Showing posts with label Maryland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maryland. Show all posts
Friday, July 23, 2010
Monday, August 31, 2009
LIVE NATION'S FILLMORE MOVING INTO SILVER SPRING, MD
Silver Spring's Fillmore negotiations drag on, developer hoping for deal in 30 to 60 days
By: Alan Suderman
Examiner Staff Writer
August 20, 2009
A Montgomery County developer said he expects to reach a deal with the county within the next 30 to 60 days to build a long-awaited music hall in Silver Spring.
County Executive Ike Leggett announced a deal two years ago with California-based Live Nation that would bring a Fillmore Music Hall to a former J.C. Penney store site on Silver Spring's Colesville Road. The deal would preserve the historic facade of the store, which has sat empty for nearly 20 years. Leggett pushed the County Council last year to approve $4 million in funds and special land-use rule changes that were supposed to pave the way for a deal with the developer, Lee Development Group.
But the path to the deal has been long, and Lee and Leggett are still trying to hammer out a deal, with the sticking points in their debate being kept private.
"We're almost there," said Bruce Lee, head of Lee Development Group.
Lee said his company is being asked to donate a "very valuable" piece of land before it has created a plan to build up the rest of the adjacent property it owns. In return, Lee said he wants assurances that the current county's rules for development won't change when his company decides to develop the rest of its property.
"We're not asking for additional density, we're not asking for money," Lee said. "We're not asking for anything outside the box."
The county official who is Leggett's point person on the project could not be reached for comment.
The Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board, which supports building the Fillmore, has complained about the negotiations' lack of openness. Chairman Darian Unger said he is pleased to hear that a deal may be close, adding that his group has spent a long time waiting on "pins and needles."
Efforts to get a live music hall in Silver Spring date several years, first with the county unsuccessfully trying to get Alexandria's Birchmere Music Hall to open a second venue in Silver Spring.
County Councilman Marc Elrich, D-At Large, who voted against the zoning changes, said he and other council members were told last year that approval for the project was "critical" and "couldn't afford delay." He said it's "frustrating" not to have heard any updates on the project since.
Councilwoman Duchy Trachtenberg, D-At Large, said it was "troubling" that the project hadn't moved forward faster and that the County Council would have a "robust conversation" about the project if a deal isn't reached soon.
By: Alan Suderman
Examiner Staff Writer
August 20, 2009
A Montgomery County developer said he expects to reach a deal with the county within the next 30 to 60 days to build a long-awaited music hall in Silver Spring.
County Executive Ike Leggett announced a deal two years ago with California-based Live Nation that would bring a Fillmore Music Hall to a former J.C. Penney store site on Silver Spring's Colesville Road. The deal would preserve the historic facade of the store, which has sat empty for nearly 20 years. Leggett pushed the County Council last year to approve $4 million in funds and special land-use rule changes that were supposed to pave the way for a deal with the developer, Lee Development Group.
But the path to the deal has been long, and Lee and Leggett are still trying to hammer out a deal, with the sticking points in their debate being kept private.
"We're almost there," said Bruce Lee, head of Lee Development Group.
Lee said his company is being asked to donate a "very valuable" piece of land before it has created a plan to build up the rest of the adjacent property it owns. In return, Lee said he wants assurances that the current county's rules for development won't change when his company decides to develop the rest of its property.
"We're not asking for additional density, we're not asking for money," Lee said. "We're not asking for anything outside the box."
The county official who is Leggett's point person on the project could not be reached for comment.
The Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board, which supports building the Fillmore, has complained about the negotiations' lack of openness. Chairman Darian Unger said he is pleased to hear that a deal may be close, adding that his group has spent a long time waiting on "pins and needles."
Efforts to get a live music hall in Silver Spring date several years, first with the county unsuccessfully trying to get Alexandria's Birchmere Music Hall to open a second venue in Silver Spring.
County Councilman Marc Elrich, D-At Large, who voted against the zoning changes, said he and other council members were told last year that approval for the project was "critical" and "couldn't afford delay." He said it's "frustrating" not to have heard any updates on the project since.
Councilwoman Duchy Trachtenberg, D-At Large, said it was "troubling" that the project hadn't moved forward faster and that the County Council would have a "robust conversation" about the project if a deal isn't reached soon.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Bank Robbery, Obama, and Free Cupcakes in Bethesda?
Good looks from the people over aet DCist.com...
Robbery, Obama, and Cupcakes: One Exciting Day In Bethesda
2009_0307_Bethesda at Night.jpg
Photo of Bethesda by sintixerr.
Whilst enjoying a few beers and the weather with friends yesterday, the conversation wiggled its way towards drinking establishments in Bethesda, D.C.'s friendly borough/township/indefinable blob of offices and residences to the north. Personally -- and, of course, this is opinion at best -- I've got nothing against Bethesda on the whole, but there's certainly no gravitational pull marching me closer to the inner Montgomery County suburban area. Sure, there's a couple of bars, a restaurant here or there, and it's certainly Metro-accessible, but really, it's just kind of...there.
But if Bethesda has more action-packed days like yesterday, I might have to change my predisposition towards other, closer-in destinations. Not only was there a bank robbery -- foiled by customers and employees, no less! -- but Barack Obama rolled into town for a parent-teacher conference at Sidwell Friends right around the corner. Then a whole bunch of people got free cupcakes! (Take that, other area municipalities!)
First, the robbery: according to multiple sources, a District man held up the Bank of America at 7316 Wisconsin Avenue yesterday -- apparently for the second time in less than a month. (The man also had a warrant out for a robbery he committed at the same branch on February 13). After he demanded cash and absconded with currency in hand, two bank employees and one customer pursued on foot -- not exactly a police-recommended tactic, but definitely ballsy as all get out -- tackling the man two blocks away. The robber was eventually arrested and the money was returned.
Oh, but there's more! At the same time, the Prez's motorcade arrived but a couple blocks away for a meeting at Sidwell Friends' satellite campus, assumedly about young Sasha's academic performance -- although one can hardly blame Sasha's teacher if she had the ulterior motive of wanting an audience with the Obamas. (Hey, maybe it was to thank them for the extra drink or two per paycheck that the newly passed economic stimulus will provide us worker bees. Since reporters weren't allowed inside, I suppose we'll never know.) To top off the busy afternoon, there were treats distributed: Takoma-based blog Redline reports that those who were anxious to get a wave in towards Obama got some free tasty morsels from an intrepid local bakery.
Brazen citizen vigilance, visits from one of the world's most popular world leaders, and free cupcakes? Geez, Bethesda's lookin' up.
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