Bethesda Real Estate Investing Meetups
Hi friends,
I have been asked by a few people to start a Bethesda Real Estate Investing meetup that is grounded in easy to understand systems and models. This is something I am happy to do but just wanted to get a sense from folks what other specific things are missing from existing seminar/ meet ups etc.
So! Please give me a call at (240)486-3921 or drop me an email to raj@rajabout.com with your thoughts.
1. Do you have strong feelings about format, timing, content, size etc. Now is the time to make your voice heard.
I want to make sure that this meetup/ seminar series is incredibly useful to attendees and that we can work together to build strong investment portfolios.
Cheers,
Raj
WEATHER UPDATE: Bethesda Flood Warning
This was just sent to me: Captain David Falcinelli,
Safety during heavy rains and flooding
It is anticipated that the 2nd District will receive a significant amount of rain this afternoon. Beach Drive already flooded for a period this morning, and a tree fell across Old Georgetown Rd. at Battery Lane.
Some areas to avoid during heavy rains are: Beach Drive, 8100 Block of Bradley Blvd., Goldsboro Rd. near Mass. Ave., 9300 block of Kendale Rd., and Mass. Ave at Little Falls Pkwy. These roads tend to flood first.
Please avoid taking unnecessary trips during the height of the storm, but if you find yourself on the road, remember to reduce your speed to avoid hydroplaning and allow for greater reaction time due to poor visibility and roadway hazards such as flooding, fallen trees, disabled cars, etc.. If lights are out at an intersection, MD law requires that you treat it as a 4 way stop sign.
NEVER EVER DRIVE THROUGH A FLOODED ROADWAY. IT DOES NOT TAKE MUCH FOR THE WATER TO FLOAT YOUR CAR AND SEND YOU DOWNSTREAM, PUTTING YOU AND EMERGENCY RESPONDERS IN EXTREME DANGER.
Marriott Finalizes Details for Downtown Bethesda Move
This is an important moment. Marriott announces:
“…that it has signed agreements with the Bernstein Cos. and Boston Properties for the new corporate headquarters and flagship Marriott Hotel at 7500 Wisconsin Ave….The $600 million Bethesda campus will include a 22-story office building connected by a landscaped public plaza to the Marriott-branded hotel.”
This has massive implications for the downtown Bethesda area – more workers, residents and visitors. That brings real opportunities in the real estate, food and entertainment spaces but also challenges to schooling and transportation.
What do you think of this move? Drop me an email to raj@rajabout.com
Washington Post Covers Element 28
I noticed that the Washington Post recently covered the new Bethesda apt building “Element 28″ and touched on the broader growth of high-rises in a piece titled: “High-end, transit-oriented apartments rise in Bethesda.”
It got me thinking about the future a little bit….and I wanted to share this thought with you:
I hope that the spike in apartment buildings and new residents leads to a renewal of community in Bethesda. The risk is that things go the other way and we become more siloed but I believe that with some effort, imagination and constructive engagement with local gov., we can build a Bethesda that captures the best of years past with new energy and dynamism for the future.
Grosvenor Metro Development (North Bethesda)
Hi friends,
I wanted to take a minute and forward this notice to you:
Planning Board to Hear Testimony on June 29
Make Your Voice Heard, In Person or In Writing
On June 29, the county Planning Board will hear public testimony on staff’s draft plan for the remaining undeveloped land at the Grosvenor-Strathmore station. A copy of the draft plan is at the Parkside management office, which you are welcome to consult in the office. To consult an online copy, go to http://montgomeryplanning.org/
The agenda for the 29th will be posted two weeks beforehand (go to http://
The most critical issue to be decided is DENSITY, which will affect both the number of dwelling units to be built and the building heights.
NUMBER OF DWELLING UNITS: Staff is recommending a FAR (floor area ratio) of 2.5, or approximately 1,145 dwelling units. The developer is pushing for a FAR of 3.5 (1,650 dwelling units) or a FAR of 3.0 (1,400 dwelling units).
Sushi Burritos in Bethesda!
Somehow I had missed the initial announcement of this Jose Andres concept!
“Buredo, a Washington, D.C., chain that offers burrito-sized sushi rolls, is opening a restaurant in Bethesda this month. Jose Torres, the manager of the location, said the store will open in two weeks at 10241 Old Georgetown Road in the Wildwood Shopping Center.”
What do you think? Have you tried the food at the DC restaurant?
I’m curious and look forward to checking out Buredo!
Downtown Bethesda Sector Plan: Building Design Guidelines
The next phase of the sector plan will see the design of buildings and guidelines be discussed in some detail. Here is a snap shot of the next phase from our friends at Bethesda Magazine:
“The design guidelines that are under development will help define the look and feel that planners want to encourage in downtown Bethesda. The rules are coming as a companion to the Bethesda Downtown Sector Plan that the County Council approved last week and are being written after a series of public outreach meetings.”
Washington Post Review of Q by Peter Chang
I thought this review was worth passing along! Worth reading the whole thing but here is a small bite to whet your appetite (see what I did there!):
“With the opening of the 8,000-square-foot Q by Peter Chang in a glass-wrapped office building in Bethesda, fans of the peripatetic chef now have 10 places in the Mid-Atlantic to explore Chang’s personal style of Chinese cooking.
Admirers of the food created by the one-time chef of the Chinese Embassyare streaming in with high hopes, fanned in part by a name intended to set the $2 million, 200-seat project apart from the collection.”
Bethesda Downtown Sector Plan Dissenter Speaks
Marc Elrich, the one Montgomery County Council member to vote against the Bethesda Downtown Sector plan explains his vote here.
