Construction on downtown’s civic center and Veterans Plaza could begin early this summer, though exactly who will be doing the heavy lifting is still undecided.
“We’re hoping to start construction at the end of May or early June,” Gary Stith, director of Silver Spring’s regional center, told the citizens advisory board Monday night.
However, the county has extended a deadline for construction bids until Mar 18 because contractors repeatedly requested more technical information on the project, Stith said. Despite the deadline extension, the county’s department of public works is pressing to keep things on schedule for a 2009 opening, Stith added.
The project includes a civic building and hardscaped plaza near the corner of Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street. Plans for the building include a great hall and four smaller conference rooms, while the plaza will have a seasonal ice-skating rink and veterans memorial. The nonprofit group Silver Spring Town Center, Inc, will develop programs for the space.
“We believe this type of nonprofit can ensure that this space is used as effectively as possible,” Silver Spring’s citizens advisory board wrote in its 2009 budget wish list. “Such an organization can independently raise funds to support community-based arts, entertainment and educational programming, thereby enhancing the county’s investment.”
However, the nonprofit group took some heat from county council members last summer. Members of the council’s economic-development committee worried that the group’s programming could be too inclusive.
“Having a board that believes itself to own a public building is going to be a challenge,” council member Nancy Floreen (D-At large) said in August. “This has to be open to everyone.”
Still, the organization’s website professes to hook Silver Spring up with gigs that reflect the area’s interests.
“Like ballet, modern dance and salsa? The Silver Spring Town Center, Inc, loves dance! Like jazz, blues, opera, classical or world music? The Silver Spring Town Center, Inc, loves music, too! Like painting, sculpture and photography? The Silver Spring Town Center, Inc, loves the visual arts! Like theatre? We love it too!” the group declares.
Images: Renderings of the Silver Spring civic building, courtesy of the department of public works and transportation.
August 21, 2008
7 Comments at "Despite speed bump, Silver Spring civic center rolls on"
How about a Micro-Brew Beer Festival? Does the Silver Spring Town Center, Inc, love beer?
Editor’s note: Excellent idea! Maybe an Oktoberfest gig? — JD (Mar 11, 2008)
b, that’s an excellent suggestion, but I cannot see it happening in the alcohol-phobic MoCo.
Micro-Brew Beer Festival- I love that idea!!!!
A Micro-Brew Beer Festival is a great idea and really unique. I don’t think I know of any festivals like that in Maryland. If anyone else does… then please post it.
Mont co is a bit slow in developing that eyesore of land. All the many delinquent kids running around really makes one not want to walk on that side of the street. They need to erect the civic ctr and make that space less open because its just way too much going on. It makes silver spring less mature and more of a day care center. I’m afraid of being hit by a frisbee, skateboarder or splashed in the face by a babies urine! Can we get some development on that corner!
I must say I have never been concerned with getting splashed in the face with baby urine.
HERE WE ARE IN LATE JUNE AND NOT ONE CONSTRUCTION WORKER CAN BE FOUND AT THE PROPOSED SITE! What is the hold up, I am sick of seeing the eyesore of dirt and tattered fences next to that green carpet breeding ground for juvenile delinquents with skateboards and public displays of lust. We need to set our priorities straight in DTSS. We can get 10 Starbucks, Subways and yet another Discount retailer, but an updated more suitable library for a growing population and Civic Center so those delinquents can vacate the green carpet and do something productive is apparently not as important.
Holler back.