Maryland Soccerplex interested in new liquor license
An official for the Maryland Soccerplex and Discovery Sports Center in Boyds asked Montgomery County state representatives Monday to support a bill that would create a special liquor license so the facility can serve beer and wine during large sporting events. Charles Washington, a member of the soccerplex’s board of directors, told legislators the sports facility would like to expand its roster of events to include concerts and lacrosse tournaments and would like to serve beer and wine to bring in additional revenue during some events. The facility already hosts a number of soccer tournaments and also serves as the home of the the Washington Spirit, a professional women's soccer team.
The license would apply only to sports stadiums in the county with a seating capacity of more than 2,000 people—the soccerplex is the only one in the county of that size, according to Del. Charles Barkley, who is sponsoring the bill. Washington said the soccerplex operates largely independently at this point, although it was initially built and supported with funds raised and donated by Discovery Communications founder John Hendricks. The largest stadium at the facility–Maureen Hendricks Field–can seat about 4,000.
“This will help us to make investments to keep it the treasure it is today,” Washington said.
The facility does serve some beer and wine currently, but only at a beer garden and the drinks must be consumed there, according to the stadium regulations.
Lantian Development acquires Comsat campus for $11.5 million
The main building at the COMSAT campus designed by Cesar Pelli. Photo via Lantian
Bethesda-based Lantian Development announced Tuesday it has purchased the 204-acre COMSAT campus in Clarksburg for $11.5 million. The former home of the government-regulated satellite corporation’s research arm, the property includes a 496,000-square-foot headquarters building designed by the modernist architect Cesar Pelli. The site also includes about 3,600 feet of frontage on I-270 in Clarksburg.
Lantian is considering updating the property to make it compatible for pharmaceutical research, according to the announcement. The company did not say if it would tear down the primary building, which was built in 1969, although there have been reports that demolition may be considered.
Bethesda Row Sweetgreen reopens with new design
Sweetgreen unveiled this new design in Bethesda Monday. It plans to roll it out at its other stores nationwide. Photo courtesy of Sweetgreen.
Sweetgreen Bethesda reopened Monday after being temporarily closed to renovate the salad-serving Bethesda Row restaurant. The new look features an open layout designed to give customers a view of the kitchen and to serve customers more efficiently. The design will serve as a prototype that the chain plans to roll out in all of its stores, according to the company.
