Councilwoman Valerie Ervin Sheds Light on Birchmere Talks
By Silver Springer • Jul 27th, 2007 • Category: Business and Economic Development, Government and Politics
I too am disappointed that the County could not reach an agreement with the Birchmere; however, the Department of Economic Development was not able to reach an agreement that would have provided essential protections for the County. I will continue to advocate for a music hall at the JC Penny site because of the tremendous boost this use would give to Silver Spring’s Arts and Entertainment District.Â
I think the assertion that people are, “not happy about the prospect of the Fillmore and the House of Blues†is premature. I believe that community support for the Birchmere was linked to the community’s overall desire that live music would find a great home in downtown Silver Spring. We are very hopeful that this momentum will continue if a new provider would be a good match for the neighboring community and meet required County contract terms.
The concerns you raise about traffic, noise, and parking are critical to the success of any new endeavor, and the Department of Economic Development and Park and Planning will evaluate these impacts. I continue to believe that the JC Penny site is an ideal location for a music venue because it is not adjacent to residential properties, additional parking may be constructed, and the North side of Colesville Road needs a significant project to jumpstart its revitalization. As more information about the Department of Economic Development’s negotiations becomes public we will pass this on to you. Your insights are always helpful and appreciated. I hope you will lend a hand in garnering the support needed for bringing a music venue to Silver Spring.Â
Valerie
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Valerie Ervins statement that the site is “not adjacent to residential properties” is BS. I live in Montgomery Arms Apartments, which is directly across from the site on Fenton Street. If they build this venue with a 2,000 seat capacity, which will likely cover the entire area that is now the Lee Building parking lot, noise will be a HUGE problem for the residents in my building. Parking will be another huge problem. There is a very small parking lot provided for the residents of my building that requires a permit to park in. There are probably 10-15 signs in the parking lot stating that the parking in that lot is for residents only. As it is, there are not enough space for the residents. Everyday I watch as assholes who think the rules do not apply to them and their gigantic SUVs park in our lot and go and conduct their business at Jerrys or the Montgomery Centre or LA Fitness or whatever. I can only imagine the parking nightmare that will come as a result of the Filmore being built in an area which can,in no possible way, support a 2,000 seat venue.
You want MORE parking in a Metro-accessible downtown area? Wow.
Your statement that this area “can, in no possible way, support a 2,000 seat venue” is BS. Everday, thousands of people come to downtown Silver Spring for entertainment, including the outdoors concerts, bars with live bands, and movie theaters. You live here, you should know that–but you’re probably only saying that because you don’t want a live music venue near you. I highly doubt that noise would be a problem for you. Modern concert venues are virtually sound-proof. Even older warehouse-type buildings converted into clubs with music twice as loud as a live music venue contain sound within acceptable levels, and are virtually inaudible 50 feet away, let alone if you’re inside another building (ahem, Montgomery Arms, for example). So stop your worrying. You should be more worried about a reversal of Silver Spring’s fortunes and a stagnation of development north and south of the “Downtown Silver Spring” project.
Why would I be worried about a “reversal of Silver Spring’s fortunes”? I guess I am an ass because I don’t want 2,000 loud, drunk people right outside my front door every night? I am as happy as anyone about all of the nice things that have come to Silver Spring, and I say that having lived here 8 years ago when the area was still “ghetto”. Yes, Silver Spring is right near a metro stop but the reality is that most of the people patronizing Silver Spring (that do not live within walking distance) are driving their cars here, not taking the metro.
Valerie Ervin’s statement is right. The are no residential buildings adjacent to the site. Montgomery Arms is across the street. If you don’t like living in an urban area on the up and up with a great music venue moving in across the street (name of venue tbd), then move out to rockville or wheaton.
Why would there be 2,000 loud drunk people outside your door…that doesn’t make any sense. It’s not going to be a nightclub where all they really want you to do is buy drinks… think about it!
Even Wheaton has live music venues, just as South Silver Spring does. Wheaton even has two nightclubs.
At this point, we have no idea where the pedestrian and vehicular entries, exits, etc. would be to this 2000 seat venue or the other portions of this this multi-use development.
In all likelihood though, there will be a large garage incorporated into the plan and probably with direct access to the music hall.
I agree with Pennster, etc. that if you aren’t comfortable with a lot of people out on the sidewalks in front of Montgomery Arms, then you shouldn’t be living there. It’s an urban environment and it’s only going to get more congested as the neighborhood continues to develop. Within the next 24 months, you’ll have a new hotel next to you, More apartments behind you and a massive mixed development one block away at Colesville & Spring. Not having a music hall won’t stop the deluge of people.
I think the Silver Spring community has enough musical/entertainment ammenities for now. I’m glad Leggett put this to rest. Does Silver Spring really want to attract rowdy, drunk crowds with second rate entertainment? Over at Strathmore Hall, Montgomery County’s Home for the Arts, classical music rules and nice, sophisticated people do not make any trouble. As the centerpiece of Montgomery’s music scene, I think we should invest further in this facility and not in private ventures that will attract crowds that local residents, such as those that posted on this board, do not want.
The Strathmore is nice, but it’s not FUN! It is nice if you want to dress up and experience fine art. But there are people who enjoy good old fashioned foot stomping hand clapping music. Jazz, Rock, Country, R&B, Soul, Neo Soul, Hip Hop. It’s all part of American culture. I don’t think the Strathmore can handle that.
I agree that it is going to be second-rate crap that no one would want to see anyway….