Rumor Mill: Old Silver Spring Firehouse Has Plans
By Silver Springer • Dec 18th, 2006 • Category: Uncategorized
Several bidders with some very interesting investment plans have come forth to transform the historic Silver Spring Firehouse (across the street from the new one). Word on the street is that an investor has snatched up the property which is being auctioned off by the Silver Spring Volunteer Fire Department and Montgomery county Government.
I will reveal what’s rumored to fill the firehouse Wednesday. For now I’ve setup two polls, first one is for your chance to guess the right answer, second is what you would like to see occupy the fire house.
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More people need to vote for this to be definitive.
“definitive”… huh? Regardless of how many people vote, the sample is probably not representative of the general population. Thus biased… and never definitive…
I think it’d be an ideal music club - a building with that much character shouldn’t be wasted on a brewery (good bye, all ages) or a snooty art gallery.
Why’s “Apple Store” on there? Don’t tell me they’re gonna become an Apple Store . . . Wednesday’s not gonna be here soon enough!
I think it’d be an ideal music club - a building with that much character shouldn’t be wasted on a brewery (good bye, all ages) or a snooty art gallery.
Why’s “Apple Store” on there? Don’t tell me they’re gonna become an Apple Store . . . Wednesday’s not gonna be here soon enough!
I think it’d be an ideal music club - a building with that much character shouldn’t be wasted on a brewery (good bye, all ages) or a snooty art gallery.
Why’s “Apple Store” on there? Don’t tell me they’re gonna become an Apple Store . . . Wednesday’s not gonna be here soon enough!
If I were the buyers, I would keep the original firehouse facade. You can either make a brewery or a night club out of that place.
Actually, I would love to see a place where life bands play in Silver Spring.
Anonymous said…
I would like to see a Harris Teeter or Wegmans somewhere near South SS because if 500 residential units are going into SS Gateway, the local Giant can’t handle the traffic, but I think that whatever goes in here will need to preserve the building. Maybe a Trader Joe’s or Roots would be more appropriate.
12/18/2006 02:14:28 PM
RE: Why preserve the building????,
ihateyuppies said…
If I were the buyers, I would keep the original firehouse facade. You can either make a brewery or a night club out of that place.
Actually, I would love to see a place where life bands play in Silver Spring.
12/18/2006 07:20:39 PM
RE: What will preserving the old building will due to improve the economic growth and the quality of life in Silver Spring??????
Why preserve the building?
Wow, I can tell you guys don’t make donations to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. You must pay your dues to the Chamber of Commerce instead.
Listen, do we really want more Ellsworth Ave. cookie cutter crap in DTSS?
Geez, if it were up to you guys, you would have the old Silver Theater destroyed for an un-sightly big box store. Who needs culture and entertainment in DTSS? Right? We need minimum-wage jobs for a national chain stores in DTSS. That’s good for the Silver Spring economy, right?
I bet a bunch of citizens can go the historic district commission of Montgomery County and get that fire house zoned as a historic landmark. Which means the new owner can’t take a wrecking ball to the building without going numerous public hearings and potential court battles.
Hmmmm…
I believe that it’s already been deemed historic or at least keeping most of the structure intact are some of the stipulations for buying it.
I think it would be poetically ironic if we could burn it down and then build a sub set of the Blairs over it with no sprinkler system, or a disfunctional one. Not that I wish death or general unhappyment on any man, woman, child or organism in nature.
Peace…all we need is love.
Separate thread here is probably appropriate, but thought I’d post that there is a 14 story building proposed on the west side of GA at the corner with Cameron (across from the CC Bank). It would replace the 8 story Sun Trust Bank building and include approximately 28,000 s.f. of office, ground level retail and 105 multi-family units. There is a Developement Review sign out front…anyone know more about this? Anyone have updates on the miscellaneous other proposed developments previously discussed on here (i.e. the Falkland Chase site).
That was fun…
I’ve been inside and the space is much bigger than it appears.
It could provide multiple needs.
The back bay could be an art gallery/boutique. Front area for restaurant/club. Middle area, loungey/chill bar and upstairs for office, admin.
Unfortunately, we’re not going to see anything that inventive here.
I heard a rumor today at work (NOAA) that a gay dance club is looking at moving in there. That would be very fun! I do not like dudes, but the gays know how to party!
ihateyuppies said…
Why preserve the building?
Wow, I can tell you guys don’t make donations to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. You must pay your dues to the Chamber of Commerce instead.
Listen, do we really want more Ellsworth Ave. cookie cutter crap in DTSS?
Geez, if it were up to you guys, you would have the old Silver Theater destroyed for an un-sightly big box store. Who needs culture and entertainment in DTSS? Right? We need minimum-wage jobs for a national chain stores in DTSS. That’s good for the Silver Spring economy, right?
I bet a bunch of citizens can go the historic district commission of Montgomery County and get that fire house zoned as a historic landmark. Which means the new owner can’t take a wrecking ball to the building without going numerous public hearings and potential court battles.
Hmmmm…
12/19/2006 01:44:26 AM
RE: WOW…… You’ll say anything to keep Montgomery County from looking Upscale/21st Century Modernism as your neck of the woods of Nothern Virginia were the so called grass is greener.
ihateyuppie said…
I bet a bunch of citizens can go the historic district commission of Montgomery County and get that fire house zoned as a historic landmark. Which means the new owner can’t take a wrecking ball to the building without going numerous public hearings and potential court battles.
Hmmmm…
12/19/2006 01:44:26 AM
RE: Gee I wonder what will it take to get some higher ups to investigate the people who are trying to sabatoge every form of economic progress in Montgomery County(and other parts of Maryland) and prove that these so-called Maryland citizens are actually a bunch of bitter Maryland hating southern/confederate so-called historians from Virginia(and more tan likely further south) that have been trying for generations to get back at Maryland for helping the Union defeat the good ol’ boy psycho racists of the good ol’ confederate south.
Silver Springer said…
I believe that it’s already been deemed historic or at least keeping most of the structure intact are some of the stipulations for buying it.
12/19/2006 07:55:45 AM
RE: So you are contridicting yourself by supporting the existance of older buildings(30+ years) in Silver Spring which in turn makes it very difficult to build taller buildings that will continue to help further increase economic growth in Silver Spring.
Well I learn something new everyday.
Anonymous said…
RE: So you are contridicting yourself by supporting the existance of older buildings(30+ years) in Silver Spring which in turn makes it very difficult to build taller buildings that will continue to help further increase economic growth in Silver Spring.
Well I learn something new everyday.
12/20/2006 12:35:05 AM
I never said I wanted all “30+ years” buildings destroyed.
I take it by a case by case basis. If the building has the architectural significance and historical value then I am all in favor of keeping it or incorporating it if it passes the test.
That location would be PERFECT for a Wendy’s!!!!!
I knew I forgot to add a selection to the poll.
To the Anonymous Guy Who is Obsessed with Civil War History:
A Few Observations:
1. Maryland was a neutral state during the American Civil War. You had pro-Union and pro-Confederate supporters in Maryland but the state remained neutral.
2. If Maryland is such a hotbed of anti-development Confederate supporters, then why does Maryland have one the highest per capita African-American populations in the United States? Furthermore, African-American per capita family incomes from Maryland are the higest in the country. Maryland has the highest number of black entrepreneurs in the country!
3. There is anti-development fervor in Northern states such as Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and New Jersey. I guess you could call them “Confederates” even though it’s in the heart of Yankee territory.
4. I can tell you happen to be an African-American who votes and supports Republican economic policies. Hey, good for you…it’s a free country. There’s nothing wrong being a black American who votes Republican. I didn’t vote for Michael Steele but he is an honest hard-working political leader.
But let me tell you that some of the most reactionary, Jim Crow-supporting guys represent the Republican Party and Big Business in general. It’s no irony that the Republican Party gets big support from conservative white Southerners…you know, the “Confederate” sympathizers that you loathe so much.
5. We are heading into 2007…not 1865. In case you haven’t noticed.
ihateyuppies said…
To the Anonymous Guy Who is Obsessed with Civil War History:
A Few Observations:
1. Maryland was a neutral state during the American Civil War. You had pro-Union and pro-Confederate supporters in Maryland but the state remained neutral.
RE: Wrong! Maryland is a southern state that had soldiers that help the Northern State defeat the south which is why you bitter southerners(yes virginia included) doesn’t claim Maryland as a southern state.
2. If Maryland is such a hotbed of anti-development Confederate supporters, then why does Maryland have one the highest per capita African-American populations in the United States? Furthermore, African-American per capita family incomes from Maryland are the higest in the country. Maryland has the highest number of black entrepreneurs in the country!
RE: I never stated that the anti-Development confederate southerners reside in the state of Maryland. What does African Americans having to do with bitter good ol’ boy southerners trying to help sabatoge economic/business growth in Maryland. Actually African Americans in the Metro Area of Atlanta, Georgia have one of the highest income in the country, thats more than likely due to the success of the Civil Rights leaders such as MLK being from Atlanta.
3. There is anti-development fervor in Northern states such as Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and New Jersey. I guess you could call them “Confederates” even though it’s in the heart of Yankee territory.
RE: Where do I start…..
New Jersey- Gambling Casinos that help the state’s economic/business/revenue growth, voted the best maintained Interstate Highways(16-18 lanes of the NJ Turnpike and GS Parkway) in the nation, built 2 or more new Upscale Indoor Malls within the last 10 years, one of the best mass transportation systems in the US.
New York- Financial District, Wall Street, Several Expressways that connects all 5 boroughs and its outskirts, the greatest rapid transportation systems in the world, one of the best upscale retail centers in the natiom
Massachusettes- Big Dig(makes the springfield mixing bowl look like a simple diamond interchange), Upscale Retail Shopping Malls, well planned Rapid Transit System also the first subway system in the nation(New York built theirs after), well planned revitalization projects throughout Boston, one of the highest numbers of High Tech/IT Employment growth in the nation
New Hampshire- Increasing suburban Boston growth in the southern part of the state, extending Mass Transit, Improved highway’s to accomidate the increasing suburban Boston Growth.
You still haven’t proved your point.
4. I can tell you happen to be an African-American who votes and supports Republican economic policies. Hey, good for you…it’s a free country. There’s nothing wrong being a black American who votes Republican. I didn’t vote for Michael Steele but he is an honest hard-working political leader.
RE: To bad the brainless Maryland voters didn’t take Ehrlich and Steele seriously, but then again most of the selfish anti-progressive democrats that were elected/selected were more than likely bought by some anti-progressive organization in a different state most like from south of Maryland.
But let me tell you that some of the most reactionary, Jim Crow-supporting guys represent the Republican Party and Big Business in general. It’s no irony that the Republican Party gets big support from conservative white Southerners…you know, the “Confederate” sympathizers that you loathe so much.
RE: From what I have observed in Maryland politics; the Democrats are just as evil, selfish, and racist.
5. We are heading into 2007…not 1865. In case you haven’t noticed.
ihateyuppies said…
I bet a bunch of citizens can go the historic district commission of Montgomery County and get that fire house zoned as a historic landmark. Which means the new owner can’t take a wrecking ball to the building without going numerous public hearings and potential court battles.
RE: You contridicted your own statement.
You can not go into the future if you keep looking back in history.
Saving an old landmarek is not an ideal way of moving forward to the future or else you would be speaking highly about doing the same with older developments in Northern Virginia(Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Springfield, Herndon, Springfield, woodbridge, etc.) instead of tearing them down and building 20-40 story towers like they are doing in Rosslyn.
So again it is nothing you can say that will CONvince me and others with common sense to believe that you are supporting the existance of older buildings in Maryland because you care about improving the quality of life in Maryland.
All you care about is making sure that Maryland does not do better than Northern Virginia’s business/economic/revenue growth because it will just ruin your pride for Virginians to move to Maryland and attract people from all over the nation to visit and spend money in Maryland instead of Virginia.
Silver Springer said…
Anonymous said…
RE: So you are contridicting yourself by supporting the existance of older buildings(30+ years) in Silver Spring which in turn makes it very difficult to build taller buildings that will continue to help further increase economic growth in Silver Spring.
Well I learn something new everyday.
12/20/2006 12:35:05 AM
I never said I wanted all “30+ years” buildings destroyed.
I take it by a case by case basis. If the building has the architectural significance and historical value then I am all in favor of keeping it or incorporating it if it passes the test.
12/20/2006 08:24:03 AM
RE: So what your saying is that you don’t support building more 20+ story office buildings that will promote more employment/economic/business/revenue growth in Silver Spring in favor of retaining old buildings that has no purpose of improving the attractiveness of an modernize Silver Spring??????????????
Anonymous,
Yeah, I know what you are all about.
Bulldoze every last inch of park area for business development.
Disregard environmental regulations so businesses can pollute the Chesapeake Bay.
Give away tons of subsidies and taxes so businesses can bring in minimum wage jobs for teens and flunkeys.
Work hard to undermine labor laws so workers endure less safe conditions with lower pay and no benefits.
Build more highways so we can have more automobiles polluting the atmosphere with Co2 emissions.
Regardless…you are basically calling Maryland a backward state. That’s funny because the last time I checked there are plenty of people who have doctorates, law degrees etc. who live in this state.
The most innovative biotechnology firms are HQ’ed in Maryland.
btw…How can you compare Maryland to New York?????? If we had New York City instead of Baltimore, we would have the best transportation system in the country. You are comparing apples to kumquats.
What’s your obsession with “upscale shopping malls”? So I guess you wouldn’t call Montgomery Mall as upscale?
Here’s what you are in a nutshell:
You are a Republican, environmental-hating, tax-cutting for the rich, keep the middle-class down, government-hating, right-wing spewing guy who wants REALLY WANTS MARYLAND TO BE JUST LIKE VIRGINIA! Furthermore, you call anyone who disagrees with you a “Confederate Maryland hater”. HAH! I called you out because you really want us to live in a Republican world just like Virginia.
Do us a favor. Sell your house. Load up the moving van. Move across the Potomac River where you can hang out with your rich, white, pro-business Republican friends.
ihateyuppies
said…
Anonymous,
Yeah, I know what you are all about.
Bulldoze every last inch of park area for business development.
RE: You don’t complain when they do that in your neck of the woods of Northern Virginia.
Disregard environmental regulations so businesses can pollute the Chesapeake Bay.
RE: Virginia is part of the Chesapeake Bay and YOU PEOPLE don’t say a thing about all the business that have taking over Northern Virginia.
Give away tons of subsidies and taxes so businesses can bring in minimum wage jobs for teens and flunkeys.
RE: Translation- You want Unemployment to increase in Maryland that will make young minorities(mostly African Americans and Latinos) tempted to make illegal money just to survive.
Work hard to undermine labor laws so workers endure less safe conditions with lower pay and no benefits.
RE: Translation- You want Maryland to increase the number of 3rd world non-english speaking Illegal Immigrants to further drain the Maryland state economy.
Build more highways so we can have more automobiles polluting the atmosphere with Co2 emissions.
RE: They are planing to make gasoline obsolete from cars within the next 10-20 years. Again YOU PEOPLE spoke nothing against the construction of the Springfield Interchange, Dulles Toll Road Extension, Widening of I-66 and I-95, construction of the Fairfax County Parkway, and Prince William County Parkway.
Regardless…you are basically calling Maryland a backward state.
RE: No, I am saying that people who are not from Maryland(more than likely from one of the good ol’ boy southern states) are trying to make Maryland out to be a backwards state due to hidden bitterness hatred against Maryland.
That’s funny because the last time I checked there are plenty of people who have doctorates, law degrees etc. who live in this state.
RE: And 85%-90% of them commute to DC or Virginia.
The most innovative biotechnology firms are HQ’ed in Maryland.
RE: And Virginia is trying tro steal that too.
btw…How can you compare Maryland to New York?????? If we had New York City instead of Baltimore, we would have the best transportation system in the country. You are comparing apples to kumquats.
RE: You brought up New York as some BS excuse to try to CON people into believing that you are not some bitter Maryland hating anti-progressive troll from a rural area of the South.
What’s your obsession with “upscale shopping malls”? So I guess you wouldn’t call Montgomery Mall as upscale?
RE: When you compare it to Tyson’s Corner, Fair Oaks, and Pentagon City it is not equaly as Upscale as those malls in Northern Virginia.
Here’s what you are in a nutshell:
You are a Republican, environmental-hating, tax-cutting for the rich, keep the middle-class down, government-hating, right-wing spewing guy who wants REALLY WANTS MARYLAND TO BE JUST LIKE VIRGINIA! Furthermore, you call anyone who disagrees with you a “Confederate Maryland hater”. HAH! I called you out because you really want us to live in a Republican world just like Virginia.
RE: Liberal False Profit Extremist Psycho’s I tell you’s, LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do us a favor. Sell your house. Load up the moving van. Move across the Potomac River where you can hang out with your rich, white, pro-business Republican friends.
RE: You finally admit to your hidden agenda to make middle/upper class Marylanders to leave the state and help your state of Virginia to maintain its snotty bougie rich enviroment.
So I now undrstand the true meaning behind your user name.
It’s okay for Virginia to attract middle/upper class people but YOU MARYLAND HATING PEOPLE want to turn the state into a 3rd world welfare corruptionist state filled with blighted towns, forrest, racism, and a national joke just like most of the southern good ol’ boy states where YOU MARYLAND HATERS hatched from.