Sometimes people grimace when I tell them that I live in Maryland, so I point out that I live in downtown Silver Spring and it’s a really cool place! It’s not as far as you think, just a 20 minute metro ride to Chinatown and a 15-20 minute car trip to the U-street neighborhood. Yet, if you’re trying to leave DC by way of Silver Spring, good Luck! Fridays are the worst. This is when I like being able to walk out of my apartment and go to the downtown area whenever I feel like it.
Granted, I never thought much about Silver Spring while growing up. It wasn’t a booming town; at least, not like Frederick (I dislike the idea of living in Frederick these days!). I grew to love the hustle and bustle of living in a “city” if you call it that. I like being able to step out of my apartment, hop on the metro if I feel like going into DC, or just grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants in downtown Silver Spring (Austin’s Grill, Adega Wine Cellars & Cafe, Thai at Silver Spring, Ceviche, CakeLove, Panera, and the list goes on!). The only thing really missing is a Target (I love Target…hmm maybe it’s a good thing there isn’t one within walking distance! However, there is one at the Wheaton mall). Speaking of the Wheaton Mall, I recently discovered the wonders of this place. Wheaton is definitely improving their neighborhood and become like Silver Spring. It’s working because Wheaton Mall is actually comparable to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, MD.
With all the changes around Wheaton and Silver Spring, I decided I’d look up news for these areas on the Internet. One great bit of news gave me even more incentive to stay in downtown Silver Spring. According to silverspringdowntown.com web site, Live Nation is going to take over the old J.C. Penney’s store and build a new music venue on Colesville Road. I’m absolutely ecstatic about this news! It’s going to be called Fillmore which is inspired by the original Fillmore based in San Francisco.
Live Nation is the world leader in live music entertainment industry, and second largest entertainment venue management company in the world. Just like the 9:30 club except it’s in Silver Spring. Fillmore is supposed to seat 500 people or 2,000 people standing. They have plans to bring in all kinds of music, including rock, pop, jazz, country and salsa. Some folks wondered why they weren’t bringing in rap or hip-hop tours, Ted Mankin, a representative of DC Live Nation branch, said “There are not a lot of rap and hip-hop tours, they’re just not big money makers.” I completely disagree with him. I think it’s a load of you know what! Luckily Kathy Stevens, Secretary on the Advisory board also disagrees with him. Hopefully there’ll be all kinds of music, including rock, pop, jazz, country, salsa, alternative, hip hop, rap, and all that crazy nonsense.
The plan to bring the Fillmore to Silver Spring is just going to make the city’s boom even bigger. It’s going to draw more people to the community. I wouldn’t mind working at Fillmore when it comes around! I think I’d be a regular there. Too bad the proposed opening is in late 2009, or early 2010. That’s definitely a long ways away, I can’t wait! Not to say that Silver Spring isn’t already booming because they’ve got a good start with the AFI Theater, Discovery Communications Headquarters, as well as NOAA Headquarters. They all bring something good to the community. There’s more to come! According to this web site, plans are in place to build a civic center that will include a pavilion and an ice rink. There are also plans to transform the Silver Spring Metro into a Regional Transit center, which will include a MARC commuter rail, bus stations and bicycle trails.
With all this coming to Silver Spring, what about places of residence? There’s plenty of that coming. According to this web site, Portico’s on it’s way with 158 residential units including 24 MPDU (Moderately Priced Dwelling Units). Silver Spring Gateway, with 285 apartments and 173 condos, is also going to be built. A new building coming along sometimes after winter of 2008, known as the Argent, will add 96 units, and 12 MPDUs to Silver Spring, and they’re shooting to price these units at 400k. Whoa!
I’m definitely curious about the prices are for the up and coming condos that are shooting up around the downtown area. I hope it’ll be affordable, unlike some other areas in Maryland (such as Rockville and Germantown). I’ve also gotten an up close look at the new Rockville Town Center directly across 355 from the Rockville metro station. It is fun; a lot is packed in a small space. I think there’s potential for a DPHH there just because it is right across the street from the metro station. Just an idea! =) Although, I don’t think it’s comparable to Silver Spring.
So, what’s new in your neighborhood (Clarendon, Pentagon, Dupont Circle, U Street)? What makes your place rock? Give me a reason to visit your neighborhood!
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It’s a great area, and I like it. I’m glad there’s a new music venue in town. Has anyone been to the Blues Alley in Georgetown? I’ve always been meaning to go there, and may do so next month.
[…] DeafDC Blog wrote a fantastic post today on “Booming Silver Spring!”Here’s ONLY a quick extract Silver Spring (Austin s Grill, Adega Wine Cellars Cafe, Thai at Silver Spring, Ceviche, CakeLove […]
I used to rent a house in Silver Spring…on Easley Street, to be exact. It runs parallel to Thayer Avenue and ends at Fenton Street. Within a few minutes walk to downtown Silver Spring.
I loved my neighbors…they were cool, hippie-types who made for good neighbors.
I’d recommend Silver Spring to anybody who’s considering an affordable place to live, provides easy access to subway and buses, and not too far from DC.
I believe Silver Spring is no longer affordable that it once was and has joined the rank of home market in DC metro area. Not sure about apartments though.
Hmm…I admit I don’t know what the prices are nowadays, since I last lived in Silver Spring in 2003, and my one-bedroom house cost me $700 a month in rent, which I thought was very affordable at that time.
The lower the rent is in Silver Spring more chances you’re living amongst thugs. Erin, while I respect your choice in being a cheapskate itching in your pants for a getaway to Target, you need to learn how to write objectively *throughout* a blog entry. I forgot you came from still hardly progressive Frederick. Germantown and Rockville has quite a share of thugs and these cities are the furthest from upscale. Look, you missed the train. The trend has moved elsewhere. I get major creeps when I have to drive through Wheaton. Montgomery County needs to get tough in enforcing matters with thugs. Put in high-enough speed bumps to stop those low-riders from clogging up traffic. One person with huge hair (being PC here) tried to assault me in Silver Spring but it was easy to handle and my company overheard the cop saying “that bad ass is giving Silver Spring a bad name.”
DeafSpook:
FYI, I did not “come from” Frederick.
I lived in a very nice neighborhood in Silver Spring for five years, and my neighbors certainly weren’t thugs.
Remember, I am speaking of Silver Spring circa 2003. I haven’t been to Silver Spring since I moved out of state.
In fact, why don’t you do me a favor? Visit 731 Easley Street (that was where I used to live) and tell me how it looks and take a good look at the block it is in.
deafspook– every town has it share of - in your words - “thugs.” Granted there are still some parts of silver spring that i get a little anxious if i’m by myself. Particularly when i go for a run up eastern avenue towards georgia ave, but silver spring’s changed a great bit in the last 5 years. and i definitely think for the better.
The one thing i encounter a lot in downtown silver spring is now negligent drivers are to pedestrians. I’m both a driver & pedestrian and try to pay attention to what’s going on all around me. I do think that needs major improvement. What neighborhood doesn’t need constant improvement, there’s always something you can make better? Is this not true?
also if you don’t like my writing, then don’t read it.
I always thought downtown Silver Spring sucked. But they’ve improved in the last five years or so. Still, I’m not sure that corporate plasticization of Silver Spring was a massive improvement. It’s all the same as other places and not much individuality.
Thanks for linking my site! Just want to note that after a meeting with JBG management, it’s been confirmed that the entire 457 units of the Silver Spring Gateway project will be apartments.
I feel sorry for the readers of Deaf DC.
Deafspook doesnt realize that she or he is seen as a thug in the comments. Boo! Go away!
Hey– I live in Silver Spring too. Downtown is just awesome. My gf works in Silver Spring Downtown (blueskyflims.com) And yes it is growing there and I LOVE IT THERE!!