Silver Spring’s citizens advisory board decided last night to postpone further endorsement of the Veterans Plaza ice rink.
More information on design options, and a gauge of prevailing public sentiment, were needed, members said during their monthly meeting at the Round House Theatre’s educational center.
“There’s a lot of confusion as to what the options are,” board member Mitch Warren told his colleagues. “It’s a tough call for a lot of people.”
To date, the argument of what to place in front of downtown Silver Spring’s civic center has focused on two choices: a paved plaza with a seasonal ice rink, as designed by the architectural firm Machado & Silvetti; and a lawn without a rink, as recommended by the county’s parks and planning staff.
“We’re playing a game of chicken,” board member Darian Unger warned. “I’m not sure it’s our job to pick an absolute winner.”
Board member Marilyn Seitz recommended a third choice — a seasonal rink replaced with turf in the summer. This idea has been mentioned at other local civic meetings, as well as on local blogs.
“I’m still conflicted on the issue,” board member Kathryn Stevens admitted. She suggested gathering more information from residents by way of public forums.
However, board member and rink supporter Alan Bowser argued that public opinions voiced over the years should not be dismissed.
“This is the public’s project,” Bowser told his colleagues. “We need to [build] this sooner rather than later.”
Gary Stith, director of Silver Spring’s regional center, said amended plans for Veterans Plaza would be submitted to the county’s planning board by the end of this week. The planning board then will schedule a public hearing on the matter within six weeks.
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So many new people have moved into Silver Spring and have enjoyed the downtown area since the decision to build an ice rink was made. The idea of supporting opinions voiced over the years isn’t accurate anymore.
At this point, I would just like to see someone make a decision! Information has been gathered and the “powers that be” need to weigh this information and get started on something.
I love reading the Penguin, and would like to offer a correction to one of the quotes above….parts of different sentences, perhaps?
I’m concerned that a game of chicken between different county officials will make it harder to compromise on a common-sense solution that includes both the pavilion/ice rink and green space. It is unnecessary to choose one over the other since they are not mutually excusive and many residents would like both features in downtown Silver Spring. We have a whole plaza to work with, and don’t need to pick only one when a reasonable design modification would allow both grass and the rink.
Thanks for the clarification, Darian. Guess I left that quote hanging out there without any context.