[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6248656,"mediaKeyId","3209508-f158b69c8a891f02ce5c9bac51876902","parentId",3209508,"title","Gaithersburg Q1 economic update: office vacancy improves, retail softens; federal downsizing watched","audioSeconds",194,"startMs",2509000,"endMs",2703000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3209508-f158b69c8a891f02ce5c9bac51876902&start=2509&end=2703","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3209508-f158b69c8a891f02ce5c9bac51876902/thumbnail_2509000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6248656/Gaithersburg-City/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Gaithersburg-Q1-economic-update-office-vacancy-improves-retail-softens-federal-downsizing-watched","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248656-99c1aeed7ecadd62df94e22287faad62/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202791&Signature=X~7oLq~xbvQs31~TOB0vkXtIUQeQPDYEZfPfSiT9x04dWmm-0CBkQS585sy0OyxYCBnynttFKKa7VtAcy9y2iMAeFsm4rmtydhKqIh5oaK1CXgGoE0VkfH2DCiP9M7IjCxzVrzVo46yb5tXngrhg~tpKkBpaXNV9Tg6cQQeEDuw-fCI5W2AsR5QJoHg0rux9SW1z7PFXgIdbmKJH8jvu4LXgszNg6LouBqnQA~ALxPri82Tq0NI2cIRqjmnQMww1A~D7-Q~GWqJyr3KhfAdGFYgeM45HMkLhqf5~9OuH5LU9tkwwaHM~JTDjvZeRTQm80Lroz5~lqtPMFDxC9~j0kA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Gaithersburg, MD","date","2025-05-06T01:11:25Z","article","Economic development staff presented a first-quarter 2025 snapshot on May 5 showing mixed trends across Gaithersburg's commercial real estate markets and a continued need to monitor federal workforce changes.

Tom Lonerganseager said the city tracks roughly 9.5 million square feet of office and flex inventory and about 5 million square feet of retail via a CoStar subscription. He reported the city's office vacancy rate improved from 13.1% in Q1 2024 to 11.4% in Q1 2025; about 1.3 million square feet of office space is currently available in the city. Countywide office availability was higher, exceeding 16 million square feet with a vacancy rate above 20%.

Tom said flex-space vacancy (one- and two-story buildings used by biotech and light industrial tenants) decreased to 31% from about 57% the prior year, driven in part by leasing at facilities on Progress Way. On retail, the vacancy rate rose from about 1.9% to 3%, attributed largely to the closing of a Best Buy on Shady Grove Road, accounting for roughly 46,000 square feet; about 97,000 square feet of retail space was available in the city at the time of the report.

Unemployment in March stood at 2.9% in the city, which Tom equated to about 1,177 unemployed residents. He noted roughly 3,800 city residents were federal civilian employees last year and said it could take time to see the labor- and demand-side effects of recent federal downsizing notices. Staff will continue to monitor market indicators as federal changes and tariffs affect construction costs, financing, and demand for existing buildings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Gaithersburg Mayor & Council Meeting: May 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City economic development staff reported first-quarter 2025 commercial real estate trends: office vacancy in Gaithersburg fell to 11.4% from 13.1% year-over-year, flex vacancy dropped substantially, retail vacancy ticked up to 3%; staff cautioned that federal government downsizing could affect future demand.","taxTitle","Gaithersburg City, Montgomery County, Maryland","taxId",4997,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6248660,"Gaithersburg celebrates ribbon-cutting for 78 affordable homes at Gardens of Gaithersburg",155,1571000,1726000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3209508-f158b69c8a891f02ce5c9bac51876902&start=1571&end=1726","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3209508-f158b69c8a891f02ce5c9bac51876902/thumbnail_1571000.jpg","/articles/6248660/Gaithersburg-City/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Gaithersburg-celebrates-ribbon-cutting-for-78-affordable-homes-at-Gardens-of-Gaithersburg","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248660-b6a22291b4678ccce0d0ac6c8593b54b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202791&Signature=iv3m4dEjZOApMvjz-AZh3VU2HKIzAnR8R~Z6noiivlzElY7DyJOIPBpW8bJpDLor78wKfLletST8APf5ox2hVzDqoWjtXO7Cn6ympwpECwrIOmqeyqj-E2d62eiyhR8B92PROdd42fAYepyWHmlGYrAft7YGDiez6fUVpUTxa~kM-Mb2js3p6x3q~JpBqjX77rzRvugiVbUiPo~aw-uRNjTXbz5zB6N2rX2aLzLzjvOKMl6d-dugdoqodB~o6eh63clQgzPFhBPGawlXUhWdmXMzLdCgqwQtrug7vUnugb9hYfQ7ur5oqwNy44-G0YCCTxnTLQ0S-FogoHJZbYDujA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council member Lisa Henderson and Mayor Judd Ashman congratulated staff and project partners during the May 5 meeting after the ribbon-cutting for Gardens of Gaithersburg, a new 78-unit affordable housing development located near MD 355 in the city.

Henderson said the development provides 78 units restricted to households at 60% of area median income (AMI) or below and praised the partnership among the city, Montgomery Housing Partnership (MHP), lenders, and other funding partners. Council member Jim said MHP invested \"over $35,000,000\" in the project and thanked staff and financing partners for bringing affordable homes to the city's core.

Council members described the project as aligned with the city's housing priorities and the council's earlier discussions about preserving and adding affordable units. There was applause from the dais and congratulations to staff and partners during the announcements portion of the meeting.

The council used the announcements period to remind residents of other civic items, including upcoming city elections and events, but no formal council action on the Gardens project was recorded in the meeting minutes; the remarks were celebratory and informational.","Councilmembers and staff marked the ribbon-cutting for Gardens of Gaithersburg, a 78-unit affordable housing development set at 60% of area median income; Montgomery Housing Partnership and lenders contributed financing estimated at more than $35 million.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6248665,"Council member urges review of MDOT Route 124 pedestrian plan amid nearby redevelopment",189,1703000,1892000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3209508-f158b69c8a891f02ce5c9bac51876902&start=1703&end=1892","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3209508-f158b69c8a891f02ce5c9bac51876902/thumbnail_1703000.jpg","/articles/6248665/Gaithersburg-City/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Council-member-urges-review-of-MDOT-Route-124-pedestrian-plan-amid-nearby-redevelopment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248665-f9e637f5ee81ae783347d57e3ee8ca72/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202791&Signature=ay7~h7lP9VuT4c6A3CBtEtXXQhmcdr~oi311qyHXvi3Tkj5ZhimZmqC8VhDuoXVUVuua0FqAbOK7XRbVz6j4pNb2Vnc2vtwIK4VOMfmwAu6GXDPclWa36OEnWKhPxr14GP7PoF9r73keMngWtG8tkfS9GCkgWdv0TTT92kIV~iH5kCRa-uNjKk~eJZOnweYGVGhUZi6DYyx2dqbm5oNPxNljnzm4RBfK2kM6uNExe8wN0GCBRaz0sxUVaF6G2e7EPKFL0UK7BkNDmg6-AdboffZpyrQd~jTdyJsa9PSFia92hlxgul30UaCKrod~Eil8bfgWklSF-i4SF4jZWyBPqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council member Jim told the Mayor and Council on May 5 that he attended a Maryland Department of Transportation public information session about the Route 124 pedestrian improvement project, and he urged the city to examine how the state plan would affect the Route 355 and Route 124 intersection.

Jim described the state project as currently in about 30% design and said it proposes a shared-use path between MD 355 (North Frederick Avenue) and Mid County Highway, extending down to Pier Point. He said Mid County Highway currently lacks sidewalks or a shared-use path for much of the corridor and he asked staff and colleagues to consider extending the proposed shared-use path to the Saybrook Oaks terminus.

Jim also relayed concerns raised by the Montgomery Village Foundation about removal of channelized right-turn lanes and the potential for increased delay through the corridor, particularly with the proposed Gateway at Lake Forest development of more than 400 units that is under review. He noted that the intersection of MD 355 and MD 124 is not included in the state's traffic impact study for the redevelopment because it is part of the state project, and he asked the city to ensure the intersection is reviewed in that broader context.

Jim asked staff to coordinate with state project managers so the city's concerns about traffic flow and pedestrian connections can be considered alongside local redevelopment proposals.","Council member Jim reported on a Maryland Department of Transportation public information session about Route 124 pedestrian improvements and asked staff to ensure the state project considers impacts at the Route 355/124 intersection given planned Lake Forest redevelopment.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6248670,"Gaithersburg adopts permit-parking rules, adds appeals route to Board of Appeals",334,3100000,3434000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3209508-f158b69c8a891f02ce5c9bac51876902&start=3100&end=3434","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3209508-f158b69c8a891f02ce5c9bac51876902/thumbnail_3100000.jpg","/articles/6248670/Gaithersburg-City/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Gaithersburg-adopts-permit-parking-rules-adds-appeals-route-to-Board-of-Appeals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248670-eb2a415af899a05e21fa2baf359c01bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202791&Signature=WVcSEoj9yr9J31bT6OQdqKmZPZ-lYwnRUxwZflLguB-Upbq11vhoAe1nTweUTV3du3yeUSfhiWqQOUcm9545JymKCZsEl9UT5Bca9DxxNtaNDfUQBh-9Nq3jU6SqWLFLhQjlnBLZVfTAnTcuDi~v8pRkmHreso2SlEEA2GpDzCvEZg0UIAxsVZdmKx5I-FaaHGes8WmBBZg5R7A2B20UCnO6VTp~IdMlpg7cBPVkRdIrJIEUnTGLn243iZsHl~~nrzxmZAqPeR4td8GUm1Lk8gRxMFy5JlUUPXzqhVe0NtpB5gm~Ki-G7OyY~1OAytEle2NJnAid8dT1ZH91aN6w9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gaithersburg Mayor and Council approved a set of regulations to govern the city's residential and commercial parking permit programs and set an effective date of July 1, 2025. The adoption vote was 5-0.

Eric Perla, the city's assistant city attorney, said the regulations were introduced March 3, a public hearing was held April 7, and the public record closed April 17. He described staff changes to the draft that respond to council discussion and public comment.

Key revisions adopted in the final regulations include removing homeowners associations from the definition of \"common ownership communities,\" deleting the word \"daytime\" from the definition of short-term visitors so the category applies irrespective of time of day, and adding explicit appeals provisions. Eric said the denial provisions for both residential and commercial petitions were amended to allow the primary contact on a residential petition or an authorized representative of a commercial petitioner to appeal a denial to the city's Board of Appeals pursuant to city code sections 24-11.2 and 24-12.9.

Councilmembers who spoke during the discussion praised staff work and noted the regulations are intended to be a living document that can be amended if practical problems arise. The council voted to adopt the regulations and authorized enactment with the July 1, 2025 effective date.

The regulations establish a formal process for neighborhoods and eligible commercial entities to petition for permit parking, define eligibility and short-term visitor rules, and create an appeals path to the Board of Appeals. The council's adoption brings the permitting program into effect subject to the procedural requirements described in the regulations.","The Mayor and Council approved new residential and commercial parking permit regulations with revisions that remove homeowners associations from an exclusion, broaden the short-term visitor definition and add an appeals path to the city's Board of Appeals; the regulations take effect July 1, 2025.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6248675,"Gaithersburg council adopts FY2026 budget, holds tax rates steady",242,2699000,2941000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3209508-f158b69c8a891f02ce5c9bac51876902&start=2699&end=2941","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3209508-f158b69c8a891f02ce5c9bac51876902/thumbnail_2699000.jpg","/articles/6248675/Gaithersburg-City/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Gaithersburg-council-adopts-FY2026-budget-holds-tax-rates-steady","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248675-81ffb8292377ec45f1a21778d04a76e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202791&Signature=ZrSiinKKA1P6RvVON5djEHle~3u1FhGasN5cjErhq9rSjit3yVy6iTmbJuLNZq~vqwYseaXvqe2JrlKxj7c9C-p0dCvZuE5hZFJ0bOTawC0o-drVTaY5lWBUlVmqY3VRUVRLW6YY-c4LelrN7j405prviX3gapRpUN-xw421clsz5h4AsdQ68Mjd4E3g7kUuV4MnYre2goS~ynHvSwmoaaRfjbHfZTbtBwaZXLl7GlCNyuArB-bAAJR6hL7dYCyN2xZnnbuizbGC4eo4IEyH91tlYMDPkwH3e9QCV3Wbc0avvgHV618Yk41qwuLHOA-0grToxrBJJYShr4KN4HgmXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gaithersburg Mayor and Council adopted the city's fiscal year 2026 budget on May 5 and set the ad valorem tax rates at 26.2 cents per $100 of assessed value for real property and 53 cents per $100 for personal property, unchanged from the prior year. The ordinance passed on a 5-0 vote.

Janice (Director of Finance Administration) told the council the ordinance \"establishes the City budget which provides a complete financial plan including anticipated revenues and proposed expenditures and transfers for the fiscal year 07/01/2025 to 06/30/2026.\" She said a public hearing was advertised in the Washington Post on March 20, 2025 and the record was closed April 23, 2025.

The budget package incorporated several subsequent adjustments since the proposed version discussed in the council's April work session. Janice said general fund revenue decreased by $307,362 overall; among the changes she cited a $100,000 reduction in police fine revenue and a $23,000 reduction in the transfer from the stormwater fund to cover administrative costs. Expenditure changes reflected updated personnel costs and an updated health insurance rate. Capital improvements program adjustments included $500,000 of additional state revenue for the 8 and 12 South Summit Avenue project and timing shifts of expenses across fiscal years. Janice also noted a $100,000 add for a potential joint state-county economic development project and $20,000 for increased leasing costs on undercover police vehicles.

Mayor Judd Ashman thanked staff for the budget book and presentation and the council voted to adopt the ordinance. The council did not record individual roll-call votes in the meeting transcript; minutes show the tally as 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

The ordinance sets the legal levy and the city will proceed into FY2026 under the adopted revenue and spending plan. The council applauded city staff for their work on the budget before moving on to other agenda items.","The Gaithersburg Mayor and Council on May 5 approved the city's fiscal year 2026 budget and kept the ad valorem tax rates unchanged at 26.2 cents per $100 of assessed value for real property and 53 cents per $100 for personal property; the vote was 5-0.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Gaithersburg Q1 economic update: office vacancy improves, retail softens; federal downsizing watched

Gaithersburg celebrates ribbon-cutting for 78 affordable homes at Gardens of Gaithersburg

Council member urges review of MDOT Route 124 pedestrian plan amid nearby redevelopment

Gaithersburg adopts permit-parking rules, adds appeals route to Board of Appeals

Gaithersburg council adopts FY2026 budget, holds tax rates steady