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 existing structures at 5260 Western Avenue are being demolished as part of the Friendship Commons project.
The existing building will be demolished to help ready the site for future redevelopment.
Yes. The entire structure will be cleared.
The project team is finalizing permitting with Montgomery County's Department of Permitting Services (DPS). Structural demolition could begin in the near term following DPS’s issuance of the raze permit. Raze work will only proceed in areas that have been fully abated and confirmed to be in compliance with applicable state and federal regulations.
Yes. Required approvals are being obtained from the appropriate authorities prior to commencing each stage of work, including Montgomery County and the MDE.
At a public meeting in late June, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) reported that it has found no violations at any of its site visits, which have included unannounced inspections. All results from air monitoring conducted outside the containment areas have been below regulatory limits. All abatement work is performed exclusively by professionals licensed by the State of Maryland, and MDE has directly observed the interior containment controls during its visits.
Both the state and the county have a role. Montgomery County's Department of Permitting Services (DPS) issues the demolition permit, and MDE reviews and oversees the abatement work, including through site inspections. A full-time industrial hygienist is also on site to monitor conditions and verify the work. Berg Demo Group, LLC and Progress Environmental are performing the work under this oversight.
The same safeguards used throughout this project remain in place, including fence-line air monitoring around the site perimeter, wet methods to suppress dust, and perimeter fencing with debris screening. The work is subject to ongoing oversight from MDE and Montgomery County, including DPS inspections for compliance with the raze permit's requirements.
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.
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.
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.
As part of the project team's commitment to transparency, we are sharing the Hazardous Building Materials Survey discussed at the June community meeting, which is available here. We anticipate sharing additional documentation through our community updates as the project progresses, and will continue to keep the community informed.
Visit friendshipcommons.com for the latest community updates, FAQs, and a direct line to the project team. We review and respond to every question submitted through the site.
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.
Any tree removal connected to this site is governed by the approved Forest Conservation Plan (FCP) filed with Montgomery County. Only trees identified in the approved plan will be impacted. The FCP can be viewed here.
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.
The team has put several proactive measures in place, including: perimeter fencing with debris screening around the full site boundary; continuous atmospheric monitoring to evaluate air quality conditions; approved erosion and sediment control measures per Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services requirements; and wet methods such as pre-wetting materials, water misting, and applying water to debris during handling and loading to suppress dust and limit airborne particulates.
The project team understands that neighbors may have concerns about noise. A Noise Suppression Plan (NSP) has been submitted to the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection for approval. Under the plan, noise levels would be allowed up to 85 dBA in accordance with the Montgomery County Noise Control Ordinance. Noise-generating activities would be permitted only during weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays. The team will also conduct periodic noise monitoring around the perimeter of the site. More information about the NSP can be found on Montgomery County's website.
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.
Large transfer trailers are being used for debris removal rather than standard dumpsters. This meaningfully reduces the number of truck trips in and out of the neighborhood.
During the interior preparation phase, the building interiors are being stripped before removal to maximize recycling of salvageable materials and reduce what goes to the landfill. Recycling percentages are consistent with LEED and Montgomery County standards.
All required abatement work will be completed by licensed professionals in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and MDE approvals, using appropriate containment, air monitoring, and third-party clearance procedures to protect workers and the surrounding community.
Nearly. Abatement of regulated materials has been completed and confirmed to Montgomery County in multiple sections of the building. A limited amount of abatement work continues in other contained portions of the building and is expected to conclude in the near term.
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.
