State and county sweeten deal for Birchmere
Community and government indicate strong support for proposed Silver Spring music hall
by Janelle Zara
Proposals to build a new Birchmere in Downtown Silver Spring could cut out the trek through D.C. for Montgomery County residents and bring the likes of Dick Dale, Peter Frampton and Paula Poundstone to their own backyard.
The Virginia-based Birchmere, "America's Legendary Music Hall," as it likes to call itself, has indeed had several legends grace its stages. The idea of building a sister location in downtown Silver Spring has excited area residents who were tired of the commute.
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The Department of Economic Development suggested Birchmere owners build their new venue at the site of an old downtown J.C. Penney, according to Gary Stith of the Silver Spring Regional Center.
"It's an arts and entertainment district highly visible across the street from other high visibility arts group," Stith said. "We were encouraging it because it helps preserve historic facade and enliven other side of the street."
Local residents Alan Friedman and Dan Cohen created Silver Spring Forward, a community website urging the revitalization of downtown Silver Spring.
"We were absolutely stunned by the incredible response we got almost overnight in favor of having the Birchmere here," said Cohen. "So many people wanting to see this thing happen, not just from the Silver Spring area but all over the county and neighboring counties, as well."
The website has received more than 1,000 expressions of support from residents who would like to see the new Birchmere as soon as possible. One of them is Theresa A. Cameron, CEO of the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County.
"Sometimes it's just really far away," said Cameron, who has driven over an hour and a half to get to a Birchmere show in Alexandria. She said she typically goes to see Irish and blues rock bands.
"It's really going to enliven Colesville Road," added Cameron. "I'm really looking forward to seeing some artists that you know none of our other organizations in the county are presenting," in particular some Irish, Scottish and blues rock bands. "Oh yeah definitely, I think it's a good thing."
The Lee Development Group, commissioned by the county to build the new Birchmere, couldn't agree more, said LDG President Bruce Lee, himself a Birchmere patron.
The new venue would be a "shot in the arm for Silver Spring," Lee said, able to seat 600 to 750 people who otherwise would notbe downtown.
Progress for the Birchmere is moving forward, as Lee expects a busy summer getting approval from the Park and Planning Commission and County Council.
"I'm blown away with the amount of support we've had politically and in the community," Lee added.
The governor's budget has already devoted $4 million to the new Birchmere over the next two fiscal years, and County Executive Ike Leggett has expressed his support by matching those numbers, said Stith.
Once county approvals have been finalized, Lee Development plans to donate 20 percent of the area at the Birchmere site, bringing the total value of the land to approximately $3.5 million.
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