FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What to Know
Questions about what’s coming, what’s changing, and how the project will unfold? Below you’ll find answers to the most common questions about the vision, timeline, community benefits, and development process.
The Montgomery County Planning Board recently approved a Preliminary Plan Amendment for the property that allows for the redevelopment of the property consistent with the County’s land use goals and objectives for the Friendship Heights area. Before any new development takes place, the existing building on the property will be demolished to help prepare the site for redevelopment.
GEICO has entered into an agreement to sell the property to EYA, which will lead the redevelopment of the site together with Bernstein Management. With a strong track record of creating walkable, urban communities in Montgomery County, EYA brings deep expertise to the project and has already begun sharing its vision for Phase 1 of the redevelopment with the community.
On February 19, 2026, EYA held a pre-submission meeting of neighbors to present early concepts for Phase 1 of the redevelopment, and on March 6, EYA submitted a site plan and Preliminary Plan to the Montgomery County Planning Board for review.
This review process is expected to take several months, and the community will be notified of upcoming Planning Board meetings as they are scheduled. For more information on EYA’s Site Plan and Preliminary Plan, please visit: www.5260western.com.
The existing building will be demolished to help ready the site for future redevelopment.
The Preliminary Plan Amendment unanimously approved by the Montgomery County Planning Board in October 2025, allows for the development of the property consistent with the County’s land use goals and objectives for the Friendship Heights area. The pending Forest Conservation Plan (FCP) submitted on December 26, 2025, is necessary under current law and must be approved in order to move forward with the demolition of the existing structure to help ready the site for future redevelopment.
You can read the Preliminary Plan Amendment approval resolution here and review the Forest Conservation Plan Application here.
All new development requires Montgomery County Planning Board approval of a Forest Conservation Plan (FCP). In this case, an FCP was filed to allow for the demolition of the existing building on the site. The FCP designates which existing trees can be saved, which ones can be removed, and what new trees will be planted. Under the FCP application, 26 trees – a small fraction of the number of trees on site – will be removed to allow for the demolition of the building and 32 new trees will be planted on the property. As with the preliminary plan amendment, a new FCP will need to be filed detailing plans for the future development of the site and address all applicable environmental standards and regulatory requirements such as but not limited to the Forest Conservation Law/Regulations, Trees Technical Manual, Environmental Guidelines, Noise Guidelines, environmental recommendations of the Master Plan, etc.
Over 3.5 acres will be dedicated to expand Brookdale Park and improve pedestrian access to the park. Under the FCP, 32 new trees will be planted within the Brookdale Park portion of the property, as well as along the greenway area between the property and Brookdale Park. Any future FCP for redevelopment of the property is expected to include the planting of hundreds of new trees consistent with County standards for the size and species of trees to be replanted and maintenance will be required for both newly planted trees and those to be retained.
Following the County’s review and approval of the FCP, the trees identified for removal near the existing structure will be cleared. In early April, a single tree that has been classified as dead wood by the County will be removed for public safety reasons.
Yes. The entire structure will be cleared.
Demolition of the existing structures will commence sometime in Summer 2026, following approval of the FCP and demolition permit application.
Plans for the demolition are still under development. The duration of the demolition has yet to be determined but will be done as expeditiously as possible. This website will be updated frequently with new information or you can sign up for updates.
Yes. Access will be restricted during the demolition process, consistent with a site safety plan that will be shared in more detail prior to the demolition. Fencing will also be installed around the perimeter of the property as required for public safety during this phase. We recognize the importance of access to the Metro and nearby park and will continue to share information as plans are finalized.
Yes. A fence will be placed, consistent with a site safety plan that will be shared in more detail. Any fencing will include screening to shield the construction area from the community.
Yes. The sidewalks around the property will remain open to the public during the demolition process.
Yes. A site safety plan will be prepared prior to any demolition. The plan will outline steps to monitor and control dust from the demolition and maintain air quality standards.
There will be some noise during the demolition process. The demolition will take place only during approved working hours and consistent with County regulations.
Yes. Some large equipment will be used during the demolition but only during County approved working hours.
The equipment will be staged on the property behind the perimeter fencing. As noted above, the fencing will include screening to shield the construction area from the community.
Egress and ingress to the property will be by a designated entrance and detailed in the site safety plan.
During normal working hours and consistent with all County rules and regulations.
GEICO has entered into an agreement to sell the property to EYA, which will lead the redevelopment of the site together with Bernstein Management. With a strong track record of creating walkable, urban communities in Montgomery County, EYA brings deep expertise to the project and has already begun sharing its vision for Phase 1 of the redevelopment with the community.
On February 19, 2026, EYA held a pre-submission meeting of neighbors to present early concepts for Phase 1 of the redevelopment, and on March 6, EYA submitted a site plan and Preliminary Plan to the Montgomery County Planning Board for review.
This review process is expected to take several months, and the community will be notified of upcoming Planning Board meetings as they are scheduled. For more information on EYA’s Site Plan and Preliminary Plan, please visit: www.5260western.com.
