1. “When public spaces are successful
[…] they will increase opportunities to
participate in communal activity.”
-Carr, Francis, Rivlin and Stone, 1993, p. 344
SILVER SPRING
CIVIC PLACES ASSESSMENT
Silver Spring, MD

2. Placemaking IS:
ü Community-driven
ü Visionary
ü Function before form
ü Adaptable
ü Inclusive
ü Focused on creating
destinations
ü Flexible
ü Culturally aware
ü Ever changing
ü Multi-disciplinary
ü Transformative
ü Context-sensitive
ü Inspiring
ü Collaborative
ü Sociable
Source: PPS.ORG
http://www.pps.org/reference/
what_is_placemaking/

3. Historical, modern, eclectic, cultural, and
dynamic.
“The Plan envisions shaded, tree-lined and well-placed
green parks and plazas, creating a comprehensive
system of open spaces that provide economic,
environmental, and aesthetic benefits thought downtown.”
Montgomery County’s Silver Spring Central Business District Sector Plan.
Pg. 22

4. Silver Spring
Metro Station
¼ Mile
½ Mile
Pedestrian Sheds
Veterans
Plaza

5. Stakeholders

6. Definitions

7. Veterans Plaza
Civic park type: Plaza
Stake holder: Montgomery County
“A community is more than
bricks-and-mortar. Its
expression, values, and
future are
determined by the time and
effort people spend with
each other. From story hour
at the library to job
training, Silver Spring will
build a stronger community.
The physical environment
should support that
growth.”
Source: Silver Spring Central
Business District Sector Plan,
Pg. 21

8. Sensory Garden
Civic park type: Garden
Stake holder: First Security Bank National Assoc.
c/o Discovery Communications, Inc.
“This Plan views civic
facilities as partners in
economic revitalization.
New and
regenerated facilities will
draw people downtown,
returning it to the center of
community life and creating
opportunities for economic
and social connections.”
Source: Silver Spring Central
Business District Sector Plan,
Pg. 21

9. Unknown
Civic park type: Court
Stake holder: First Security Bank National Assoc.
c/o Discovery Communications, Inc.
“This Plan views civic
facilities as Civic spaces are
formal or informal, large or
small, public or privateanywhere people meet,
cross
paths, and gather. From
sidewalks to plazas, Silver
Spring should have a
variety of civic spaces.”
Source: Silver Spring Central
Business District Sector Plan,
Pg. 21

10. Unknown
Civic park type: Urban Square
Stake holder: Montgomery County
c/o Peterson Retail Management, LC
“An urban area’s greatest
economic asset and
strongest physical definition
comes from
its pedestrian environment.
Sidewalks and streets
scaled to walkers create
active environments where
people can shop, commute,
recreate, and socialize.”
Source: Silver Spring Central
Business District Sector Plan,
Pg. 21

11. Unknown
Civic park type: Court (proposed)
Stake holder: Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
“Transportation choices go
beyond the car to link local
and regional buses and
trains, bikes and foot
travel. A system of paths
combined with a full
complement of
transportation options and
sidewalks
can increase mobility for
the elderly, handicapped,
children, and those without
a car.”
Source: Silver Spring Central
Business District Sector Plan,
Pg. 17

12. BioWall Plaza
Civic park type: Urban Square
Stake holder: United Therapeutics Corporation
“Incorporating
environmental
improvements, recreation
facilities, and landscaped
parks, plazas, and
sidewalks into downtown
revitalization will make
Silver Spring more
competitive in the
metropolitan-area
commercial and residential
markets.”
Source: Silver Spring Cen
tral Business District Sector Plan,
Pg. 22

13. Unknown
Civic park type: Urban Square
Stake holder: Fairfield Silver Spring, LP
Sculpture: Sysyphus by Wendy M. Ross
“Incorporating
environmental
improvements, recreation
facilities, and landscaped
parks, plazas, and
sidewalks into downtown
revitalization will make
Silver Spring more
competitive in the
metropolitan-area
commercial and residential
markets.”
Source: Silver Spring Central
Business District Sector Plan,
Pg. 22

14. Unknown
Civic park type: Urban Square
Stake holder: Montgomery County
“linked open space system
of gardens and parks
should be designed and
located for high
visibility to offer seasonal
variety, to be safe, to
increase property values,
and to provide flexible
recreation
opportunities.”
Sculpture: “Petalos Refrejantes” by Wilfredo
Valladere
Source: Silver Spring Central
Business District Sector Plan,
Pg. 23

15. Jesup Blair Park
Civic park type: Neighborhood Park
Stake holder: Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
“Incorporating nature into
the city makes both
economic and
environmental sense. An
environment of
superior aesthetic...the
improved image and
amenity of a well-designed
and located
park-creates value for
property owners and users,
employees and residents.
Source: Silver Spring Central
Business District Sector Plan,
Pg. 22

16. Opportunities for Placemaking
“A park is a protected area set aside for human
recreation and enjoyment.”
Thadani, Dhiru A. The Language of Town Cities, A Visual Dictionary

17. Civic Areas Name Dedication
Rachel Louise Carson
Dominique Dawes
(May 27, 1907 – April 14, 1964)
November 20, 1976

18. Demographic Trends
Source: Nielsen, My Best Segments.
u
u
u
u
Small
Household
Composition
Transit
Oriented
urban
dwellers.
Gen X and
Millennials
are the
largest
population.
Active
Lifestyle

19. Diverse and Active Civic Places
Montgomery County looks to get hip
Washington Post, 10/20/2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/district-dwellers-deliver-a-baby-boom/2013/10/20/
f4b41e54-31dc-11e3-9c68-1cf643210300_story.html

20. Urban Play Grounds
District dwellers deliver a baby boom
Washington Post, 10/20/2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/district-dwellers-deliver-a-baby-boom/2013/10/20/
f4b41e54-31dc-11e3-9c68-1cf643210300_story.html

21. Urban Dog Parks
Multifamily for Millennials: Housing the Next Generation
University of St. Thomas, 08/16/2011
http://blogs.stthomas.edu/realestate/2011/08/16/multifamily-for-millennials-housing-the-next-generation/

22. Bicycle Lanes, Cycle Tracks and more
With new apps, D.C. millennials help fuel an evolution away from sitting behind the
wheel
Washington Post, 10/01/2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/dc-transit-apps-growth-helps-fuel-an-evolution-away-from-sitting-behind-thewheel/2013/10/01/1fadc1da-2a0f-11e3-b139-029811dbb57f_story.html

23. What if…
Hollywood [,Fl.] seeks input on improving Hollywood Boulevard
Sun Sentinel, 11/03/2013
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/hollywood/fl-hollywood-streets-meeting-brf-20131103,0,3833130.story

24. Montgomery County
Ike Leggett, Executive
Executive Office Building
101 Monroe Street
2nd Floor
Rockville, MD 20850
240.777.2500
Silver Spring Regional Center
Reemberto Rodriguez, Director
One Veterans Place
Silver Spring, MD 20910
240.777.5301/5300
“A city is not an accident but the
result of coherent visions and aims.”
-Leon Krier, The Architecture Community
Questions?