Montgomery County public safety offices are scheduled to move in May to the new public safety headquarters in Gaithersburg—but there's one more big issue to work out.
What will our public safety officers eat?
The brings the Montgomery County Police Department headquarters, the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security, the First District Police Station and parts of the transportation department under one 408,000-square-foot roof.
The building at 100 Edison Park Dr. was formerly the National Geographic Society headquarters. At nearly 50 years old, its cafeteria facilities are inadequate for the county's needs, according to David Dise, director of the county's division of general services.
"It’s going to cost an awful lot over a longer period of time to renovate the entire building," Dise told the Montgomery County Council on Tuesday. While renovations to the cafeteria are being made, the county is looking into providing food trucks stationed at the site to feed personnel.
"My colleagues at Fire and Rescue have taken on that enthusiastic endeavor," Dise joked.
But as the council teased fire and rescue representatives over their culinary expertise, Councilmember Marc Elrich (D-At Large), of Takoma Park, suggested the county look at food trucks as a long-term solution, rather than as a middle ground between brown-bag lunches and a full-service cafeteria.
"I actually think this is a good long-term solution potentially," Elrich said. "People are actually looking at this as a serious way to provide a variety of food you can almost never replicate inside a cafeteria.”
He suggested it would also provide an outlet for small businesses in the county, cost less for the county to maintain and allow for more flexibility in how renovation funds are spent.
"Some of these guys put a ton of money in their trucks. They really are serious food production facilities," Elrich said. "I like this for a lot of different reasons, and I hope it proves to be one of those innovations we can look back and say this was a really good idea."
Councilmember Phil Andrews (D-Dist. 3) of Gaithersburg thanked Elrich for his comments, and said the county would continue to look into options.
What do you think? Are full-time food trucks at the new public safety headquarters a potentially innovative idea, or too over-the-top?
Now go the extra mile and build these dedicated servants a suitable cafeteria...........it's really a no-brainer and more importantly........it's the right thing to do and it shouldn't even be an issue. Also: "I actually think this is a good long-term solution potentially," Elrich said. "People are actually looking at this as a serious way to provide a variety of food you can almost never replicate inside a cafeteria.” I would ask Mr. Elrich............why can't you replicate "truck" food inside a cafeteria?
Are you saying that a cafeteria and or a building are both incapable of handling "special equipment"? I'm curious :) what would be an example of that "special equipment" that could not be duplicated in a "dedicated" fixture?
Can you imagine if the county council had to line up at a food truck?
Your post has me laughing.
While I agree with you on your points, I have reservations about so many essential agencies being under one roof. My concern is if something should happen that puts the building out of service, several agencies would need to find new quarters. In the case of Public Safety agencies, this could have the potential for disaster. I can only hope that Montgomery County is up to date on their disaster preparedness.
http://foodtruckfiesta.com/bbq-bus-food-truck/ It's not that they can't handle having special equipment, it's just that it's not cost effective for them to own it, maintain it, train employees to operate it, and sell whatever is made from it. Same thing with certain types of food, handling and preparing it is typically above the skill of cafeteria workers. Food truck vendors are typically in the restaurant industry and have professional experience. Cafeteria workers are not typically of that caliber. Having worked in a cafeteria, it would surprise me if one could handle the diverse choices food trucks offer: http://foodtruckfiesta.com/ I'm not saying that the food truck idea is a good one, or even suitable, just that the former governor has a valid point regarding variety.
"While I agree with you on your points, I have reservations about so many essential agencies being under one roof. My concern is if something should happen that puts the building out of service, several agencies would need to find new quarters." Good point, it could indeed be a problem.
" Food truck vendors are typically in the restaurant industry and have professional experience. Cafeteria workers are not typically of that caliber. " That's a terrible generalization about cafeteria workers. Everything you mention could be handled in some way inside of a building. It's possible to smoke meat inside, ever been to Branded72? Diversity in food? You honestly don't think a cafeteria style set-up can't handle diverse food? FYI: Our former Gov. was NOT Mark Elrich (D-At Large), of Takoma Park, who's comment is in this article, it was Bob Ehrlich Don't know what Bob's view is on the diversity of food one can get from the "back of truck".
What's your standard for diverse? The original quote said it was a level of diversity that food trucks offer. Given my experience with food trucks and cafeterias, I'm inclined to agree. My generalization is based on my experience, which obviously is not a good basis as a survey of all cafeterias ever in the history of cafeteria workers. I've been to places that have smoked barbeque indoors (Smoke and Barrel DC). I have never seen a cafeteria with one though. Have you? Just so we're clear Jeff, I do actually agree with you that they should build a cafeteria. CorpFoods actually makes a lot of good points below. My mistake on the misidentification of the politician making the quote, thanks for correcting me.
Bingo......
"I've been to places that have smoked barbeque indoors (Smoke and Barrel DC). I have never seen a cafeteria with one though. Have you?" Yes..... the already mentioned Branded 72 in Rockville is cafeteria style, so yes I have seen one
Theresa you have exposed yourself as the whining, hand-wringing, person that I suspected that you were after your immature back and forth with that other woman.
Branded 72 looks good I will probably check it out sometime when I get up towards that part of the county.
A combination of food trucks and a cafeteria would be a suitable options. This allows for a competitive enviornment and multiple food options. Cafeterias are limited to daily specials and food trucks are limited to whatever their 'niche' might be, but combining the two is a win win for all! ColesPalette.com
Mighty fine new campus the county is using. Maybe they can fish for lunch in the huge lake in front of the building. If the firefighters are on the fireground they eat off the canteen truck. Maybe we can get the doughnut shop to relocate. Seriously, what do other businesses do? Many go out for lunch, bring their lunch or have food delivered. OMG The workers may have to brave the elements to get lunch. The real question is how much money is the county spending? Let the people in the food trucks sell to county workers. This just seems like more poor planning on the part of the county.
If your managing a food crisis at HQ, you're taking resources away from managing the incident. Let's not skimp on public safety on this one...