JUNE 2007

VOL. 1

A p e r i od ic u p d ate b y the M a r y l an d - Na t i on al C ap i t a l P ar k a n d P l ann i n g

S I LV E R P L AC E B U L L E T I N
PROJECT HISTORY
W H AT IS S I L V E R P L AC E ?
1998: Commission acquires the
parking lot next to the A model, mixed-use development featuring a
M-NCPPC’s Park and Planning new headquarters for the Maryland-National
headquarters from the county in Capital Park and Planning Commission’s
a land swap for the former Montgomery County staff — while fostering
Silver Spring Armory site. smart growth, a variety of housing and retail
2003: Commission approves options, and environmentally sensitive design
the “Consolidated Headquarters within Silver Spring’s central business district.
Study,” which justifies the need The project will:
for the new headquarters. The
study determined that a mini- ♦ Replace the overcrowded, inefficient
mum 30% affordable / work- Park and Planning headquarters and
force housing would be required consolidate staff from several locations. M-NCPPC’s Park and Planning headquarters in
and that a public / private part- Silver Spring.
nership allowing mixed-use ♦ Provide a mix of housing options, includ-
development of the MRO site ing condos and rental apartments.
was the best way to meet the ♦ Lower the public cost through a public /
agency’s multiple goals. ♦ Promote smart growth with a forward- private partnership allowing M-NCPPC
thinking urban design that's compatible to use the value of the land to finance a
2004: The County Council with the neighborhood and an eight- portion of the project.
appropriates $850,000 in the
minute walk from the proposed Silver
Capital Budget to fund planning
studies and the developer
Spring Transit Center.
selection process.
2005: M-NCPPC issues a
request for qualifications (RFQ)
FUTURE STEPS
for SilverPlace. A multi-agency ♦ Following a design appropriation,
evaluation committee chooses M-NCPPC and SilverPlace, LLC will
♦ On July 5, the Planning Board will
three of seven development
teams that responded as worthy review a Memorandum of Understand- begin site surveys, and environmental
of further consideration. ing (MOU) with SilverPlace, LLC, as and traffic studies.
M-NCPPC issues a request for well as a request for preliminary design ♦ Several months after the design phase
proposals (RFP) to the three funding. The MOU will clarify parame- begins, the team will submit a project
finalist teams in June 2006. ters of the project. The public is wel- plan to the Planning Board for review
January 2007: Planning Board come to attend the Board meeting. during public hearings.
approves the recommendations ♦ On July 10, M-NCPPC and SilverPlace,
of a multi-agency evaluation ♦ Throughout the review process, the
LLC, will host a community meeting SilverPlace team will host more public
committee to choose a develop-
about the project. Join us! meetings where the project architects,
ment partner: SilverPlace, LLC
(Bozzuto, Spaulding and Slye traffic engineers and landscape archi-
Investments, and Harrison tects will respond to questions from the
Development). community.
February 2007: Park and Plan-
♦ This summer, M-NCPPC will seek a
design appropriation from the County ♦ After the Board approves the preliminary
ning staff briefs the County
Council to provide funding for the initial design and project plan, the team will
Council on SilverPlace.
design phase of the project. seek a County Council appropriation for
final design and construction.
 We’re on the web! W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G
[Link] Planning Board Hearing
July 5.
The Planning Board will review the MOU
Watch for future SilverPlace and discuss action on the design funding
news, updates and event at the Planning Board meeting on July 5 at
information at: Park and Planning Headquarters,
[Link]. 8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring.
Check the Planning Board agenda for the
The site will include: time at:
• project updates, [Link]
• upcoming events, and
• blog.
Come to a SilverPlace
Community Meeting July 10!
We want to stay in touch with you as
CONTACT US
we begin to develop SilverPlace. Come to
our public meeting, 7 p.m. July 10 at Park
For more information, please and Planning Headquarters,
contact: ♦ The Program of Requirements for the new Park and 8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring.
Planning headquarters building is being finalized, and
Bridget Stesney
will also be reviewed by the Planning Board at an
(301) 650-5660
MCP-SilverPlace@[Link] upcoming meeting.

♦ On March 14, staff and SilverPlace, LLC team mem-