The planning department’s green-space plan floats an emerald isle in the middle of Fenton Village. But how will that impact the hood’s scarred streetscape?

Part Deux of a week-long series.

The plan, released Thursday during the planning board’s weekly meeting, proposes a hardcore facelift for one block in Fenton Village — an asphalt wasteland of parking lots bordered by Georgia Avenue to the west, Fenton Street to the east, Thayer Avenue up top, and Silver Spring Avenue down low.

Fenton Village, as it exists today.

What the plan suggests is this: Ditch the parking lots. Drop some sod. Cut a new mid-block street that’ll run parallel to Georgia Avenue and Fenton Street. And roll out some slick retailers to service the green space’s hordes. Planning board commissioners believe the concept will grease the wheels for more street-level retail around the green.

Fenton Village's proposed green space.

But how will a green space surrounded by retail shops affect foot traffic and business along existing streets? It’s unclear whether activity on the proposed green would keep shoppers on Fenton Street and Georgia Avenue, or if it would draw shoppers away.

The proposed green space also raises the question of whether one developer, Bob Hillerson, would be willing to remould his plans for Studio Plaza, a mixed-use project planned for that block. Hillerson’s plans have been on the shelf for at least a year over this, that and the other thing. Earlier this month, he asked for (and got) another extension for his project while he haggles with the county over the redevelopment of a county-owned parking lot.

Would Hillerson be willing to revisit his plans for Studio Plaza? And what concessions would the county be willing to make to see this green space sprout on Hillerson’s turf?

Finally, there’s a matter of density. The county exec’s office would like to see more workforce housing there for middle-class residents, even if that means raising building heights to 143 feet. East Silver Spring residents don’t dig that idea, but would they yield if the county threw a little grass into the deal?

The green-space plan isn’t gospel, but the planning board has asked its staff to study in more detail the individual green spaces proposed.

Images courtesy of MNCPPC.