ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 23, 2000) - Governor Parris N. Glendening today announced Board of Public Works approval of $21.4 million in grants and matching funds for the revitalization of Downtown Silver Spring. The State has previously provided grants of $4,667,832 for the urban entertainment and retail center.
"This historic $21.4 million investment in new parking garages, new cultural centers, and a new community meeting place is the latest part of our aggressive program to revitalize downtown Silver Spring," said Governor Glendening. "The Silver Spring Smart Growth effort is a perfect example of how we are curbing sprawl by making investments that encourage people to live and work in our existing communities. In just the last two years, over 150 businesses have chosen to locate or expand in Silver Spring. We are excited to partner with these businesses and Montgomery County as we continue to create a thriving and attractive downtown area for residents and visitors."
The grants and matching funds approved today will help fund public improvement projects, part of Smart Growth strategy which is revitalizing the downtown area. The funds will be applied to a $30 million streetscaping project; the $25.3 million design and construction of the Silver Circle 1,800 parking space garage; the $23.5 million design and construction of the Town Square 1,400 space parking garage; the $7.8 million stabilization and renovation of the Silver Theater; the $1.4 million design and construction of the relocated Round House Theater School and "Black Box" presentation house; and the design and construction of the $8.6 million Civic Building.
"Downtown Silver Spring is reemerging, and stands as a perfect example of how our Smart Growth policies can revitalize an entire community," said Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Chair of the Cabinet Council on Business and Economic Development. "All of Maryland can be proud of what is happening here."
The ambitious urban renewal effort also includes the construction of luxury townhomes, expansion of Montgomery College and the transit center, revitalization of Fenton Village and South Silver Spring, and improvements to Jessup Blair Park. The redevelopment area is bounded by Georgia Avenue, Colesville Road, Cedar Street, and Wayne Avenue.
Construction has already begun on the first phase of the 28-acre Downtown Silver Spring projects that will feature the development of more than one million square-feet of retail, restaurants, theaters, hotel and office space over the next three years.
With State and private-sector funding, Montgomery County is developing a $321 million, 28-acre mixed-use "town center" project for the urban renewal area. The County will provide $96 million of the funding and the State's contribution is $36 million, while a private-sector development team is investing approximately $189.4 million in the project.
"For those of us who have been working on this for years, this Silver Spring revitalization is a very, very exciting development," said Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan. "Our whole State has a stake in the success of this critical urban center. Silver Spring is on the cutting edge of what is happening in downtown revitalization today."
Chaired by the Governor, the Board of Public Works is also comprised of Comptroller William Donald Schaefer and Treasurer Richard N. Dixon. The board is empowered by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions, and other procurement actions.
The Maryland Department of General Services' (www.dgs.state.md.us) Project Management and Design Division provides administrative and technical support, including program and design review, for the State's Capital Grant and Loan Program. In FY 99, there were more than 200 grant recipients for projects with an estimated construction value of $500 million.
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CONTACT:
Dave Humphrey, Director of External Affairs
DGS Office of External Affairs
410-767-4652
E-MAIL: Dave.Humphrey@dgs.state.md.us
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