Friendship Commons Community Update

As we head into spring, we want to share a brief update on what's happening at the Friendship Commons site and what neighbors can expect in the weeks and months ahead.

Where Things Stand Today

In November 2025, the Montgomery County Planning Board unanimously approved the Preliminary Plan Amendment for the redevelopment of the site. This decision keeps future uses of the site aligned with existing County planning requirements. 

You may have seen news reports that 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.

What Comes Next 

Last month, GEICO employees began reporting to work at the company’s new headquarters in Bethesda. As the relocation is now complete, preparations will begin for the eventual demolition of the two existing buildings at Friendship Commons. The demolition process will be managed by experienced contractors on GEICO's behalf, with oversight from JM Zell. 

Over the coming weeks, neighbors will see some on-site activity related to building clean-out, utility preparation, and tree preservation or removal work that has been approved through the Forest Conservation Plan and is related only to pre-demolition activities. 

In early April, a single tree that has been classified as dead wood by the County will be removed for public safety reasons. 

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.  Before any demolition work occurs during the summer months, a formal permit application process is required by Montgomery County. This process includes public notice, environmental protections, safety reviews, and permit approvals. 

As this work progresses, GEICO parking lots will no longer be available for public use, and parking restrictions will be enforced. 

We are committed to keeping the community informed as this process moves forward.

Our Commitment to the Community 

We understand that redevelopment involves many moving parts and that construction-related activity can raise questions. 

Throughout the demolition process, our goal is to share information early, explain what’s happening and why, and make it easy to reach us with questions or concerns.

We will continue to share updates at FriendshipCommons.com where you can read answers to frequently asked questions and sign up for future updates. You can also learn more about the future redevelopment of the site here. 

Thank you for your interest and engagement. We look forward to continuing the conversation as Friendship Commons moves ahead.