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The greater Silver Spring area includes much of southern and eastern Montgomery County, and is one of the fastest growing commercial centers in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. Bordered by Washington, D.C. to the south, Prince George's County to the east, and Howard County to the north, Silver Spring's location and amenities make it a sought-after location in which to live and work. Downtown Silver Spring: The Area's Fastest Growing Commercial Center While not an incorporated city, Silver Spring is one of the most important business and residential centers in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. Downtown Silver Spring, a major shopping center in the 1950's and 60's, is experiencing a renaissance. Major projects currently open and under construction offer new retailers, restaurants, entertainment options, office space, lodging, and residential development. American Film Institute Brings Classic Films American Film Institute (AFI), the preeminent presenter of classic, foreign and art films, is now housed in the historic Silver Theater in downtown Silver Spring. The facility includes the historic theater with 450 seats, and two new theaters, with 200 and 75 seats, in which it presents a broad variety of classic, art, foreign and independent films. Visit AFI.com for schedules and more information. Restaurants, Retail and Entertainment Silver Spring currently has over 150 restaurants in the Central Business District, and more are being added every month. A 22-acre project in the heart of downtown Silver Spring has opened its second section, and more shops and restaurants will open in 2005. The project includes community- and regionally-oriented shopping, the AFI Silver Theatre and a 5,000 seat, first-run movie complex, restaurants, office, hotel and parking facilities. The project will also include a new downtown civic building and Veteran's Plaza park for outdoor activities and events as Phase III. Silver Spring Metro Will Become Regional Transit Center Silver Spring's Metrorail station, one of the busiest in Washington's Metro system, will be expanded to include MARC commuter rail, bus stations, and bicycle trails in a multi-modal transit center. In addition, a commercial mixed-use development project will be constructed above the transit center, which will include residential units, office space, and retail shops. Montgomery College Expands in South Silver Spring Montgomery College's campus in adjacent Takoma Park, Maryland is currently being dramatically expanded into South Silver Spring. A new Health Sciences building opened in January 2004, and a new student center and Cultural Arts Center are under construction. The Arts Meet Technology Silver Spring is fast becoming the area of choice for artists, arts organizations and technology companies looking for a dynamic, urban center. Dozens of media companies call Silver Spring home, and along with Discovery Communications and AFI Silver, the area is fast becoming the Metropolitan area's new hub for the media industry. Eastern Montgomery County Attracting Technology, Large Employers The eastern portion of Montgomery County, primarily the area located northeast of downtown Silver Spring, is attracting large, technology-oriented companies. Proximity to the rejuvenated downtown Silver Spring, and easy access to Baltimore, Annapolis and other points in the Mid-Atlantic, has made the area more attractive to larger companies. A new East County Science and Technology Center is being planned for the Route 29 corridor in Eastern Montgomery County. The phased, 800,000 square foot complex will house space for start-up businesses, space for "incubator" graduate companies, market rate office space, higher education and telework centers, a day care facility and more. Construction is expected to begin in 2005. |
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