NEWS: FEATURING CHEVY CHASE & BETHESDA The Parking Lotopposite Lord & Taylor on Jenifer Street in Chevy Chase has been unused for months, but plans are now being made to construct a one-story retail building on the site.So far, there is no information about the type of store(s) the building would house, but, judging from the size of the lot, the structure could be relatively large. Parking for a new store on the site would be an issue, and DC’s Board of Zoning Adjustmentis being asked to grant relief from the strict application of zoning regulations which require that all parking spaces for a business in DC must be on the same lot as the building they are intended to serve.The proposed exception would allow surplus parking located in the garage behind Lord & Taylor to satisfy the need for nearby parking.A hearing on the application is scheduled for October 14. For more information, visit http://app.dcoz.dc.gov/content/schedule/publicview.aspx and click on October 14.
The Lord & Taylor Parking Lot - Click to enlarge
This drawing shows, roughly, the location of the Lord & Taylor parking lot and the surrounding area
Wisconsin Place Office Building, as seen from the corner of Wisconsin & Willard Avenues - Click to enlarge
The Wisconsin Place Office Building looks quite imposing as the exterior takes shape on Wisconsin and Willard Avenues.The website for the office building, which is being developed by Boston Properties, indicates that the building will be ready for occupancy in the fourth quarter of this year.To read more about the building, visit http://bostonproperties.com/
Archstone Wisconsin Place, a 432-unit rental apartment building under construction next to the Office Building, will soon be complemented by a sizable park at the corner of Willard Avenue and Friendship Boulevard.The website for Archstone Wisconsin Place indicates that leasing will begin in August for occupancy in November.For more information, visit www.archstoneapartments.com/Apartments/Maryland/Chevy_Chase/Archstone_Wisconsin_Place/
Cole Haanplans to open a shoe store next door to the new Talbots store for women in The Shops at Wisconsin Placeon August 19.A wholly-owned subsidiary of NIKE, Inc, the company sells high-quality men’s and women’s footwear, handbags, personal leather goods and quality outerwear.To read more about the company, which was founded in Chicago in 1928, visit www.colehaan.com
Giggle, a shop featuring “the best of everything for babies,” plans to open in The Shopsin 2009.They’ll offer bedding and furniture, toys, items for baby care, cleaning products, and more.To read more about Giggle, visit www.giggle.com/about.aspx
The future site of Cole Haan, at left, in The Shops at Wisconsin Place - Click to enlarge
The site, at center, of the former Chevy Chase Holiday Inn - Click to enlarge
The Chevy Chase Holiday Inn and Errol’s Restaurant(formerly Julian’s) closed permanently on June 20. The building will be completely renovated over the coming year, and will be reopened - as a hotel - in the Spring of 2009, but not as a Holiday Inn. A job fair was held at the Inn in late June to assist employees in finding new positions. The Holiday Inn was, for decades, a major feature of Friendship Heights, serving as a place for visiting friends, relatives and business associates to stay.The Inn's Food Services Manager Errol D'Souzawas recognized recently by the Kiwanis Club of Friendship Heights for his contributions to the community. Visitors who wish to stay in Friendship Heights might like to consider the Embassy Suitesin the Chevy Chase Pavilion. For more information, write to http://embassysuitesdc.com
Famoso Restaurantin the Collection at Chevy Chase- above the MaxMarashop andM Café- has a new menu and a new wine list.Plans to open seating for M Caféin the adjacent park are on hold.Nearby, Sushiko, a Japanese restaurant, is now open on the lower level of the office building in the Chevy Chase Center.
Hela, a medical spa, is preparing to open in July in space formerly occupied by a Georgette Klinger salon in the Collection at Chevy Chase. Hela originated in Sweden, and the name means “to make whole” in Swedish. The spa will be located above the Tiffany store and can be reached from the service lane behind the Collection. To read more about the company, which also has a shop on M Street in Georgetown, visit www.helaspa.com
Tree Top Kids, a national high-end children’s specialty chain selling toys, books and clothes for children, is preparing to open in July on the lower level of theChevy Chase Pavilion.The shop will occupy space that was formerly the site of a Hold Everything store- next to World Market.
The Holiday Inn sign being removed in June - Click to enlarge
The future site ot a Tree Top Kids shop, at center, in The Chevy Chase Pavilion - Click to enlarge
Three major national drugstore chainsare looking at spaces to lease in the heart of the Friendship Heights retail center.Meanwhile, River Rx Pharmacyhas opened in Kenwood Station- near the Whole Foods Market- on River Road in Bethesda.
The Taxi Stand in Friendship Heightswas moved back to Wisconsin Circle in June. The temporary taxi stand on Willard Avenue will be closed as soon as Taxi Stand signs are removed on Willard and drivers are informed of the change. There are spaces for two or three taxis to park at a time on Wisconsin Circle. The Taxi Stand is visible from the Metro Bus & Subway Stationdirectly across the street and is readily accessible, a feature which is profoundly important for passengers with disabilities. There is an area behind the Giant loading dock near Western Ave. where taxis can wait until a spot opens for them at the Taxi Stand.
TheMontgomery County Governmentis preparing to open a Commuter Storeon Wisconsin Circle in Friendship Heights near the new Taxi Stand.The new store will be called TRiPS, short for “transportation resources, information and places to see.”The goal of TRiPS is to promote “greener” ways of travel, e.g., public transit, car/van pooling, biking, walking, and car-sharing. SmarTripcards, tokens, passes and related merchandise will be sold in the store.There will also be information available regarding hotels, restaurants, shopping, entertainment, arts, culture, recreation, historic sites, special events, and more throughout the region. Volunteer Information Specialists are being sought to assist in operating the TRiPS store.The County is calling for “friendly, outgoing people who have basic word processing and internet navigation skills and can commit to a regular part-time schedule of volunteer work.”Volunteers will be given orientation and training. Please call (301) 565-5870 between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.
A taxi parked at the new Taxi Stand on Wisconsin Circle, within view of the Metro Station at left - Click to enlarge
The Taxi Stand Sign at left, as seen at the Metro Station, with a taxi parked at the new Stand on the right - Click to enlarge
Metro has revamped the 30s Metrobus Line, which serves Friendship Heights and other destinations. The 30s line is the oldest in the Metro Bus system and serves about 20,000 passengers every weekday. Effective June 29, Route 37 - the Wisconsin Avenue Limited Line - will run 7-10 a.m. and 4:30-7 p.m. weekdays from Friendship Heights to the Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter Metrorail Station - via Wisconsin and Massachusetts Avenues. The 37 line will be a limited-stop route, and "customers can expect faster travel times, less crowding and better supervision to keep the buses on schedule,” according to Metro.
From time to time, readers ask for more information about our publication. We've listed a few of the recent Q & A's below and hope they will be useful.
Q: Why do you report on some events and not others? A. The Washington area is so large and there are so many interesting venues and programs that we have to pick and choose each month.
Q: You don't express opinions about the various programs you mention. Why not? A: We like to let our readers form their own opinions.
Q: Are you supported by or associated with any government or private institutions? A: No, our publication is completely independent.
Q: Do you plan to accept ads in the future? A: Possibly.
Q: Why do you often repeat information in your “News” and “Shopping” Columns? A: There is great interest in some matters, and many readers like to be informed of the status of some projects even if there is no significant change.
Q: Why does it take a long time for me to access your site? A: The site is designed mainly for readers who have high-speed internet connections. Even though you may not be able to view the illustrations we provide, you will likely be able to read the accompanying text.
Q: Why do you focus so much on matters of interest to Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Potomac, Alexandria and Washington? A: The majority of our readers live or work in those areas.
Q: Why is your photo published online? A: To avoid confusion with a media personality with a very similar name.
