The Silver Spring Penguin

ROCKVILLE — MoCo exec Ike Leggett said the county should jump at the opportunity to bring National Public Radio headquarters to downtown Silver Spring.

Following a Monday morning media event outside the Shady Grove Metro station, Leggett told The Penguin that NPR’s possible relocation would allow downtown Silver Spring to continue its economic revitalization.

“Some people have argued that we’re getting too commercial,” Leggett said over the rumble of passing buses. “But when we have something like NPR and the ability to develop a comprehensive plan around it, we should take advantage of it.”

In April, the county first announced its bid to move NPR into Ripley District digs. If NPR agrees with the county’s undisclosed financial incentive, it could set up shop by 2011.

However, Leggett said limitations on Silver Spring’s resources means the county must be choosy about who else it woos into the neighborhood. “We have to be selective and make [decisions] on a case-by-case basis,” he said.

Leggett added that selectivity avoids what he called “piecemeal” commercial development.

NPR could bring up to 700 employees to downtown Silver Spring, as well as a 2,600 square-foot broadcasting studio. The organization’s headquarters are currently in The District’s Chinatown.

Amended Jun 12, 2007.