Riemer hopes to urbanize parts of Montgomery. Not everyone’s on board.

Hans Riemer crossed a street in downtown Bethesda lined with newly constructed high-end shopping and dining, surveying a Georgetown Cupcake shop and Kendra Scott Jewelry Store. As a Montgomery County Council member, he feels partly responsible for pioneering the new development that’s added housing and businesses, and attracted customers. He’s proud of the downtown center, complete with painted bike lanes and skyscraping office buildings. It represents what he hopes the county could become under his leadership as Montgomery County Executive — a well-developed community with more downtown centers and affordable housing to provide jobs and attract younger generations.