned by non-profit entities, the city can initiate annexation procedures for them without the consent of the landowners, Adventist HealthCare and WMATA. Because state law requires a municipality to border a property it wishes to annex, acquiring the hospital site, would require the agreement of two private property owners whose land is between the city and the hospital campus.

City staff suggests that future development on either property could bring tax revenue to the city if they are annexed. Acquiring the brewery sites would enhance the city's established branding of the RockEast District along Gude Drive as a craft beer destination.

The timeline for annexation of the properties would be nine to fourteen months from the start of the process by the Mayor and Council, assuming there is no legal action taken by any party, and the private landowners of the brewery sites and hospital adjacent sites agree to annexation in a timely fashion. If the Mayor and Council direct staff to lay the groundwork for an annexation of one or more of the properties, staff would begin outreach to the landowners. Site surveys would be performed, and then the Mayor and Council would decide whether to initiate the annexation. 

Thursday, February 3, 2022

Eko House soft opening today in Rockville


Be one of the first to try the new Eko House pan-African restaurant and lounge at 150 Gibbs Street at Rockville Town Square. Their soft opening begins today, February 3, 2022, but you need to make a reservation through their website or Resy. Seating will be limited, so don't delay. Soft opening hours this week will be as follows:



Wednesday, February 2, 2022

The Tower Companies activates largest solar grid in Rockville


The largest solar energy grid in the City of Rockville is now active. Real estate development firm The Tower Companies flipped the switch on its half megawatt solar PV canopy system at The Tower Building at 1101 Wootton Parkway yesterday. It will provide the same annual carbon offset value as 600 acres of forest, a positive in a county where forest and tree canopy are being clearcut at an aggressive pace.

The new parking lot grid will also supply a full fifth of the Tower Building's energy needs each year. In addition to the Prospect Solar-installed canopy, four electric vehicle charging stations were added. By June 2022, Tower will be generating almost 2 million kWh of on-site solar energy across its entire real estate portfolio, using approximately 4,000 solar panels.

The Tower Building in Rockville

"This is a great, innovative project that shows how Rockville businesses are contributing to clean, local renewable energy generation and helping our community meet our greenhouse gas reduction goals," Rockville Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton said in a statement yesterday. "We are proud that our city is home to companies like Tower that share the values of our community and are taking proactive approaches to help us meet Rockville's climate action goals." She said the project aligns with the Mayor and Council's efforts on a Climate Action Plan for the city.

Tower Companies CEO Eric Posner on Tuesday touted the grid as not only good for the environment, but also a potential draw for climate-conscious tenants that other office building owners could emulate. "Tower is proud to continue our long-standing commitment to sustainability and contribute to local, state, and national climate action goals that will improve the lives of generations to come," Posner said. "We view this project as a smart investment that not only benefits the environment, but is also a real value-add for our office building tenants."

Photos courtesy The Tower Companies, Prospect Solar

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

El Mercat Bar de Tapas now open in Rockville


El Mercat Bar de Tapas
is now open at 101-C Gibbs Street at Rockville Town Square. George Rodrigues is the executive chef and owner of the Spanish tapas bar. You can see the menu, make reservations and order online on the restaurant's website. I've already heard a rave review from one reader of Rockville Nights.



Photos courtesy El Mercat Bar de Tapas