The Washington Revels’ headquarters building has been listed for sale, a development that may require the organization to move out, according to Revels Executive Director Greg Lewis. “The expectation is that the buyer will not be an investment buyer,” he said, “in which case, if it were, it might be a scenario where a lease rate could be worked out and we could stay.”
The county’s parks and library branches this week will begin lifting some restrictions imposed as part of the COVID-19 lockdown and offering certain services and amenities. Beginning today (June 29), Montgomery Parks will be reopening playgrounds to patrons under certain guidelines, and library book drops will open for returns (with some exceptions).
Locavino, the wine café that overlooks Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring, has been recognized with a 2020 Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator magazine. The award “recognizes thoughtfully chosen wine lists that offer quality and diversity, as well as compatibility with the restaurant’s style and menu,” according to the announcement.
The county’s Planning Department has released a report that analyzed and made recommendations concerning the level of comfort for pedestrians walking to future Purple Line stations. The Purple Line report focuses specifically on the comfort level for pedestrians walking within a half-mile of each station.
The Hair Cuttery in Ellsworth Place has permanently closed, joining other salons shut down by its parent company even as others are preparing to reopen. Creative Hairdressers Inc. announced in January it intended to close more than 80 stores due to financial issues.
The County Council today will introduce special appropriations of nearly $18 million to provide additional assistance for COVID-19 recovery efforts. Also today, the council will hold public hearings and vote on 10 previously introduced special appropriations totaling about $40 million.
Two businesses have signed leases for space on the street level of Central apartments, located on the corner of Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street. The new tenants are local &Pizza and Lifestyles Nail Bar, Inc., according to Julie Chase, a representative of developer Grosvenor Americas.
The county has launched a summer employment program for residents aged 16–23 who will work throughout the county to assist in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery. The “COVID Corps” will be run by the county’s Recreation Department, which will provide mentors, guidance and training for selected applicants.
Montgomery County police officers are now required to intervene when they witness excessive force being used by other officers under a new policy announced yesterday. In addition, the County Council introduced a bill that would codify additional curbs on police use of excessive force.
Montgomery County will move to Phase 2 of its planned reopening at 5 p.m. Friday, June 19, County Executive Marc Elrich announced. “Phase 2 allows additional businesses and activities to start and/or increase modified operations under specified guidelines.”
Vandals defaced a memorial marking the graves of 17 Confederate soldiers buried in Grace Church Cemetery at the corner of Georgia Avenue and Grace Church Road. The bodies were relocated from their original graves near Fort Stevens in Washington, D.C. to the cemetery in 1874, according to “Silver Spring and the Civil War,” written by Woodside Park resident Robert Oshel.
Northbound Laurel Avenue in Takoma Park will be closed beginning today (June 12) to allow for outdoor seating, dining, sales and customer pick-ups, according to a city announcement. Traffic will be rerouted around the Seventh Day Adventist church, while southbound Laurel Avenue will remain open to vehicles.