Silverblog tag:www.takoma.com,2007:/silverblog//9 2007-07-12T22:55:52Z A discussion of hometown issues related to Silver Spring, Maryland—sponsored by the Silver Spring Voice. Movable Type 3.2 Silver Spring Transit Center to move forward tag:www.takoma.com,2007:/silverblog//9.266 2007-07-12T22:47:54Z 2007-07-12T22:55:52Z The following is a press release from the Montgomery County Planning Board, dated July 12, 2007. —ed. Resolving an important issue about a parkland easement on the site of the Silver Spring Transit Center—a proposed hub for Metro trains,... blogpop http://www.takoma.com The following is a press release from the Montgomery County Planning Board, dated July 12, 2007. —ed.

Resolving an important issue about a parkland easement on the site of the Silver Spring Transit Center—a proposed hub for Metro trains, buses, taxis and bicycles in the community’s downtown—the Montgomery County Planning Board today worked out an agreement with two public works agencies that allows the project to proceed.

The Board, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, owns an easement on a public plaza that they needed to abandon to allow construction of the transit center, slated for Colesville Road and Wayne Avenue at the site of the existing Silver Spring Metro station. Yesterday, the Board agreed to let the county Department of Public Works and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority replace that plaza in exchange for two new parks.

]]> The agreement, encapsulated in a Memorandum of Understanding, was several weeks in coming. The Board agreed to exchange its 35,000-square-foot Metro Urban Park for an 11,633-square-foot park at the transit plaza entrance and an 11,590-square-foot park just off site. Board members indicated they were willing to accept less parkland in exchange for higher-quality design and materials in the parks as well as to advance the project and its expected benefits for Silver Spring-area residents and commuters.

In the agreement, the Board made it clear that it expects the county and WMATA to build all of what it deems “essential elements” for the transit center, such as glass canopies over the escalators and pedestrian areas, large shade trees, and attractive sidewalk pavers and light fixtures that are consistent with the surrounding downtown. If budget shortfalls preclude the public works agencies from building those elements, commissioners indicated they wanted the Board and the agencies to work together to secure additional funding from the federal or state governments and/or the Montgomery County Council.

“I’m very hopeful that County Executive Leggett will make it clear that these are important items that deserve funding and that the project proceeds as it has been presented to the public,” said Planning Board Chairman Royce Hanson. “We’re trying to get what it seems everyone wants.”

The Board considered the transit center in early June in a second mandatory referral hearing. The mandatory referral process requires the Planning Board and its professional planning staff to review and make recommendations about such issues as safety, design and architectural treatments for public projects.

Today’s agreement allows the project to move forward. County officials will seek construction bids for the transit center later this summer.

]]> Watch the pawkin' metahs tag:www.takoma.com,2007:/silverblog//9.265 2007-07-12T16:43:42Z 2007-07-12T22:59:46Z Recently, news outlets, including the Voice, have publicized a controversy over a proposed change in parking, that would extend hours that meters are in effect. The county would make more money, and theoretically, there would be more parking turn-over. Merchants... blogpop http://www.takoma.com Recently, news outlets, including the Voice, have publicized a controversy over a proposed change in parking, that would extend hours that meters are in effect. The county would make more money, and theoretically, there would be more parking turn-over. Merchants in South Silver Spring however, noted that the new parking rules would apply to them, but not to the park garages around Ellsworth Drive. It was as if the county was giving customers one more reason to shop in the central business district instead of spunky South Silver Spring and other small business areas outside the center.

Here's a link to the July 07 Voice article on this issue: www.silverspringvoice.com/archives/copy/2007/07/parkingmeters.html

And after the jump (below) is a letter sent out by John Landis, co-owner of Crisfield and President of the South Silver Spring Merchant Association. In it, Landis outlines the issue from the point of view of small businesses. He also gives information on how to get involved:

]]> Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I want to take just a moment to tell you where we as a group stand on the expansion of parking meter times as proposed by Montgomery County.

As you may or may not be aware the County Council approved a measure that would require that parking meters and paid county parking lots and garages be in effect from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. not the current 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. times. These new times would also include Saturdays as well which are now currently free and be in effect county wide.

We at the SSSMA feel this is an unwise and unwarranted impediment to commerce. We feel that especially for the now resurgent and redeveloping area of South Silver Spring it is a serious hindrance to the great strides we have made thus far in revitalizing our neighborhood. Beyond our own backyards these same road blocks to progress would adversely affect the areas of Wheaton, Kensington, Montgomery Hills, East Silver Spring and Woodside.

As consumers of the products and services provided by the many and diverse vendors around the county we should be seeking ways to promote the comfort and ease of the experience. We ask that you join us in supporting the parking regulations as they stand now.

Please join us in testifying at the public hearing before the County Council on July 26, 2007. To register your group, association, business or individual self to testify contact Delphine Harris at the County Council offices at: (240) 777-7931.

Please feel free to contact me directly at: southsilverspringma@verizon.net or: (301) 980-5570

For more information or to discuss this matter further. Also if you do register to testify please E-mail me so we can coordinate our efforts.

Thank You,
John R. Landis
President, South Silver Spring Merchant’s Association

[editor's note: John Landis is also a correspondent for the Silver Spring Voice, but he is not writing in that capacity here]

]]> Who owns Silver Spring? tag:www.takoma.com,2007:/silverblog//9.254 2007-07-10T21:01:13Z 2007-07-22T19:48:33Z To kick off this new Silver Spring blog, I thought that recent tension over public property in Silver Spring would be fitting. By now, most Silver Spring residents are surely aware of the controversy that was raised when amateur photographer... blogpop http://www.takoma.com To kick off this new Silver Spring blog, I thought that recent tension over public property in Silver Spring would be fitting.

By now, most Silver Spring residents are surely aware of the controversy that was raised when amateur photographer Chip Py was stopped from taking photographs on Ellsworth Drive. This drew further attention to the fact that the once public thoroughfare is now essentially private, as is all of the "public" space around it (fountain, stairs, tables, etc.). PFA Silver Spring LLC, the company that owns this town center relented regarding photography, but the question is now public: Who owns Silver Spring?

What do you think?

—ed.

The July 2007 Voice is running an article on this topic (Click here to read: www.silverspringvoice.com/archives/copy/2007/07/Who_owns_SS.html).

Further food for thought—this video shot by Silver Spring resident Richard Jaeggi at a July 4 protest: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyJUuUX-De0

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