CITY LIGHTS OF CHINA FIRE CAUSES OVER $400K IN DAMAGE AT BETHESDA RESTAURANT (PHOTOS)

A kitchen fire after midnight on Sunday at City Lights of China caused over $400,000 in damage to the Bethesda restaurant, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer. Piringer said the fire has been ruled accidental, and investigators determined it was electrical in nature. Heavy smoke poured from the roof, and fire officials had to temporarily close that block of Bethesda Avenue.

City Lights moved to 4953 Bethesda Avenue last year, and its original Bethesda Row location was taken over by ShopHouse. Piringer said a health inspector has been requested to examine the damaged restaurant.

Interior damage at
City Lights of China

Photos: Pete Piringer via Twitter

MIA'S PIZZAS HOPES TO REOPEN TODAY AFTER POWER OUTAGE - DUE TO SNOWPLOW ACCIDENT(!) (PHOTOS)

At least 2 Bethesda restaurants appear to have sustained damage from Monday's minor blizzard - and a snowplow. While Pepco restored power to hundreds of customers after a dump truck (with snowplow raised in the air) struck power lines on Cordell Avenue, Mia's Pizzas remained without electricity last night. A pole in front of the pizza parlor remains on the ground.

"Doh!!"

Next door neighbor Gringos & Mariachis seems to have a non-electrical problem: damage to its brand-new awning out front. Examine this photo to see for yourself:

Was it what Roscoe P. Coltrane
would call, "a horrendous
crash?"

Mia's is hoping to reopen today. Gringos and Mariachis is open.

MOCO INSPECTOR GENERAL CLEARS COUNTY PERMITTING DEPARTMENT IN BAINBRIDGE-FRESH GRILL BUILDING DAMAGE COMPLAINT

I've promised to keep you updated on the soap opera involving the condemnation of the building housing Fresh Grill on Fairmont Avenue, and I just uncovered some more information.

The most intriguing twist? An engineering firm currently retained by Montgomery County to inspect and solve the Silver Spring Transit Center fiasco, claimed the Fresh Grill building was not in danger of collapse from the Bainbridge excavation next door.

This directly contradicts the findings of another firm retained by White Flint Express Realty Group LLP (owner of the damaged buildings at 4909 and 4905 Fairmont Avenue), which I reported on last September.

Despite the acknowledgment of cracks in the Fresh Grill structure by both the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS), and White Flint's consultant, a third firm - KCE Structural Engineers - (retained by Bainbridge) asserted that the "buildings are not in imminent danger of collapse, nor must the tenants or their visitors be removed due to safety concerns caused by the [Bainbridge] construction."

The Bainbridge is a 17-story, luxury residential building under construction at 4918 St. Elmo Avenue, in downtown Bethesda.

According to a Montgomery County Inspector General's Office (OIG) report, KCE asserted a second time that the Fairmont Avenue buildings were in no danger of collapse.

But weeks later, on May 9, 2012, KCE advised its client, Bainbridge, to cease construction near the damaged buildings, and proposed a remediation plan for the Fairmont Avenue properties. DPS found the plan satisfactory, and allowed the Bainbridge project to resume eventually.

The Bainbridge construction was going full steam again by late 2012.

But White Flint continued to argue their buildings on Fairmont were in danger of collapse.

On November 13, 2012, White Flint brought photos of cracks and other damage to the Inspector General's office.

OIG met with DPS officials 3 days later, and the latter again confirmed that work should continue on the Bainbridge, and that KCE's remediation plan was satisfactory.

White Flint pressed forward on several specific complaints against DPS:

Allegation 1: DPS improperly permitted the continuation of work on the project.

OIG concluded this accusation was unfounded, that DPS had performed at least 100 on-site inspections, and had adhered to county code in every respect.

Allegation 2: DPS unlawfully delegated review and approval authority of the plan and its implementation to the owner of the Bainbridge.

OIG concluded KCE was a fully-credentialed firm, and that DPS was correct in accepting their technical expertise in allowing construction to resume.

Allegation 3: DPS made an incomplete investigation, because the Bainbridge's consultants falsely advised DPS that they were denied access to White Flint property.

OIG reported that White Flint demanded Bainbridge sign a document that could have had legal implications in the dispute. Therefore, Bainbridge was unable to inspect the site, even though Bainbridge and DPS wanted to carry out such an inspection.

Allegation 4: No valid Traffic Control Plan exists and DPS has been allowing Bainbridge to violate the law regarding construction work in the right-of-way.

OIG said the Traffic Control permits issued to Bainbridge remain in effect through completion of the project, despite the delay caused by the excavation controversy.

Furthermore, OIG says DPS has, in fact, issued citations to Bainbridge on several occasions for "illegal activity in the right-of-way."

Summarizing the findings, OIG concluded:

"We found no evidence that would substantiate the allegations made in this complaint against DPS. We draw no conclusions about whether or to what extent the [Bainbridge] construction has damaged White Flint property. Accordingly, no further investigation by the OIG and no recommendation or follow-up action is required."

So, as of this point, it appears White Flint will have to pursue its complaints in the court system.

As such, don't expect any of the parties to speak about the matter publicly.

Fresh Grill remains caught in the middle of this mess. If one believes the KCE report, technically, Fresh Grill could have reopened by now. But because their building's owner maintains the structure is unsafe, the restaurant remains in limbo at the moment.

WHICH BETHESDA RESTAURANTS ARE OPEN?

Note:  If you don't see your favorite Bethesda restaurant on here, that doesn't necessarily mean it's closed.  It may just be that I don't know they're open yet!

OPEN:

American Tap Room
Capital Teas
Bold Bite,
Lilit Cafe
Mon Ami Gabi
Jaleo Bethesda
Parkers
Yamas Grill
BGR
Nando's Peri-Peri
Georgetown Bagelry
Bethesda Bagels
Zen Tara Tea

UNFINISHED WISCONSIN AVENUE SIDEWALK PROJECTS CONTINUE TO DRIVE DOWNTOWN BETHESDA RESIDENTS CRAZY (PHOTOS)

I continue to hear many complaints from downtown Bethesda residents regarding the Maryland State Highway Administration's unfinished sidewalk projects on Wisconsin Avenue.

Stay classy, Bethesda

The jagged edge - watch your step!

The work has been going on for months now.  I've seen county contractors do one of these ADA retrofits in 2 days, in contrast.

Don't trip on that currrrrrb!!!

These photos were taken last week.  I can't recall a sidewalk project that was partially finished, and then just abandoned like this.

EXPOSED: THE DAMAGE CAUSED TO FRESH GRILL BY BAINBRIDGE SITE EXCAVATION REVEALED!

PHOTO DIARY GIVES

BLOW-BY-BLOW

ACCOUNT OF HOW A

TWO-TENANT STRUCTURE

BECAME THE MOST

DANGEROUS BUILDING

IN BETHESDA

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Now it can be told.  The tale began when I broke the story in March that popular Fresh Grill and Dansez! Dansez! had been forced out of their Fairmont Avenue building, due to construction damage.  An excavation project - literally at the building's back wall - was underway for Bainbridge's mixed-use project, The Monty.

Something went wrong, unspecified damage occurred that made the building uninhabitable, and all parties lawyered up, declining to share details with the press.

My emails to Fresh Grill went unanswered, and a recent article on Bethesda Patch noted that inquiries were similarly rebuffed by all parties.  Understandably, given the circumstances, I suppose.

But while researching further, I struck gold, and found that a consultant to the Fresh Grill building has publicly posted detailed photos of extensive structural damage, and the Herculean efforts to prevent further disaster.  Cracked walls, buckled sidewalks, and much more; all raising questions as to the fate of this building.  Multiple supports ostensibly prevent catastrophe at the edge of a literal abyss.

While this does not explain what the current status of the now-greatly delayed Monty project is, or the future status of Fresh Grill as a business, it does give an idea of how bad the damage is.   A lot of people are hoping Fresh Grill can reopen somewhere else, presumably at the expense or generosity of whatever party is deemed to be responsible - or steps up and takes responsibility - for their total loss of income.  It's possible that's happened already, and that's why the parties can't speak publicly.  But we won't likely know until the legal process has run its course.

BETHESDA ROW FIRE

A small fire broke out on a roof in the Bethesda Lane section of Bethesda Row Thursday evening.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue units responded immediately, and the fire was quickly extinguished.  Amanda Earley of the restaurant Redwood, which is a tenant of the affected building, said only a fan was lost, there was no damage to the restaurant, and no injuries.

In fact, Redwood was fully open Friday, and serving stupendous meals like Crab Cakes with real Maryland jumbo lumb crabmeat (which makes all the difference in the world, for the true crab aficionado! Like me!) and a refreshing Caprese Salad.

So stop by - it's a cooler weekend than the last one, and a great time to try the summer menu at Redwood, where they've beaten the heat this week - literally!

FIRST PEPCO TRUCKS SPOTTED IN BETHESDA AS STORM POWER OUTAGES CONTINUE

HELP MAY BE ON THE WAY

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

I received this photo from a Bethesda resident who passed this long convoy of out-of-state utility trucks heading westbound on River Road after 5:00 PM.  A tree trimming Asplundh truck was in the convoy.

A convoy of utility trucks heads west on River Road
in Bethesda Sunday.

The convoy passes through a dark intersection where
many homes and businesses remain without power tonight.

Driving west on River Road (they are pictured here at River and Willard Avenue/Greenway Drive), they would be passing neighborhoods without power.  Neighborhoods off River Road I checked remained dark as of 10 PM tonight.  Most of the commercial area on River Road between Ridgefield Road and Little Falls Parkway (including Whole Foods and several gas stations) remained dark today.

Has anyone in Bethesda or Potomac along the River Road corridor had their power restored?  The trucks appeared headed in that direction.  Feel free to post a comment below regarding your neighborhood or building power status.

A second sign of Pepco at work was the restoration of power to the traffic signal at Arlington Road-Old Georgetown Road in downtown Bethesda.  With a 5-way intersection, you can imagine what a nightmare that was for police and drivers alike.

Conflicting weather reports say no storms tonight, or storms between 12-3 AM!  Roll the dice, I guess, but take precautions and play it safe.

Stay tuned for updates on Twitter @BethesdaRow and stay cool!

BETHESDA STORM SHOTS: PHOTOS FROM THE STORM OF THE CENTURY

Here are photos from around Bethesda, in the aftermath of the Storm of the Century:

80 MPH wind shear hit Foong Lin restaurant
"Uh oh, better get MAACO!"

Stop means stop - except in Bethesda!

Bethesda natives know to head to Talbert's on River Road
for ice when power goes out - the line was out the door!

River Road was closed between Springfield Drive and
Ridgefield Road due to storm damage.

This is River Road, looking [south]east towards Washington, D.C.
T2 Metrobuses joined all traffic on Ridgefield Rd. detour.

Another victim of 80 MPH wind shear was this tree
just north of downtown Bethesda [Photo: David Heyman]

Police tape prevents drivers from turning at
dark intersection of Wisconsin and Norfolk Avenues.

Ice Truckers of Bethesda!  Business was booming for
this truck selling ice at 7-11 on Fairmont Avenue.

Soccer fans arriving at Union Jack's for Euro Cup 2012 finals
were greeted by these signs announcing the bar
was closed due to power outage.

By the evening of July 2, most power in downtown Bethesda had
been restored.  This was the view looking north on Norfolk Ave.

Bold Bite, BlackFinn and Veterans Park
were ready for the summer crowds.

A Florida Light and Power crew that just finished a job in Bethesda
rushes to batten down the hatches as a thunderstorm hits on July 3.

A Bethesda resident's helpful note directing Pepco to a
dangerous situation off River Road.

KILLER STORM ROCKS BETHESDA, MASSIVE POWER OUTAGES TEST PEPCO IMPROVEMENTS

A powerful thunderstorm system blasted Bethesda Friday night, knocking out power throughout town, and leaving a massive mess in its wake.

73% of residents had no power Friday night.  An urgent public health emergency looms today, with temperatures forecast as feeling like 115 degrees, and A/C-deprived Pepco customers being told power will be out for several days.

It is unclear at this hour just what locations in Bethesda do have power, in terms of what sites can be opened as cooling stations today.

Trees are down from Bethesda Row to the Potomac River.  Massive power outages were reported by residents in neighborhoods off of major highways like River Road and Old Georgetown Road.  One resident near Goldsboro Road reported hearing repeated blasts of a truck air horn over an hour-long period during the night.  I have no idea what that could have been, but would assume it was something serious to make that much noise at night.  If anyone knows what that was related to, let me know, and I'll pass that information on.

Pepco is now facing its first real test of its  2-year-long service improvements.  Bethesda residents reported that outage hotlines were down around 11 PM last night.  Today the area will find out if Pepco has the crews from outside DC to respond to one of the biggest outages in history.  If Pepco rises to the challenge, it could greatly improve public opinion of the utility.

Downtown Bethesda outages left late night partiers without post-nightclub eats.  Both Bold Bite and Jiffy Shoppes were forced to close.  Redwood's Bethesda Lane patio was lashed by hurricane force winds.

In fact, an 80 MPH wind shear was recorded in Bethesda at the height of the storm.  The freight train sounds I heard confirm that.  I was sure a tornado would spawn at any moment, but the damage suggests that circular wind patterns did occur.  Leaves carpet streets, and tree companies will be busy for weeks.  The full extent of the damage will be known once the sun rises this morning.

If you have difficulty reaching Pepco, try their Twitter at @PepcoConnect.

Monitor radio for announcements of cooling centers if you have no AC.

Be advised that more storms are expected today and Sunday.

Stay tuned for more details on one of the Top 5 most violent storms to hit Bethesda in the last 50 years.  Follow me on Twitter @BethesdaRow for more breaking weather news.

Stay cool, Bethesda!