Montgomery County's 2008 Great Communities Photo Contest! Show off what you like best about our community in pictures as part of the Montgomery County Planning Department's 2008 Great Communities photo contest. The agency seeks original photographs taken in the county in the last year. Winning photographers will receive cash awards ranging from $75 to $300 and have their images displayed at public events and published in Planning Department publications. Submit your photo here by August 20. We will announce winners at the Magical Montgomery Festival on September 27 in downtown Silver Spring.

You may be aware that a new library will be built in downtown Silver Spring. But before that happens, the County is holding three meetings to solicit input from Silver Spring residents about the type of library we envision for our community.
The meetings will be held according to the following schedule:

Tuesday, July 15, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Silver Spring Library, 8901 Colesville Rd;
Saturday, August 23, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Round House Theater, 8641 Colesville Rd; and
Sunday, September 21, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Coffield Community Center, 2450 Lyttonsville Rd.

Comments will be solicited from residents on the types of services and programs they are interested in having at their new library. The meetings will be hosted by Montgomery County Public Libraries, the Silver Spring Regional Services Center and the Design Section of the County's Department of General Services.

Residents need only attend one of the three meetings.

For more information about the library's progress (or lack thereof), you can read this article.

The Washington Post had an interesting article on Monday highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit behind the Hook & Ladder Brewing Co. And the most important sentence: "The company hopes by the end of this year to open a flagship restaurant brewery at a 114-year-old firehouse in Silver Spring." Here's a link to the article: Washington Post Article: Suds and Money

We did it again! Our second annual block party was a huge success, with more vendors, more performers, more participating restaurants and yes – more heat. Mother nature may have blessed us by holding off on the thunderstorms, but she certainly gave us reason to enjoy voluminous amounts of Moorenko’s ice cream and Rainbows’ Italian ices. Residents from every corner of Silver Spring, Takoma Park, other parts of Montgomery County and the District braved the hot pavement to show their support for our community, as did many of our elected officials: State Senator Jaime Raskin, Delegate Tom Hucker and County Council members George Leventhal, Nancy Floreen and Marc Elrich.

At the end of the day, dozens of neighbors won gift certificates donated by the best restaurants in Silver Spring (winners will be posted on southsilverspring.org), local artists had the opportunity to exhibit their crafts and most importantly, many of you left the comfort of your air conditioned apartments and came out to Kennett Street to see your neighbors and make new friends. In other words, you helped build a stronger community!

The block party would not have been possible without the hard work over the last few months of the following South Silver Springers: David Fogel, Dana Beam, John Murphy, Henry Odenarian, Kristin Callahan, Jason Gedeik, Jennifer Deseo, Jimmy Obomsawin, Edgar Diaz-Cruz and Elisa Kerneklian, all of whom dedicated many hours to ensure that the party was a success. They should all be proud.

Just because our marquee event is over doesn’t mean we don’t have anything else to do. Expect to see many more events over the year, including our monthly socials, working with local non-profits to further improve our community and also a highly requested “dog day” at Jesup Blair park,. Your comments, suggestions and ideas are always welcome and remember to stay tuned because the best is yet to come!

Your neighbor,
Evan Glass

If you park in the Kennett St garage or at a meter, please take note:

NOTICE: New Parking Rates in Silver Spring Effective July 1, 2008

New Parking Rates are as follows:

• Short-term parking (3 hours or less): $0.75 per hour
• Long-term parking (More than 3 hours): $0.50 per hour
• Wayne Ave. and Ellsworth Dr. Garages: $0.75 per hour
• Parking Convenience Sticker: $95 per month (Effective August 1, 2008)

Existing Parking Hours requiring payment will remain the same:

• Garages and Surface Lots: 7:00am to 7:00pm, Monday through Friday
• On-Street: 9:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday
• Wayne Ave. and Ellsworth Dr. Garages
• 7:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Thursday
• 7:00am to 5:00pm, Fridays

Montgomery County Parking Operations

240-777-6000

www.montgomerycountymd.gov/parking

For those of you unable to attend the meeting on the Days Inn & Travelodge motels, let me give a quick recap and explain what the next steps are.

Assistant State's Attorney Maura Lynch and MCPD's 3rd District Lt Eric Burnett explained to us that they have been gathering evidence against the motels in an attempt to get management to significantly improve their business practices, with possible legal action down the road if they do not comply. They have compiled a long list of crimes that have either occurred inside the buildings or have been linked to criminals using the motels as safe havens.

In order for the motels to improve, either on their own accord or by court order, we as individuals in the community need to send an email highlighting our own accounts in dealing with the motels: whether it is seeing prostitutes enter/exit the buildings; drug paraphernalia on or around the perimeter; being harassed by hotel guests; or simply any emotion/reaction you feel when you walk near them.

I have personally been told stories by members of our community that are shocking and sad. The only way to improve the situation for all of us is to convey your thoughts and experiences to the local authorities.

Lt Eric Burnett has asked that all complaints be sent to him: Eric...@montgomerycountymd.gov . Please put "Days Inn Motel" in the subject line.

The only way we can fix this problem is by publicly voicing our outrage with the poor and dangerous business practices at the Days Inn & Travelodge motels. This affects everyone in South Silver Spring (Eastern Village Cohousing, 8045 Newell, the Aurora, the Silverton, the Gramax, the Mica), East Silver Spring, Shepherd Park and the greater community.

Please take a few minutes to send an email to Lt Burnett. Your email is the easiest and most efficient way to make our neighborhood safer.

County Executive Isiah Leggett is seeking applicants to fill three vacancies on the Silver Spring Urban District Advisory Committee. One vacancy is for a small business representative from businesses that employ fewer than 25 employees; two vacancies are for representatives of residential communities in the urban district. The incumbents are eligible to apply for reappointment.

The committee provides information and advice to the Silver Spring Regional Services Center regarding promotions, maintenance, service levels, and budgetary guidance for the downtown Silver Spring Urban District.

Members serve three-year terms without compensation and meet the third Thursday of each month at 3:30 p.m. in Silver Spring.

Applicants should write to County Executive Isiah Leggett no later than April 11 at the Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville, MD 20850, or send an e-mail to Coun...@montgomerycountymd.gov . The application should include a cover letter outlining the reasons you wish to serve, and a brief resume including home and work telephone numbers. Members of County boards, committees, and commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time. Members of this committee are eligible for reimbursement for travel and dependent care for meetings attended.

Leggett’s appointments are subject to confirmation by the County Council. Applications of those selected for appointment are made public as part of the confirmation process.

Gary Stith, Director
Silver Spring Regional Center and Urban District
8435 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-565-7359 office direct
301-565-7365 fax
301-565-7300 office main

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett is seeking applicants for the new Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District Advisory Committee.

The group will advise the Executive on community issues related to arts and entertainment venues in Silver Spring.

“Throughout the recent process to bring a new entertainment venue to Silver Spring, we told residents that this type of committee would be established. It’s important that their input continues to be received in matters relating arts and entertainment venues in their community,” Leggett said.

Resumes should be submitted – no later than Friday, March 21 – to Gary Stith, Director, Silver Spring Regional Services Center, 8435 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, 20910; or email gary...@montgomerycountymd.gov.

For additional information, contact Gary Stith at 301-565-7300.

The zoning text amendment to build taller buildings near the Silver Spring metro was approved by the Montgomery County Council on November 20. This change was supported by SSSNA and a handful of our neighbors even went to Rockville to provide testimony.

This not only paves the way for smarter growth in our community, but it is an added incentive for National Public Radio to move to our neighborhood.

Read the article:

Gazette Article

Washington Post article

Critics Question Fillmore Plans
9:30 Club's Offer For Silver Spring Tantalizes Some

By Ann E. Marimow
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, November 25, 2007; C01

When negotiations to bring a Birchmere Music Hall to Silver Spring collapsed after five years in the works, Montgomery County leaders were anxious to find a new partner to enliven a boarded-up downtown block. County Executive Isiah Leggett had spent political capital fighting to fund the Birchmere project, so his advisers were relieved to learn that Live Nation, a national brand, was interested in taking its place.

"I thought, wow, a national company with a great name and access to a lot of acts," said Timothy Firestine, Leggett's chief administrative officer. "I thought it was an exciting opportunity."

But even as Leggett (D) intends to finalize an agreement with Live Nation by the end of next month, a group of residents and County Council members are questioning whether his plan to spend $8 million in state and local funds to build one of the company's Fillmore clubs is the best deal for taxpayers.

They are urging Leggett to consider a pitch from local promoter Seth Hurwitz, who says he can provide a "superior music venue at a dramatically reduced cost." Hurwitz, whose company owns the District's 9:30 Club and operates Merriweather Post Pavilion, said he is willing to pay twice as much in monthly rent as Live Nation, contribute $2 million to defray taxpayer cost, split the naming rights with the county and offer the venue rent-free to some community nonprofit groups.

"The idea that you need to subsidize anyone in this place is nuts. Why they'd feel they need to give the place away is beyond me," said Hurwitz, of Bethesda-based IMP Productions. "This is such a ridiculous deal."

Much is at stake for the county executive in the costliest, highest-profile, public project he has announced since taking office a year ago. Leggett and the owners of the property at the old JCPenney site, Lee Development Group, say the offer from Hurwitz arrived too late. To entertain Hurwitz's proposal would undermine the county's credibility in future business deals, they say.

"You may be able to produce an immediate beneficial cost, but down the line, the loss of the credibility, your reputation, your honest dealings with people," Leggett said in an interview last week. "Not negotiating in good faith costs the county big time going down the line."

He called the counteroffer "just a distraction."

But some Silver Spring residents and council members, who control the county's checkbook, are not convinced.

"I don't consider the case closed in support of any one operator," said council member George L. Leventhal (D-At Large).

A neighborhood advisory committee appointed by the county executive is also pressing Leggett to look at Hurwitz's homegrown offer before signing a deal with the Los Angeles company.

"If a local business owner is able to do what a national brand is able to do, and in a less expensive way, I don't know how or why we're not entertaining such offers," said Evan Glass, president of the South Silver Spring Neighborhood Association.

Local sentiment is not unanimous. An organization that represents the presidents of 11 civic associations in the neighborhoods surrounding downtown Silver Spring reached consensus last week that the county should continue its course with Live Nation.

Barbara Ditzler, president of the Woodside Park Civic Association, compared the county's relationship with that of a betrothed couple: "We shouldn't have Silver Spring dating other people now that he is engaged."

Under the tentative agreement signed in September, the county and state would each invest $4 million to build a 32,000-square-foot venue at Colesville Road and Georgia Avenue. The developers would donate the land, worth about $3.5 million, to the county as part of their plans for a $110 million multiuse real estate project.

Bruce Lee, president of Lee Development Group, said he is committed to Leggett and his deal with Live Nation. "We're moving fast and furious," he said.

Ted Mankin, a Live Nation executive, deferred to the county on questions about the process. "We are really focused on completing our deal and moving forward," he said.

Live Nation intends to create a venue for up to 2,000 people, for which it would pay monthly rent of at least $7,500 -- the same amount the Birchmere would have paid for a 750-person venue. The asking price for retail space in downtown Silver Spring generally ranges from $35 to $50 per square foot. Live Nation would pay just under $3, a reduced rate that the county says is a necessary incentive. The letter of intent also gives the company the option to buy the property after 16 years for $8 million.

The numbers don't add up to council member Marc Elrich (D-At Large). "Why would we sell it for less than the current value, let alone the future value?" he asked.

At a time when the county is facing a budget shortfall of about $400 million and legislators are poised to make $550 million in spending cuts statewide, Leggett should have used a formal bidding process, Elrich and some community members say.

Hurwitz is trying to make that case. He has hired former Planning Board Chairman Gus Bauman to provide political advice, enlisted a local law firm, consulted with an Annapolis lobbyist and is meeting one-on-one with council members and residents.

When then-County Executive Douglas M. Duncan (D) was negotiating with the Alexandria-based Birchmere, Hurwitz said he took a pass because of that venue's special cabaret-style setting. But when he learned that the county had changed gears to create a larger nightclub, "it was time to speak up," Hurwitz said. His initial letter arrived six days after the county had signed with Live Nation.

Firestine dismissed Hurwitz's proposal as a "cut and paste job" that cherry-picked details from an existing offer. "If you did business this way, anyone could come in at the eleventh hour, " he said.

It seems unlikely, though, that the county would have been inclined to get serious with Hurwitz. When the Birchmere talks broke down, Leggett's spokesman Patrick Lacefield said, "the feedback we were getting from people was, 'Whatever you do, we don't want the 9:30 Club.' "

Hurwitz's spokeswoman, Audrey Fix Schaefer, said the company wants to build a new brand for Silver Spring, not re-create the 9:30 Club.

Hurwitz has tangled with Live Nation before, arguing last year that its plan to build one of its House of Blues venues near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center would cut business at the 9:30 Club in half. Privately, some county officials question the seriousness of Hurwitz's Silver Spring offer, believing that it is nothing but a bid to keep out the competition.

Hurwitz said he just wants a chance to compete and to make what he says is a better deal for taxpayers in the county where he lives.

Montgomery's contracting law makes four exceptions for noncompetitive bidding, none of which Hurwitz's attorney says apply to the Live Nation deal. Raymond Sherbill, who represents IMP, said the county code, much like state and federal law, makes sole-source deals "the exception rather than the rule."

Leggett administration officials say the county is on solid legal footing. The county's regulations apply to the acquisition of goods and services, not to land transactions or building leases. And the law provides an exemption for "obtaining entertainment services, including but not limited to contracts for musical performers."

Just as the county has courted biotech companies with tax incentives, the county can seek out a single operator for a specific location when it involves an economic development initiative, Firestine said.

In a letter to residents who have urged Leggett to think again about Live Nation, the county executive wrote that he views the company as a "unique partner for a unique project." That definition meets one of the sole source exceptions in county law, and is a case Duncan made in approaching the Birchmere.

Hurwitz doesn't buy it. An analysis by his company shows an 84 percent overlap in performers who played at both the 9:30 Club and either a Fillmore or a House of Blues in 2006.

No matter how the law is interpreted, residents who want Leggett to open up the process say the spirit of his approach to Live Nation seems at odds with his reputation for deliberation and his promise as a candidate to create a more transparent form of government.

"I don't care at the end of the day which one is there," said Philip Olivetti, a member of the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board. "It's what it does to people's trust in county government. When public money is involved, and at least on paper there is a potential savings for taxpayers, how you can simply dismiss it?"