Silver Diner Gaithersburg construction update (Photos)

Let's check in on the progress at Silver Diner at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. The restaurant is scheduled to open in August, and appears to be on-track to meet that target. You can see that, since my last update, the lighting fixtures have been installed inside.

Foulger Pratt CEO criticizes MoCo for failing to complete master plan highway system

Tells Bisnow, "there's no comparison"

between moribund MoCo and booming

Northern Virginia office markets

Foulger Pratt CEO Cameron Pratt is the latest regional business leader to speak out on the moribund Montgomery County economy, which has failed to attract a single major corporate headquarters in over two decades. That matters to the real estate firm, which has many Montgomery County office buildings in its regional portfolio. Pratt tells Bisnow in a new interview that "there's no comparison" between stagnant MoCo and booming Northern Virginia when it comes to office tenant interest. He cites MoCo official's cancellation of major parts of the county's master plan highway system as a major reason we've become the bedroom community for booming job centers in Northern Virginia.

Of course, Pratt notes that Northern Virginia is much more business-friendly in its policies, and is far more aggressive in wooing companies. Both factors can almost go without saying. But he zeroes in on infrastructure as a deciding factor, as have many CEOs who have chosen Virginia over Montgomery County in recent decades.

"I think the biggest challenge Montgomery County has is infrastructure," Pratt tells Bisnow's Jon Banister. "You look at Northern Virginia; they have two airports, they have a significant freeway system connecting the airports and the suburbs to downtown, and they’ve spent money to invest in HOT lanes, in extending the Metro to Dulles Airport. That infrastructure is because of decades of planing and investment and Montgomery has not made those same investments. Montgomery County does not have a freeway connecting the suburbs to downtown. It does not have significant airport infrastructure and has not extended Metro further out. They have not been willing to grapple with the important issue of another river crossing and if Montgomery County is not willing to make investments in infrastructure, I don’t think they’ll be able to attract employers and compete with Northern Virginia."

What a bodyslam. "That's gotta hurt, Gene." Pratt's interview comes ahead of next week's Bisnow-sponsored event that will focus on the future of business and real estate in Montgomery County.

Pratt is one of the few CEOs to publicly challenge County officials' ongoing refusal to complete the master plan highway system. Bob Buchanan, another County business leader willing to speak up, told transportation officials in Virginia that many of his MoCo business colleagues are afraid to challenge elected officials on their failure to build the new Potomac River crossing because of political pressure.

Montgomery County officials years ago canceled no less than three freeways leading into the District: the Northwest Freeway, the North-Central Freeway, and the Northern Parkway. They canceled the Rockville Freeway in the late 1980s, and are currently blocking the M-83 Highway from being constructed in the upcounty. And of course, they've prevented the new Potomac River crossing to the Dulles Airport area from being built for decades. Dulles has the wide variety and frequency of flights to international business destinations that corporate leaders need to be competitive. They simply cannot meet their travel needs at BWI or Reagan National, which themselves are infuriatingly long drives away from MoCo.

Imagine knowing what the solutions to a major problem are, and simply refusing to implement them. Under the current "leadership" of our MoCo political cartel-controlled Council, that is what passes for "The Montgomery Way." Heckuva job, Brownie!

Moorenko's Ice Cream now open at Rio Lakefront

Moorenko's Ice Cream is now open at Rio Lakefront. Their pop-up ice cream shop is located at 215 Boardwalk Place. Do you think they should open a permanent shop here? 

MOD Pizza sets opening date in Gaithersburg

MOD Pizza has set an opening date for its new Gaithersburg location, and it will beat MOD's future Rockville location to the finish line. The Gaithersburg restaurant will open on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at 10:30 AM.

The first 52 customers through the door will win free pizza, and they'll be giving away other prizes. As you can see in these photos, everything inside is ready to go for opening day, and even the patio furniture and stringed lighting are in place for outdoor dining. MOD Pizza is located at 145 Commerce Square Place at Kentlands Market Square.

Gaithersburg TD Bank robbery suspect arrested

Montgomery County police have found the man they allege robbed the TD Bank at 15830 Shady Grove Road in Gaithersburg on June 8. In an interesting twist, the man they identified doesn't live anywhere near Gaithersburg. Jonathan David Goff, 36, of the 16500 block of St. John Road in Rineyville, Kentucky, was determined by detectives to be the robber, based upon a tip received by police since my previous report.

After Montgomery County authorities issued an arrest warrant for Goff, he was found by U.S. Marshals and local police outside of Bloomington, Illinois. The very active traveler isn't going anywhere anytime soon - he is in the slammer Bloomington awaiting extradition to Montgomery County, which is why he hasn't been formally charged yet in the case.

KFC Cheetos Chicken Sandwich arrives in Gaithersburg

KFC launched its limited-time-only Cheetos Chicken Sandwich nationwide yesterday. The sandwich contains a crispy chicken breast brushed with a cheesy Cheetos sauce, served atop a layer of Cheetos and mayonnaise on a bakery roll. It comes in a special Chester Cheetah box.

For larger appetites, there is the Cheetos Lovers Box. For just under $10, you get the Cheetos Chicken sandwich, Cheetos popcorn chicken, potato wedges, mac & cheese and a medium drink. There is no special box for the Cheetos Lovers Box, unfortunately. Watch my review of the sandwich and Cheetos Lovers Box for a full evaluation.

Gaithersburg's One Washingtonian Center sold to Singapore-based REIT

One of Gaithersburg's landmark buildings is being sold. Current owner KBS is selling One Washingtonian Center to Prime US REIT, which is based in Singapore. The building is part of a larger $1.2 billion KBS portfolio being transferred to the new Singapore REIT, according to S&P Global. Located at 9801 Washingtonian Boulevard, the 14-story office tower's tenants include Sodexo.