Silver Spring Placemaking Presentation

SILVER SPRING CIVIC PLACES ASSESSMENT Silver Spring, MD

“When public spaces are successful […] they will increase opportunities to

participate in communal activity.” -Carr, Francis, Rivlin and Stone, 1993, p. 344

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/

“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

Historical, modern, eclectic, cultural, and dynamic.

¼ Mile

Veterans Plaza Silver Spring

Metro Station

Pedestrian Sheds

½ Mile

Stakeholders

Definitions

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

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.”


Pg. 21

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 private-anywhere people meet, cross paths, and gather. From sidewalks to plazas, Silver Spring should have a variety of civic spaces.”


Pg. 21

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.”


Pg. 21

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.”


Pg. 17

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

Unknown Civic park type: Urban Square Stake holder: Fairfield Silver Spring, LP

“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.”


Pg. 22

Sculpture: Sysyphus by Wendy M. Ross

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.”


Pg. 23

Sculpture: “Petalos Refrejantes” by Wilfredo

Valladere

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.


Pg. 22

“A park is a protected area set aside for human recreation and enjoyment.”

Thadani, Dhiru A. The Language of Town Cities, A Visual Dictionary

Opportunities for Placemaking

Civic Areas Name Dedication

Rachel Louise Carson (May 27, 1907 – April 14, 1964)

Dominique Dawes November 20, 1976

Demographic Trends Source: Nielsen, My Best Segments.

u  Small Household Composition

u  Transit Oriented urban dwellers.

u  Gen X and Millennials are the largest population.

u  Active Lifestyle

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

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

Urban Dog Parks

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

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-the-wheel/2013/10/01/1fadc1da-2a0f-11e3-b139-029811dbb57f_story.html

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

Questions?

“A city is not an accident but the result of coherent visions and aims.”

-Leon Krier, The Architecture Community

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

Design

Silver Spring Placemaking Presentation