“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

Placemaking IS:� Community-driven

� Visionary

� Function before form

� Adaptable

� Inclusive

� Focused on creating

destinations

� Flexible

� Culturally aware

� Ever changing

� Multi-disciplinary

� Transformative

� Context-sensitive

� Inspiring� Inspiring

� Collaborative

� Sociable

Source: PPS.ORG

http://www.pps.org/reference/what_i

s_placemaking/

Project for Public Spaces

Veterans

PlazaSilver Spring

Metro Station

¼ Mile

Pedestrian

Sheds

½ Mile

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“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

Historical, modern, eclectic, cultural, and

dynamic.

spaces that provide economic, environmental, and aesthetic benefits thought downtown.”

Montgomery County’s Silver Spring Central Business District Sector Plan. Pg. 22

Stakeholders

Definitions

Veterans PlazaCivic 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

jobjob

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 GardenCivic 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 creating opportunities

for economic and

social connections.”Source: Silver Spring Central

Business District Sector Plan,

Pg. 21

Discovery CourtCivic 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 should have a variety

of civic spaces.”Source: Silver Spring Central

Business District Sector Plan,

Pg. 21

Ellsworth (Silver Plaza)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 whereenvironments where

people can shop,

commute, recreate,

and socialize.”Source: Silver Spring Central

Business District Sector Plan,

Pg. 21

Transit Station GreenCivic 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 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

BioWall PlazaCivic 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 more competitive in

the metropolitan-area

commercial and

residential markets.”Source: Silver Spring Cen

tral Business District Sector

Plan, Pg. 22

Cameron PlazaCivic 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 more competitive in

the metropolitan-area

commercial and

residential markets.”Source: Silver Spring Central

Business District Sector Plan,

Pg. 22

Sculpture: Sysyphus by Wendy M. Ross

Silver Petals PlazaCivic 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

recreationrecreation

opportunities.”Source: Silver Spring Central

Business District Sector Plan,

Pg. 23

Sculpture: “Petalos Refrejantes” by Wilfredo

Valladere

Jessup Blair ParkCivic 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 park-creates value for

property owners and

users, employees and

residents.Source: Silver Spring Central

Business District Sector Plan,

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 DawesNovember 20, 1976

Demographic TrendsSource: Nielsen, My Best Segments.

� Small

Household

Composition

� Transit

Oriented

urban

dwellers.dwellers.

� Gen X and

Millennials

are the

largest

population.

� Active

Lifestyle

Diverse and Active Civic Places

Montgomery County looks to get hipWashington 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

Director Square, Portland Oregon

Urban Play Grounds

District dwellers deliver a baby boomWashington 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 GenerationUniversity 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 wheelWashington Post, 10/01/2013http://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 ifG

Hollywood [,Fl.] seeks input on improving Hollywood BoulevardSun Sentinel, 11/03/2013

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/hollywood/fl-hollywood-streets-meeting-brf-20131103,0,3833130.story

Montgomery CountyIke Leggett, Executive

Executive Office Building101

Monroe Street

2nd FloorRockville, MD

20850

240.777.2500

Silver Spring Regional

CenterReemberto Rodriguez, Director

One Veterans Place

Silver Spring, MD 20910

240.777.5301/5300

Questions?

“A city is not an accident but the

result of coherent visions and

aims.”-Leon Krier, The Architecture Community