Comments on: Skating rink 1, Turf 0 FINAL

By: Turf to hit trash heap before Labor Day | The Silver Spring Penguin

Turf to hit trash heap before Labor Day | The Silver Spring Penguin — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:01:15 +0000

[...] some calls to keep the turf, the county decided last summer to proceed with its plans to build the plaza, veterans memorial, seasonal ice rink and pavilion. A [...]

By: The Silver Spring Penguin | News, Views, Stuff » » The Watercooler

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 15:13:55 +0000

[...] Local artists would be meeting at Adega Wines that night to discuss a stealth project using the downtown turf. The cabal would convene at 7:00 p.m., possibly 8:00 [...]

By: Pennster

Pennster — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 15:04:17 +0000

I have been thinking about the trees in front of the future Birchmere. They would be just the type to dot the plaza without overwhelming it.

By: Glenn Kreger

Glenn Kreger — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 12:50:27 +0000

The next step would be building permit.

By: Jennifer Deseo

Jennifer Deseo — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 22:57:49 +0000

WTH asked:

“So why the heck did you [the planning board] vote for it?”

The commissioners were really REALLY close to giving the plaza plan a unanimous thumbs down. However, they couldn’t think of alternatives on the spot, and no one was willing to vote in favor of AstroTurf.

In the words of chairperson Royce Hanson:

“I don’t think we can come up on the fly with suggestions [to the plan] that would be helpful, and I don’t want to do more harm. I’m really stuck.”

The board could have postponed a decision. However, a rep from the department of public works intimated that the county would be willing to tweak the plaza plan a little. That tipped the scales.

And the rest is history.

PENNSTER (or anyone): What’s the next step after site-plan review? At what point can the plaza’s design be revisited? Thanks!

By: Anonymouse

Anonymouse — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 21:15:43 +0000

Sorry for the typo. I meant to write :

Regarding Pennster’s suggestion about getting mature trees, the trees in front of the future Birchmere could be moved, so that the architect’s rendition of the Birchmere is actually realizable, which it currently is not because of those trees.

By: wth

wth — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 18:43:58 +0000

I don’t get this:

“I’m struggling with how usable the plaza is as a gathering space,” board chairperson Royce Hanson told county representatives at the review meeting. “I’m just concerned that it’s a large area with no greenery in it.”

So why the heck did you vote for it?

By: Anonymouse

Anonymouse — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 14:52:43 +0000

Regarding moving mature, here’s an idea : move the trees in front of the Birchmere, which would allow the future Birchmere to actually look like the version posted on the web.

By: Bob

Bob — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 11:27:15 +0000

Don’t forget the park next to the Silver Spring Library. You can go to the library and to the park without moving your car if you drive there.

By: Jennifer Deseo

Jennifer Deseo — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 20:25:20 +0000

Pennster wrote:

“I suggest … [making] better use of Jessup Blair Park”

Here’s why I don’t dig Jessup Blair Park (at least the part closest to Georgia Avenue and the Montgomery College footbridge).

First, it’s got such a bizarre layout. The paths wander aimlessly, and the placement of young trees seem to disuade use of the grassy areas.

Second, that part of South Silver Spring doesn’t have a lot of retail or other street activity to attract people. If Moorenko’s was just a little further south (or if the KFC on Blair Rd wasn’t robbed so often), maybe more people would picnic there.

Pennster also wrote:

“Also, if you’re really that concerned, try lobbying Discovery to actually tear down that damned fence they have around their green “public space”, since that really is in the center of the CBD.”

I agree. Discovery needs to TEAR THAT SHIT DOWN.