GSSCC Weekly Update - December 24, 2018

December 24, 2018

Discovery Building to Re-Brand for Multiple Business Tenants

Foulger Pratt's development team shared its plans to re-brand and reconfigure areas outside and inside the current Discovery building to make it attractive to multiple large business tenants, once Discovery moves its staff out in March of next year. A spokesperson for the company shared plans with the Chamber's Economic Development Committee last Thursday. Plans include opening the public area on the Metro side of the building to create a new driveway and entrance that will accommodate two office towers (the one along Georgia Avenue and the other along Colesville Road); making the public spaces softer, greener, and more inviting to the community; and creating space for as many as three or four large businesses to move their offices into the building. The developer could not yet share the name of specific businesses that have expressed interest, but is optimistic and pleased by the inquiries they have already received. An announcement on the building's new address and branding is expected sometime next month. To see a copy of the presentation, click here.

Pepco Work Moves South on Fenton, North on Georgia

Pepco's multi-year effort to upgrade the electric infrastructure in Silver Spring continues between Takoma Park and Linden Lane. Pepco officials provided an update for the Chamber's Economic Development Committee last week.

Crews on Fenton will be working between Wayne Avenue and Montgomery College over the next 60 days. They expect to be working at the intersection of Bonifant beginning early next month and will also be tunneling under Philadelphia Avenue. Once they cross Wayne, crews will need to take over the parking lane and one traffic lane, one block at a time, as they work their way south. Work on this section of the project is expected to be finished sometime in 2020. Click here for more details.

At the same time, crews are working to install three underground lines for the north section of the project (to connect Sligo to Linden) beginning this month through May 2021. Most work on Georgia will be in the northbound lanes and occur from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. Click here to see the meeting handouts.

Connect with Fellow GSSCC Members. . .

. . .from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 10, at Copper Canyon Grill (928 Ellsworth). Each member will have three minutes to present his or her business to the group. Cost is just $25 per person. Participation is limited to 24 GSSCC members. Log in and register here.

How to Get the Most from Your Membership

New Chamber members and new representatives of current members can learn how to maximize their company's investment by attending the next GSSCC101, scheduled from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 16, at Eggspectation (923 Ellsworth Drive). Advance registration is required for this free breakfast. Participation is limited to two employees per member organization. Log in and register here .

* All Set Restaurant & Bar is set to ring in the new year with its "NYE 2018: All Set For Prom!" New Year's Eve celebration that includes a three-course prix-fixe dinner and everything you need to make a memorable "Prom Night." For details and reservations, click here.

* Congratulations to Liz Whitehead, CEO of 12POINTFIVE, a business development and professional services company, on winning the Women Presidents Educational Organization -DC's 2018 Women Business Enterprise Connection Award. For more information click here.

Interested in Sponsoring a Chamber Networking Event. . .

Opportunities available in 2019. Call the 301-565-3777 for details.

Upcoming Committee/Group Meetings

* Non-Profit Team - 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 8

* Young Professionals Network - 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 10

* Membership Development Committee - 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 22

The Chamber office will be closed from December 24, 2018 through January 1, 2019.

Staff will be checking email daily and will respond as soon as possible.

About GSSCC Committee/Team Meetings: All GSSCC members are welcome to participate in Chamber committees. Members are welcome to attend committee meetings to assess interest in joining a committee. Meetings are typically held in the GSSCC Conference Room. Advance RSVP is required and priority will be given to existing committee members when speakers are scheduled.

Thank you to our 2018-2019 GSSCC Partners

Corporate Partners - Downtown Silver Spring; Lee Development Group; Montgomery College; Statland & Katz/Joseph W. McCartin Insurance; Washington Adventist Hospital

Business Partners - Andalman & Flynn, AFI Silver Theatre; Apex Home Loans; Atlantech Online; Bud Miller Associates, Inc.; Digital Industry; EagleBank; Eggspectation; The Fillmore Silver Spring; Lerch, Early & Brewer Chtd.; Linowes and Blocher, LLP; M&T Bank; Revere Bank; The Tower Companies (The Blairs); United Therapeutics Corporation; Washington Property Company.

Partners - Adam Lowe Creative; Bell Flowers; Carlton Creative; EBA Ernest Bland Associates; IBI - Innovative Business Interiors; My Office Products; Signs By Tomorrow.

To reach the Chamber staff, call 301-565-3777.