Silver Spring Development News

[pennster]

Originally Posted by NovaWolverine

I know what you're saying, but unfortunately it is a suburb b/c of reasons aside from it's own development level, it's proximity to a place orders in magnitude more important. It's not on the development level of places such as Oakland or Jersey City that are hard for me to look at as suburbs, but it's built up plenty. It's not suburban, that's not what I said. The definition of suburb may have changed. It's an edge city, but isn't prominent enough for me to exclude it from being a suburb like parts of arlington and alexandria are.

The feeling across the borders is not mutual. As you said yourself, we're leeching off the land that you guys gave to be apart of DC and we're competing with you all. We're sprawly, internet capital, more concentrated educated ppl, more biotech..blah, blah, whatever you can say to feel superior.

Silver Spring will keep developing more and more and more, and people's idea of it will change even more, I think sooner or later it will lose the stigma you're thinking about, but I still think it's a suburb and I don't at all think of it as a Rockville or an Oakton.

Suburb by its very definition is a place that is less than urban; that is where the "sub" in suburban comes from. It is not the location of the place relative to another that matters. The stereotypical definition is that a suburb is to be located outside of a major city, but that is only because suburbs actually fit the stereotypical definition for a while. Some "suburbs" like Silver Spring matured and became urban cores, just as downtown DC had to do at one time. One could argue that White Oak, Colesville, and even Wheaton are suburbs of downtown Silver Spring. People come to visit me and marvel at how urban Bethesda and Silver Spring are--it is simply not something you see everyday. The reason for DC's unique inner "suburbs" is probably partly because of DC proper's small size and partly because of Metro.

In response to an earlier post about how you think that Marylanders feel outdone by the pace of development in VA, it simply isn't true. Sprawling development isn't anyone's idea of good development. It hinders quality of life, and you end up with a place such as Tysons Corner, which has to be rebuilt from scratch in order for it to become a born-again urban center. As a result you have Montgomery County's population growing 1.6 times faster than Fairfax County's, adding 50,000 people between 2000 and 2004 compared with Fairfax's 34,000. If Fairfax had been less concerned with luring tech companies to the Dulles corridor, and instead had balanced bringing the new companies in while also practicing intelligent planning, it wouldn't be in the situation it is in now, attempting to transform glorified office parks into "urban" centers. Yes, it would have potentially had to develop slower, but quality is what life is about and what matters in the end, not quantity.

Remember the tech bubble? It hit NoVa HARD. MoCo has biotech, which has been steadily growing; and though it receives less publicity than the type of helter skelter development in Fairfax, is quickly picking up pace.

I don't go to Fairfax very often, because frankly, there's no center where I can go, park the car, and do whatever I'd like to do--be entertained, fed, and laze around (and no, I don't consider Tysons Corner Center to be that place--I could just as well go to any other mall). Maybe once Tysons Corner has been realized, and the Metro has been extended, will I actually want to venture into Fairfax.

Many parts of Arlington, on the other hand, and Reston (in Fairfax!) are quality urban centers even though they are outside of D.C. Ballston is in many ways similar to Bethesda and Silver Spring, and I feel no resentment towards it. I even venture into Ballston from time to time for restaurants and friends.

From your attitude, I would have to think that someone in Fairfax, VA is jealous (and don't deny it, I'm not trying to be condescending, just blunt) that they must drive everywhere in order to do their daily business, and that there are no true urban centers (yet) where you can live, work, and play, and get where you need to go without a car--Reston is still under construction, and Tysons Corner hasn't even started.

Fairfax suffers from being somewhat removed from DC proper, Arlington being in the way, and thus Metro wasn't designated to go far into Fairfax County. But now that it will, it is time for changes. Do you know where planners in Fairfax County looked to find how they wanted the area to look in 25 years? That's right, Ballston, Bethesda and Silver Spring, urban centers that are the very epitome of quality urban planning.

Oh, and by the way, Fairfax and Montgomery overall have IDENTICAL percentages of persons with a bachelor degree or higher, while downcounty MoCo (Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and Silver Spring) has the highest concentration of people with postgraduate degrees in the area, and one of, if not the, highest in the country.

[newyorkrunaway1]

i love silverspring maryland. when i made my last trip to dc, i made it a point to make it here. it is a beautiful city and i recomend anyone in dc or balitmore are to go here. the metro drops you off right in the middle of it all.

[NovaWolverine]

Not that it's a big deal, but in response to pennster, I don't know that many fairfax residents are distraught that they have to cross an arbitrary line to areas of alexandria, arlington, dc or MD to go have fun in an urban environment. Outside of Silver Spring and Bethesda/Chevy Chase, that's all there is in MD suburbs like that anyway. And aside from some nice shopping in Chevy Chase, there isn't really all that much there that can't be had in Arlington or Alexandria, and nothing that can't be had in DC. The traffic can be bad, but it's not that much of a pain in the ass to usually drive 15-30 minutes on occasion to go somewhere like that, and there are recreational areas that are nice where you can enjoy yourself too. I simply don't look at it so rigidly as many do, many MD forumers surely, from reading some posts. The economy is doing fine, and diversifying more by the day in fairfax, I'm working in the biotech industry for a company that recently moved it's HQs from Rockville to Fairfax, much of the development in biotech is happening in loudoun and prince william, but it's still a priority for fairfax people, and northern va, which is really the designation people refer too, not fairfax. Biotech and expanding it's research capabilities is definitely a priority for northern va.

I know Ballston and Silver Spring were models, and that's great, and I hope they're closer to resembling them in a decade or two. It will be great for those who live in fairfax county to have some more urban options.

Mistakes have been made, but I certainly don't believe that Fairfax in dire straits like many would like to have people believe, not necessarily you. Montgomery County in land area is much larger than Fairfax, and I'd love to see where and in what fashion the bulk of that population growth took place, although it's better than Fairfax. 34,000 people in the grand scheme of things is healthy, Loudoun grew by like 100k, but I don't think it's necessarily that healthy of growth. The growth in Fairfax, if the planners get it right, will certainly be healthy.

The crime is becoming a problem relative to where it was, I hope it gets better, the schools remain good, the growth, planning and development is better, the government is relatively good, aside from really one aspect, the quality of life is getting better, using your criteria, which I agree with, I will hold my tongue for another few yrs before I can come to a real conclusion. But I remain optimistic for the entire DC Metro barring some unforseen mishap.

I've read that stat about MoCo before, and that's defintely a great thing for it, but I really don't see many clutching themselves in disappointment across the river, as long as the people here are alright in northern virginia I guess most people are content. Quality of life in northern va outside of a few issues, traffic being the only significant one IMO, not culture, is just fine.

[Silver Springer]

Defense Firm [Leaves Northern Virginia] ,Moves Offices to Rockville

By Michael S. Rosenwald
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, May 25, 2006; Page GZ15

New Age Security Solutions Corp., a Northern Virginia counter-terrorism technology consulting firm, has moved its operations to Montgomery County, bringing with it 10 jobs, and plans to expand quickly in the future.

The defense specialist, which is relocating to Rockville, is one of three new technology companies to move recently into private office space in the county.

New Age Security is joined by two recent graduates of county incubators: NetImmune Inc., an information technology firm, and Applied Cell Sciences Inc., a biotechnology firm.

New Age, previously based in Tysons Corner, originated in Israel and is led by Rafi Ron, who in three decades of security work rose to head security at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.

The company bases its security programs in law enforcement, aviation and port authorities on procedures developed in Israel.

"New Age Security Solutions is exactly the type of innovative company we work hard to attract to our county, and we look forward to working with them to ensure they continue to grow and prosper here," County Executive Douglas M. Duncan said in a statement.

County officials are offering the firm workforce recruitment and training.

The company is also receiving help from the Maryland/Israel Development Center, a public-private partnership.

"NASSCorp. is one of the top homeland security consulting companies, using knowledge and techniques developed in Israel's long struggle in the war on terror," said Barry Bogage, executive director of the center. "We're proud to have them in Maryland."

Meanwhile, Applied Cell Sciences Inc. became the 31st company to graduate from the county's first high-tech incubator, moving into offices on Key West Avenue in Rockville. The firm provides drug discovery services.

NetImmune is the first graduate of the Silver Spring Innovation Center, a new county incubator. The company, which was recently acquired by RioRey Inc. of Bethesda, designs programs to prevent Internet attacks.

Have some business news about Montgomery County? Send an e-mail torosenwaldm@washpost.com.

[NovaWolverine]

Ya know..I really really really try not to incite any kind of competition or strife with other area forumers, I personally don't see why it is this way. I can tell you that, while there aren't that many DC forumers on the VA side, success isn't measured primarily relative to the neighboring county, I don't know why it's that way over there.

I barely even mentioned Northern VA in my initial posts, and if I did, it certainly wasn't in matching it up with Montgomery County. This isn't my knee jerk method of thinking as it seems it is with many forumers. I'm pretty sure it was someone else who looked at my screename and got pissed that I called Silver Spring a suburb. And I still love the place to death, by the way.

But the 10 more jobs coming to Rockville is some good news congrats. Both counties are still growing modestly and getting more jobs and economic activity into the area.

[Silver Springer]

Originally Posted by NovaWolverine

Not that it's a big deal, but in response to pennster, I don't know that many fairfax residents are distraught that they have to cross an arbitrary line to areas of alexandria, arlington, dc or MD to go have fun in an urban environment. Outside of Silver Spring and Bethesda/Chevy Chase, that's all there is in MD suburbs like that anyway. And aside from some nice shopping in Chevy Chase, there isn't really all that much there that can't be had in Arlington or Alexandria, and nothing that can't be had in DC. The traffic can be bad, but it's not that much of a pain in the ass to usually drive 15-30 minutes on occasion to go somewhere like that, and there are recreational areas that are nice where you can enjoy yourself too. I simply don't look at it so rigidly as many do, many MD forumers surely, from reading some posts. The economy is doing fine, and diversifying more by the day in fairfax, I'm working in the biotech industry for a company that recently moved it's HQs from Rockville to Fairfax, much of the development in biotech is happening in loudoun and prince william, but it's still a priority for fairfax people, and northern va, which is really the designation people refer too, not fairfax. Biotech and expanding it's research capabilities is definitely a priority for northern va.

I know Ballston and Silver Spring were models, and that's great, and I hope they're closer to resembling them in a decade or two. It will be great for those who live in fairfax county to have some more urban options.

Mistakes have been made, but I certainly don't believe that Fairfax in dire straits like many would like to have people believe, not necessarily you. Montgomery County in land area is much larger than Fairfax, and I'd love to see where and in what fashion the bulk of that population growth took place, although it's better than Fairfax. 34,000 people in the grand scheme of things is healthy, Loudoun grew by like 100k, but I don't think it's necessarily that healthy of growth. The growth in Fairfax, if the planners get it right, will certainly be healthy.

The crime is becoming a problem relative to where it was, I hope it gets better, the schools remain good, the growth, planning and development is better, the government is relatively good, aside from really one aspect, the quality of life is getting better, using your criteria, which I agree with, I will hold my tongue for another few yrs before I can come to a real conclusion. But I remain optimistic for the entire DC Metro barring some unforseen mishap.

I've read that stat about MoCo before, and that's defintely a great thing for it, but I really don't see many clutching themselves in disappointment across the river, as long as the people here are alright in northern virginia I guess most people are content. Quality of life in northern va outside of a few issues, traffic being the only significant one IMO, not culture, is just fine.

I only posted that article because of your comment in bold. I'm not trying to instigate but you may try to act like your taking a neutral stance but your bias shows clearly, you didn't call yourself NovaWolverine for nothing. To me it all comes down to fairness and I take it as an offense when somebody says "everything is fine" in this regional economy when their are places like Prince Georges County that get treated like crap. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Maryland donated the land for D.C. that fuels Va's growth, while what is now Arlington county was receded so they could maintain slave ownership. You may say it was a long time ago but that is irrelevant and I think a token of gratitude that is never spoken and seems to be forgotten should come from others. The federal government even seems to have a bias towards Va as well.

When you post comments like the above in bold it shows where you stand. You seem to be boasting. Quite frankly I don't think Virginia deserves a crumb of the Biotech industry. There is no "fair share" like some officials might believe. I don't recall Northern Virginia saying “Maryland needs a fair share” (or Maryland its self) when it was touting its self as the "Internet Capital of the World" while at the same time trying to take Marriott and Discovery. Now that it's weaker since AOL merged and MCI went belly up it is focusing on the Biotech industry. Competition is the name of the game and that is fine but I don't think Va is entitled to it like they believe. Thankfully Maryland is very far ahead Va in this industry (although I hope they would diversify) with the largest incubator in the county going up along route 29 and FDA in Silver Spring as well as the John Hopkins and UMB BioParks in Baltimore, M Square at UMD College Park and other incubators around the state.

By all means I never want Montgomery County or any part of Maryland to emulate Fairfax's and Loudon's method of growth. They have terrible land use decisions and in a way they seem to have sold their soul for the sake of business. I don't think we have to go that route to entice more firms to come to MD. Like Pennster said Montgomery County is far more balanced, whether it is business, land use, schools, transportation, diversity etc.

To say that "Outside of Silver Spring and Bethesda/Chevy Chase, that's all there is in MD suburbs like that anyway" is trying to downplay a great achievement IMO and even after those two, parts of Rockville,Gaithersburg, College Park, Laurel etc make logical sense of why they are there. Fairfax and Loudon have ZERO places like these, while you can see the contained method of growth in Montgomery County and why the places grew where they did, there is no logic to Fairfax's and Loudons madness, they threw up a town where ever they saw bare cheap piece of land. Silver Spring and Bethesda combined would rival some major cities downtowns. That is amazing and shows an excellent, efficient use of land that in affect has created cities that have a culture and unique character of their own. These are cities in the suburbs, besides just being suburbs like you make yourself believe. It is ironic that Montgomery County is larger in geographical size than Fairfax but made better use of their land and now Fairfax is regretting their nonchalant attitude.

I don't hate Northern Virginia but sometimes there is only one piece of pie to go around. My taxes go to the State of Maryland; any negative impact to the state will affect my well being and quality of life. If a negative impact happens to Va, it will not affect me, or at least not as much as if it happened to my home state.

[pennster]

Novawolverine, while the bulk of the area internet companies is in Northern Virginia along 267, there are definitely large pieces of it in Maryland. And while the bulk of area biotech companies is in suburban Maryland, namely the I-270 and (now) 29 corridors, there will be pieces of it in Northern Virginia. It doesn't mean NoVa is now suddenly prioritizing biotech or Maryland is prioritizing tech companies, it just means that there is definitely spillover. Maryland's technological, governmental, and academic infrastructure (UMD, JHU, NIH, FDA, Nat'l Med Library, Montgomery College, etc.) is arranged in such a way that it makes sense that the biotech industry would grow here; and it makes sense that internet companies would locate in NoVa, at least now that many of them are there already.

[pennster]

Silver Springer, I'm surprised you didn't post this here, as well. This was taken from Silver Spring Scene.

Silver Spring Scene Exclusive: Unveiling of the Fenton Village Redevelopment

The Silver Spring Scene was there to see the first time presentation of the large redevelopment planned by Michael, LLC for the Fenton Village area of downtown Silver Spring. The presentation, held in the Spring room of the Crown Plaza hotel (which was very nice inside), was a pleasant surprise. Although in the preliminary stages, the project known as Studio Plaza, taking the parcels at 914 Georgia Avenue, 8241 Georgia Avenue and 919 Silver Spring Avenue, is ripe with an architectural design worthy of downtown Washington, D.C. Designed by SK&I architect’s the building indicates use of high quality materials and some curvilinear forms. The developer is quoted as saying he wants a "Timeless design".

With the slew of condo buildings coming down the pipeline, it was refreshing to see this impressive project add some sorely needed office space to the downtown. Michael, LLC is also developing an elegant 2 story dance studio space and retail building by the eastern portion of Fenton Street, between Thayer Avenue and Silver Spring Avenue.

A few attendees complained about the project not having enough parking spaces, while ironically at the same time unhappy with the possibility of more vehicular traffic. Also noteworthy is that the project leaves the historical buildings fronting Georgia Avenue untouched. Together with the Adele mixed use project along Fenton Street and Thayer Avenue, the Fenton Village area is expected have a healthy revitalization.

Highlights:

-8 Story office building consisting of 160,000+ square feet.

-8 Story residential condominium building consisting of 230 units with 31 MPDU's.

-Each building will have ground floor retail.

-The buildings will meet the zoning law height of maximum 90’ feet.

-Completion planned for 2010.

The residential component:


The office component:


Map:



While I love the architecture, I think that the building heights should be raised. Zoning needs to change in downtown Silver Spring. Current zoning reflects a different time.

[NovaWolverine]

If my name were DCWolverine, and I said I lived in Arlington, I'd have ppl saying that I don't even live in DC why is that my name. My name, NovaWolverine, tells others that I'm from Nova, and I'm a Wolverine, that's it, it doesn't tell you where I've lived, what I'm like as a person or any of that. Any unbiased person can tell you that among the small following of DC residents in these urban issue boards, most of them are from or show alignment with MD, and I'm simply supplying balance, I love the DC area, and I sincerely mean it, I love MD and VA. Again I've lived and went to school in all parts of metro and I have tons of family and friends all over the place. You shouldn't castigate or judge someone just b/c of their screename.

"Rockville,Gaithersburg, College Park, Laurel etc make logical sense of why they are there. Fairfax and Loudon have ZERO places like these"

First of all, I didn't say what I said before to slight the achievment that is Silver Spring and Bethesda area, they're very nice. But this quote shows great ignorance on your part. Please enlighten me what is so special about any of the places above that Fairfax and Loudoun have zero places like these. Aside from UM being in College Park, there is little that is unique about the above relative to the other side of the river. You may disagree, but this is a statement I would never make. My original statement is absolutely true. Aside from Bethesda and Silver Spring, there is no real other true large urban area that's so unique and great. So I'm tired of hearing how sprawly places like Gaithersburg and Rockville and Laurel are so much different that the sprawly places in Northern VA. Northern VA has it's work cut out for it, but people that are interested know that there are steps being made to becoming better. I don't see why there is almost always a cheap shot at Northern VA. And again, you may disagree but Bethesda and Silver Spring, bordering the District, are completely different things that can be compared to Fairfax. VA is urban where it borders DC also. It's an asset to Montgomery County definitely but I don't see why it's made out to sound like planning is the only reason a center like that isn't in Fairfax County. If you want to do the tit for tat thing, there's no way you can exclude Arlington and Alexandria IMO. In general Montgomery County has been wise in their planning definitely, wiser than anywhere in Nova, you should be proud, but involving fairfax in it isn't necessary.

I don't live by the comparison of Fairfax to Montgomery like some do, it's not how I gauge success, and while you say competition is the name of the game, I don't want to hear from anyone how one side is being dirty.

Spillover or not, this just sounds to me that you are slighting VA's success, not using my logic, but silver springer's. I'm not saying that VA is prioritizing biotech for no reason, there have been articles talking about this move. It may well never be as big in this as MD is, and that is perfectly fine, it's not the goal at all.

We're both biased, but I personally don't think I'm as biased as you or many other posters from the area. Me saying that I work for a biotech company is just showing an example of growth and existence of the industry in va, not rubbing it in MD's face, although I can see how it could be interpreted that way. I don't take cheap shots and spit in MD's face in every one of my sentences as many do with VA. Maryland has a lot going for it, and it does make sense that the states have their niche industries, I absolutely agree with that.

[vivo]

Originally Posted by Molo

Silver Spring is a city, not a suburb.
It's like Richmond, Towson or Wilmington...maybe larger.
There's nothing urban about anything in northern VA. (All highway and midrises)

I think it has a suburb feel like Annapolis.
Now Columbia is a suburb...probably 60% Bmore--40% DC. Hell, the entire Howard county is for that matter. Buses don't even go there, let alone trains.

I group all these suburbs together...Huntvalley, Fairfax, Columbia, Arlington, Owings Mills, Alexandria, Woodlawn.

Silver Spring can hold its own.

this is referring to an oold post but i stumbled across it again. also does one of the marc lines go through howard co?

[JAB323]

Originally Posted by vivo

this is referring to an oold post but i stumbled across it again. also does one of the marc lines go through howard co?

Yeah, the Camden (Blue) Line runs through the eastern edge, with stops in Savage, Jessup, and Dorsey.

[Raleigh-NC]

Fantastic thread!!! Keep the photos and the updates coming

[Silver Springer]

Hollywood comes to Silver Spring

Washington Business Journal - 2:55 PM EDT Wednesdayby Jennifer Nycz-ConnerStaff Writer

http://www.bizjournals.com/washingto...tml?from_rss=1

Forget Hollywood and Vine. The entertainment scene last night was at Georgia and Colesville.

Downtown Silver Spring rolled out the red carpet last night as film and television executives, producers and movie fans gathered at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center for the opening night of the SIlverdocs: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Film Festival.



The festival kicked off with a screening of "Boffo! Tinseltown's Bombs and Blockbusters," a documentary inspired by Variety editor Peter Bart's book which celebrates the trade publication's 100th anniversary.

Pre-film introductions were made by AFI chief Jean Picker Firstenberg, who recently announced that she will be retiring in 2007; Discovery CEO Judith McHale; festival director Patricia Finneran; and Motion Picture Association of American chairman and CEO Dan Glickman. Glickman's predecessor and long-time MPAA chief Jack Valenti was also on hand.

Following the film, the sold-out house participated in a question and answer session with the film's director Bill Couturie, Variety publisher Charlie Koones and Bart. The discussion was moderated by National Public Radio's Liane Hansen.

After the discussion, lifesize blockbuster icons including Batman, a giant shark and a penguin escorted guests to AFI neighbor Discovery Communications for a gala reception.

[Silver Springer]

AFI cements plans for Walk of Fame in Silver Spring

Washington Business Journal - 1:34 PM EDT Thursdayby Jennifer Nycz-ConnerStaff Writer

http://www.bizjournals.com/washingto...tml?from_rss=1

Martin Scorsese isn't exactly the kind of guy you can walk all over.

Unless, of course, you're in Silver Spring.



At the June 13 opening night of the Silverdocs: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival, AFI chief Jean Picker Firstenberg announced that a Walk of Fame featuring all of the AFI Life Achievement Award winners will soon adorn Colesville Road in front of the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center.

One of the first stars to grace the walk will be that of Martin Scorsese, who is in town Thursday night as the guest of honor during the festival's Charles Guggenheim Symposium. AFI honored Scorsese with the Life Achievement Award in 1997.

Additional stars on the walk honoring past and future honorees will follow, with room to accommodate 100.

[Silver Springer]

Bikers to take to Silver Spring streets in Grand Prix

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Talk of the Town Meredith Hooker

On Sunday, cyclists will fill downtown Silver Spring’s streets during the second annual Martens Volvo Grand Prix of Silver Spring. The event, to be held rain or shine, is sponsored by the Montgomery College Takoma Park-Silver Spring campus.

Bikers — including children in a race for kids up to age 9 — will circle a 1-kilometer course. Streets include Ellsworth Drive, Georgia Avenue, Bonifant and Fenton streets. The races start 8 a.m. The children’s race will be at 11 a.m. Registration for the children’s race starts 9 a.m. and closes 10:30 a.m. in front of Lebanese Taverna at the Silver Plaza. Children race for free. E-mail kids’ race inquiries to kidsrace@dcvelo.com

For more information about other races, go to www.dcvelo.com. Registration for adult races closes 11:45 a.m. Thursday. To register online, go to www.bikereg.com. The entry fee for adult riders is $30.

Update on Silver SpringVeterans Plaza

An update on the status of downtown Silver Spring’s Veterans Plaza and civic building will be presented 7:30 p.m. Thursday at American Legion Post 41, 905 Sligo Ave.

The project has been in the works since the former Silver Spring Armory was demolished in the late 1990s to make room for the downtown’s redevelopment. Money for the project has been appropriated by the county and architectural firm Machado & Silvetti are designing the building. Maryland artist Toby Mendez, whose past works include the Thurgood Marshall Memorial in Annapolis, is designing the Veterans Memorial.

‘Silver Pass’ artworkdedicated Friday

Officials Friday evening dedicated the ‘‘Silver Pass” artwork, a paint and mosaic mural near the underpass on Georgia Avenue near Blair Mill Road.

The mural was created by 25 Montgomery County youths with help from artists G. Byron Peck and Carien Quiroga. The youths are from Montgomery Youth Works, a Wheaton-based nonprofit that provides employment and enrichment opportunities for teens.

New art displayedat Pyramid Atlantic

Pyramid Atlantic Art Center is presenting two new exhibits: ‘‘Displacement,” a multi-media installation by Nino Leselidze, Hadieh Shafie and Jennie Thwing, and ‘‘A Change of Plans,” a video installation by Symmes Gardner.

Both exhibits are on view June 27 to Aug. 15. There will be an opening reception 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. June 27 and an artist’s talk 7 p.m. July 13.

Library funds approved by County Council

The County Council unanimously agreed Tuesday to authorize the planning, design, land acquisition and construction of a new Silver Spring Library.

Design of the 41,500-square foot library, to be built on Wayne Avenue, Fenton and Bonifant streets, will begin in fiscal 2007. Estimated cost of the project is about $25 million, according to County Council documents. The county has budgeted $11 million for acquisition of property and relocation of businesses.

Silver Spring’s existing library at 8901 Colesville Road is the oldest community library in the county’s system.

Copyright © 2006 The Gazette - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Privacy Statement

[Silver Springer]

Cameron House

comments

I just wish these developers would stop hiring WDG Architects as if they are the only design firm in town. They are designing a lot of the new buildings in downtown but all of them look the same. Outside the beautiful 8515 Georgia ave, they are very boring looking.

Little is know about this project. The developer is Fairfield Realty, they are knocking down the St. Charles apartments after some legal battle due to lack of maintainance of the property by the landlord and tenants. The building is adjacent to the United Therapeutics headquarters, one the most profitable biotech companies in the state and will have the largest photovatalic cells inside the beltway. Fairfield Realty will do streetscaping from their side of the project up to both sides of Cameron street.

Description:
The St. Charles apartments on Cameron Street (across from the new United Therapeutics project) is proposed for redevelopment as a 15-story (143' tall) residential building with 325 dwelling units, including MPDUs. (312 units were originally approved.) The project will also include structured parking and 7330 s.f. of ground floor retail. The 1.63 acre site is zoned CBD-2. It adjoins public parking garage #2 and a future second phase of the United Therapeutics project.

Status

Planning

Robert Kronenberg, (301) 495-2187, e-mail

Applicant:
FF Realty LLC
7200 Wisconsin Avenue
Suite 1108
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 654-2884
Attention: J. Johnson, J. Graham Brock, or Mark Coletta

[pennster]

Yay.

[Silver Springer]

Originally Posted by pennster

Yay.

LOL...More news about Cameron House and 8021 Georgia Ave (National Dry Cleaning Institute building). This may be bad news or good news by how you look at it but they are seriously considering turning them into Apartments instead of condos. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...070400969.html

Notice that Silver Spring Gateway doesn't have a sales office so you can almost bet that they will end up being apartments, IMO this is bad news for this project because it is the largest measured by number of units but overall the condo glut is becoming less apparent and developers are changing their tune.

[pennster]

Yeah I read that article when it came out. I'm still waiting for Midtown Silver Spring to set itself up. It's making me nervous.

[Silver Springer]

Originally Posted by pennster

Yeah I read that article when it came out. I'm still waiting for Midtown Silver Spring to set itself up. It's making me nervous.

They have a sales office seting up in the former Crescent sales office. I think they have gone too far to turn back now.