Silver Spring Development News

[Silver Springer]

National Park Seminary, "Welcome to Silver Spring, Maryland"

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A national treasure.

What is the National Park Seminary?
The National Park Seminary is a historic district in the Forest Glen area of Silver Spring, MD, which includes a wooded glen and two dozen Victorian era buildings, including a magnificent 3-story ballroom, a windmill, castle, and Japanese pagoda.

The first building, "Ye Forest Inne," was constructed in 1887. Early suburban developers acquired the land above Rock Creek, laid out lots, and built the hotel to attract prospective homeowners. By 1894, the hotel failed and the inn was converted to a women’s post-secondary school. For nearly 50 years, the National Park Seminary and College was one of the most prestigious women’s schools in the country. As enrollment grew, so did the campus, and the new buildings, built in various international styles, reflected the educational philosophy of founders and the values of a nation just emerging on the international scene. The school weathered the Great Depression and, just as it was beginning to thrive again, it was taken over by the U.S. Army in 1942, when it served as a rehabilitation center for wounded veterans returning from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

Many suburban resort hotels were built in the late 1800’s. Many of them were converted to schools. And many of them were, in turn, taken over by the armed forces during the war. But very few of these original resort hotels are left, and none that have witnessed all three incarnations! Clearly this site has profound architectural and historical importance. It is also a place of pure magic – a commodity very hard to come by today.

Brief History
A Brief History of
National Park Seminary

Through all its years and incarnations, a trickling stream has run through the wooded glen of the National Park Seminary grounds. Indeed it was nature, and the coolness inherent in the geography of the site that first attracted developers to the area: built in 1887, the first building constructed in Forest Glen's picturesque setting was Ye Forest Inne, a vacation retreat for Washington residents looking to escape the city's oppressive summer heat.

Hit by financial hard times, Ye Forest Inne closed its doors at the end of the 1892 season. The shingled Queen Anne style resort was purchased by John and Vesta Cassedy, who re-opened it as a girls' finishing school with a class of 48 female students in 1894. The Cassedy's instituted a 10-year building program, much of which was inspired by book of plans they had acquired at the 1893 Colombian Exposition in Chicago. Over the next 15 years, internationally styled buildings sprouted throughout the Campus as the school grew healthily - many of these unique structures such as the Dutch Windmill, Japanese Pagoda, Swiss Chalet, Italian Villa, and English Garden Castle were built on a small scale, as they were initially used only as sorority meeting houses. Elaborate, well-tended gardens and winding paths kept the buildings connected and created a whimsical, almost playful feel to the campus. Dormitories, a chapel, and the Aloha house, the Cassedy's residence, were also built. Ye Forest Inne, renamed Main, underwent extensive renovations to accommodate an exclusive higher learning facility; classrooms, boarding rooms, and several parlors were created, all of which were tastefully furnished. In 1901, the Odeon, a classically styled theatre, was built. An impressive colonial revival gymnasium, complete with a heated pool, bowling alley, and solarium was one of the last buildings constructed during the Cassedy era.



In 1916, John Cassedy sold his interest in the blossoming school to Joe Clifton Trees, who placed James Eli Ament at the helm. Ament, much like the Cassedy's, immediately started building. In 1919, his first major building campaign was centered on the expansion and addition of the Main building. The building was expanded and connected to the outlying dormitories as well as the Chapel in an almost abrupt way, and the huge President's House was added to the Main at a 45-degree angle. In an attempt to unify the now monolithic building, which had taken on something of a cobbled look, the entire façade was covered in white pebble-dash stucco. Under Ament's guidance, the whole grounds were interconnected through ornate bridges and covered walkways in an attempt to "unify" the campus. The Aloha house received additions that more than doubled its existing size and was converted into a dormitory to accommodate a growing student body.

During his tenure, Ament undertook two other building campaigns; the first, in 1924, centered on a massive renovation of the Gymnasium. The changes turned the building from a colonial revival into an intimidating highly detailed neo-classical structure. It was covered in stucco, classical details were added, and a massive Greek portico complete with Corinthian columns was added. The last major building campaign on the campus took place in 1927, when a ballroom of Ament's own design was built. The tallest building on the site, the ballroom was and still is seen as the crowning jewel of the campus. Along with various busts of prominent thinkers, leaders, and artists that could not be reached by vandals, the massive wooden speaker from the original Victrola record player still sits in the ballroom today. The Music Hall, built in a neoclassical style and linking the Main to the Odeon, was also constructed in 1927.

Ament's travels in Europe brought classical statues, fountains, and busts back to campus, adorning the already impressive grounds with an additional elegance and rarity that still comes through today. At its peak before the stock market crash in 1929, National Park Seminary enrolled 400 young women and had an ample waiting list. It boasted tuition rates higher than both Harvard and Yale and catered to the highest socio-economic class in the country.

In 1936, the school was purchased by Roy Tasco Davis, who changed the focus of the school to more modern principles of thought. Co-ed dances were allowed and classes were modified to reflect the changing intellectual landscape. Once more, National Park Seminary (at this time renamed National Park College) seemed to have a bright future when the army annexed the property in 1942 for use as a medical facility for returning soldiers.

Through three wars, the beautiful setting of National Park Seminary rehabilitated amputees and wounded soldiers. The grounds sprouted military style cinder block buildings, and many of the lavish furnishings were auctioned off. The ornate covered walkways that once connected the campus were torn down, bridges collapsed, and the grounds, once elegant and graceful, began to overtake their surroundings. By 1978, the army had abandoned much of the complex in favor of newer facilities and many buildings fell into advanced states of disrepair due to poor, or non-existent, maintenance. Vandalism and theft increased at shocking rates - statues were defaced or stolen, the Italian fountain that sits in front of Main was broken, and in 1993, the Odeon was lost to arson.

Local preservation groups took action and in 2003 a development team led by The Alexander Company, a national leader in historic preservation and rehabilitation, took on the task of saving National Park Seminary and restoring it to its original glory, cementing its place once more as a true gem of the region as well as the country.

Plan Description:
The National Park Seminary Historic District is an eclectic group of structures that began as an Inn and later served as a private girls school. In 1942 the U.S. Army acquired the school under the War Powers Act for use as a convalescent center for soldiers injured in World War II. Until recently, the site served as part of the Forest Glen Annex to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

In 2001, the Army declared the National Park Seminary Historic District to be surplus to their needs and authorized the General Services Administration to dispose of the site along with a vacant parcel of land across Linden Lane to the west. Montgomery County is actively facilitating the transfer of the site from the Federal Government to the next user. Development proposals were solicited, reviewed and discussed with the community. After a competitive bid process, County Executive Duncan selected a parnership between the Alexander Company and Eakin Yougentob Associates to redevelop the property, preserving as many of the historic structures as possible. Montgomery County accepted the property from the Army and transferred it to the developer on October 25, 2004.

A rezoning from R-90 to the PD-15 zone was proposed by the Forest Glen Venture LLC, the partnership between the Alexander Company and Eakin Yougentob Associates. The subject property for the rezoning includes approximately 32 acres with 29 buildings. The proposed project included the renovation of many of the historic National Park Seminary structures. The development plan proposed no more than 280 dwelling units on site including 169 multifamily residences, 98 townhomes and 13 single family detached dwellings. Approximately 20% of the units will be Moderately Priced Dwelling Units (MPDUs); however, the applicant is achieving no density bonus. The proposal also includes the relocation on-site of Carroll House, a transitional housing facility for men operated by Catholic Charities. Approximately 16 acres of land is forested; much of it is stream valley including the "historic glen," an area with paths and statuary. The proposal provides for improved access and connections to parkland.

Montgomery County has identified this project for the Green Tape process and M-NCPPC has also applied an expedited review process. The Montgomery County Planning Board considered the rezoning application on December 16, 2004 and voted unanimously to recommend approval. The County Council, approved the rezoning in Spring 2005. The Planning Board was then asked to approve a preliminary plan of subdivision and site plan, encompassing 280 dwelling units including 56 MPDUs. A groundbreaking for the project was held on November 17, 2005.

Detailed historical background on the Forest Glen site can be found in a book published by Save Our Seminary (SOS) entitled Enchanted Forest Glen and also on SOS's Web site (http://www.saveourseminary.org)

Status
UNDER PRESERVATION\CONSTRUCTION

MNCPPC Staff Contact:
Gwen Wright, Historic Preservation Section, (301) 563 - 3413, e-mail
Glenn Kreger, Silver Spring Team, (301) 495 - 4653, e-mail

Applicant:
Forest Glen Venture LLC c/o Eakin Yougentob Associates Development, 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 2720, Arlington, VA 22209

Opportunities for Public Participation:
A Seminary Advisory Board continues to provide communication between the community and the developer. The mailing address for the Seminary Advisory Board is 2924 Woodstock Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

Planning Board Review Process & Case Number:
Preliminary plan #1-05054 and site plan #8-05024

Planning Board Action:
The preliminary and site plans were approved on April 7, 2005.

Notes from M-NCPPC Staff Contacts:
Historic covenants will transfer with the property to the new owner. The Maryland Historical Trust will ensure compliance with the covenants. Historic Area Work Permits from the Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission are also needed before facades of the historic structures can be altered.

LINKS
http://nationalparkseminary.com
http://www.saveourseminary.org
http://www.eya.com/homes/images/home...evelation1.jpg


Forest Glen Postcard, 1919











































New homes under construction by EYA

[JAB323]

I didn't realize Forest Glen had a Silver Spring address. Of course about half of MoCo is "Silver Spring".

[Zorba]

As a Silver Spring resident I probably should take some photos of downtown. I'm just too lazy sometimes.

On a side note, does anyone know the population of Silver Spring?

[Zorba]

Originally Posted by pennster

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.

Great post. All very true.

[pennster]

Originally Posted by JAB323

I didn't realize Forest Glen had a Silver Spring address. Of course about half of MoCo is "Silver Spring".

I live in Forest Glen. It is, of course, part of Silver Spring, part inside and part outside the Beltway, about a mile and a half from downtown. We get mad when the county counts us separately, especially when we're so close. Most consider the border between Wheaton and Silver Spring as Plyers Mill Road (Wheaton to the north, and SS to the south). Holy Cross Hospital, the Seminary, St. Johns chuch(es), Forest Glen Metro, and Sligo Middle School are all in the Forest Glen neighborhood, and all in Silver Spring.

Originally Posted by Zorba

On a side note, does anyone know the population of Silver Spring?

The Central Business District (CBD) has a population of about 82,000 (my approximation since 2000, when it was 76,500). The entirety of Silver Spring has around 250,000, though no true population estimate exists since there are no clear borders.

[Silver Springer]

Originally Posted by pennster

I live in Forest Glen. It is, of course, part of Silver Spring, part inside and part outside the Beltway, about a mile and a half from downtown. We get mad when the county counts us separately, especially when we're so close. Most consider the border between Wheaton and Silver Spring as Plyers Mill Road (Wheaton to the north, and SS to the south). Holy Cross Hospital, the Seminary, St. Johns chuch(es), Forest Glen Metro, and Sligo Middle School are all in the Forest Glen neighborhood, and all in Silver Spring.



The Central Business District (CBD) has a population of about 82,000 (my approximation since 2000, when it was 76,500). The entirety of Silver Spring has around 250,000, though no true population estimate exists since there are no clear borders.

Yeah, I don't know why they would count it seperately either, when places like burtonsville are considered Silver Spring. Even Wheaton shares a Silver Spring mailing address. The population of downtown and immediate areas would make Silver spring the largest outside Baltimore. I don't understand why places like Germantown and Columbia can use all areas that share their mailing address, if that was the case with Silver Spring it would be 5x their size.

Fox 5 did a neighborhood news segment a few month ago and said that Silver Spring has a population of 250,000 as well so that adds some credibility to it.

[Zorba]

Originally Posted by pennster

The Central Business District (CBD) has a population of about 82,000 (my approximation since 2000, when it was 76,500). The entirety of Silver Spring has around 250,000, though no true population estimate exists since there are no clear borders.

Hopefully by 2020 the CBD population will break 100,000.

On a side note, am I the only Montgomery Blair High School Alum. on this site?

[pennster]

I went to Blair at the beginning of my freshman year in the Math, Science and Computer Science magnet program---it wasn't my home school since I went to Sligo MS. I hated the program, but I don't hate Blair. It just wasn't for me--mostly not my type of people in the program, and the school was overwhelming for me not knowing anyone with everyone else knowing everyone else (having come from middle schools that actually feed into it). I went to Einstein and graduated in '04 to go to UPenn, so leaving hardly ruined by university prospects. Funny thing is, even though Einstein is my home school, I live closer to Blair lol.

[Zorba]

Same with me, in terms of living distance from each school. The whole area where I live(Woodside) is much closer to Blair, I still fail to realise why it is in the Einstein district.

Interesting story though. I wasn't in the Math, and Science(Magnet) program at Blair, but I found it to be a good school, especially by down county standards(I don't know if that's saying much though). I graduated in '06, btw.

[pennster]

All MoCo schools are in the top 5% in the country, so even downcounty schools are fabulous. And Blair is an extremely good school, especially with the magnets (MSCS and CAP). Einstein has International Baccalaureate and the county Visual Arts program, as well. Downcounty schools are not the "worst" in the county. Einstein hits it in the middle, and Blair is way up there above AEHS. Kennedy and Wheaton are the schools that have been "struggling", but it's not the teachers or administrators who need help, it's many of the students that simply need some motivation (from their parents). I just look at it that I was lucky to have gone to Einstein in MoCo. And you're lucky to have gone to Blair.

[Silver Springer]

Originally Posted by pennster

All MoCo schools are in the top 5% in the country, so even downcounty schools are fabulous. And Blair is an extremely good school, especially with the magnets (MSCS and CAP). Einstein has International Baccalaureate and the county Visual Arts program, as well. Downcounty schools are not the "worst" in the county. Einstein hits it in the middle, and Blair is way up there above AEHS. Kennedy and Wheaton are the schools that have been "struggling", but it's not the teachers or administrators who need help, it's many of the students that simply need some motivation (from their parents). I just look at it that I was lucky to have gone to Einstein in MoCo. And you're lucky to have gone to Blair.

I'd put my money on east down county schools over up county schools. Simply because you're exposed to the diversity and there is just a unique character about the area. I couldn't say as much about the new Blair as I could say about the old Blair even though I didn't attend either. The Takoma Park area schools were setup in a weird way as well too.

By the way what ever happened to the days of the Science Fairs? It seemed like a down county only thing to me but I could be wrong. They just don't run them like they used to.

[Silver Springer]

Silver Spring's Discovery: Shark fears inflated

Washington Business Journal - 4:38 PM EDT Mondayby Jeff Clabaugh and Jennifer Nycz-ConnerStaff Reporters

http://washington.bizjournals.com/wa...7/daily13.html

Discovery Channel is employing some toothy guerilla tactics to market this year's Shark Week.

For starters, Discovery Communications just hoisted a 446-foot-long inflatable great white shark to the top of its downtown Silver Spring headquarters.

The shark marks the return of the Discovery Channel's popular Shark Week series, the 19th year Discovery has aired a weeklong marathon of shark-related shows.

Some Silver Spring businesses are also picking up on the shark theme, including Asian Bistro and Redrock Canyon Grill, which have added shark-themed menu items. The AFI theater is screening special showings of "Jaws" through July 21.

Meanwhile, New York will see a feeding frenzy of street marketers as surfers, "Bight University" faculty and (pun alert) "chewleaders" circle city landmarks, area beaches and the sets of national morning shows.

Discovery says this year's Shark Week marathon, which airs July 30 through Aug. 4 with daily premieres at 9 p.m. Eastern, includes seven new shark-focused specials. Last year, about 20.6 million people watched Shark Week, cable TV's longest-running programming event.

As for that gigantic shark in Silver Spring: Discovery says it took 6.65 miles of fabric to create the inflatable fish and 36.7 miles of thread to sew him together. And if it were real, the shark would weight about 84,000 pounds.

[Silver Springer]

Blair Towns (First LEED Ceritified Apartment Buildings in the United States

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First LEED Ceritified Apartment Buildings in the United States. One of the first LEED buildings in Silver Spring and the region.

"A "Green Building"

Experience Building Harmony

Certified Environmentally Sensitive, Blair Towns is the first U.S. Green Building Council* apartment community built in harmony with the environment.

Discover what this means to you and our planet.

Reduced Dependence on Cars

Smart Growth development with immediate access to Silver Spring Metro station.
Urban village location encourages walking to nearby shopping, dining, entertainment and work.
On-site bicycle parking encourages pedaling to work or to Rock Creek Park.
On-site energy efficient hybrid vehicles - FlexCar® program encourages car sharing; you don't need a car to live at The Blairs.
Community carpooling pick-up and drop off location with "rider/driver message board".
Reduced Energy Consumption & Lower Utility Costs

Enhanced energy efficiency because of Earth friendly construction practices and design, resulting in lower monthly utility costs, reduced waste and pollution.
State-of-the-art energy-efficient "Low-E®" windows and balcony doors maximize daylight and reduce heat loss.
Super efficient Energy Star light fixtures, ceiling fans and appliances use less energy and save water.
Greater conservation of energy due to thicker, better insulated exterior walls.
Healthier, More Comfortable Apartment Homes

Improved indoor air quality due to non-toxic low-emission paints, sealants, adhesives, and carpet products.
Additional peace of mind due to carbon monoxide detectors in all units.
Greater comfort due to ceiling fans in all bedrooms.
Increased daylight due to larger windows and use of "Low-E®" glass.
Reduced Water Consumption & Water Pollutants

Low-maintenance landscaping with hardy native plantings eliminates need for an irrigation system.
On-site filtering system for storm water runoff reduces pollutants before water reaches the Chesapeake Bay.
Greater savings because of 20% less water consumption.
Preservation of Natural Resources & Reduced Waste

Minimized wood consumption because of efficient framing design and finger-jointed wood studs.
Reduced landfill waste and extensive use of recycled materials.
Recycling depositories and use of closed compaction system to minimize litter and reduce pickups.
Stronger Local Economy/Reduced Air Pollution

Support of local companies through conscientious use of building materials manufactured within 500 miles of Blair Towns also reduces impact to air quality because less transportation miles are driven.
* For more information on the U.S Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green building rating system go to www.usgbc.org
"

Description:
Three groups of piggyback townhouses, some to be "live / work units", have been constructed on a former surface parking lot along Colesville Road. A structured parking garage with 418 spaces has been constructed to replace the surface parking and provide parking for the 78 new units.


Status
COMPLETE

Planning

MNCPPC Staff Contact:
Glenn Kreger, (301) 495-4653, e-mail


Applicant:
(301) 984-7000
The Tower Companies
11501 Huff Court
North Bethesda, MD 20895

Opportunities for Public Participation:
None Required

Planning Board Review Process & Case Number:
not filed

Planning Board Action:
None required










D.C.\Maryland Border

[JAB323]

I just swung by Silver Spring yesterday, on way to aunt/uncle's house in Wheaton. It keeps looking more and more like a real city, and less suburban. BTW, we need some good SS cityscapes and street scenes on here to show people how "urban" it is.

[Silver Springer]

Originally Posted by JAB323

I just swung by Silver Spring yesterday, on way to aunt/uncle's house in Wheaton. It keeps looking more and more like a real city, and less suburban. BTW, we need some good SS cityscapes and street scenes on here to show people how "urban" it is.

What did you have in mind? Like the gritty areas around Fenton Village\South Silver Spring?

BTW did you get your free shark hat and view the Discovery Shark?

[JAB323]

Originally Posted by Silver Springer

What did you have in mind? Like the gritty areas around Fenton Village\South Silver Spring?

BTW did you get your free shark hat and view the Discovery Shark?

I saw the giant inflatable shark, pretty neat. I missed out on getting the hat though.

[Silver Springer]

Heres a color image of cameron house.

[pennster]

And so we're looking at Cameron Street facing north?

[Silver Springer]

Originally Posted by pennster

And so we're looking at Cameron Street facing north?

Yes. I wonder if they will demolish that old garage for Silver Place.

[pennster]

It doesn't look like they would have to but that rendering says otherwise.