Description: The Montgomery County Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T), Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and the Maryland Mass Transit Administration (MTA) are planning to reconfigure the Silver Spring Metro Station area as a multi-modal transit center. This facility will be a major transit hub serving the Silver Spring Central Business District and the region. Transportation facilities to be accomodated in multiple tiers include: Metrorail, Metrobus, MARC Rail, Ride On Bus, Intercity buses (e.g. Greyhound), the Capital Crescent/Metropolitan Branch (CC/MB) hiker/biker trail, taxis, a Kiss and Ride and space for a possible Purple Line (Bi-County Transitway). The relocation of the MARC station has been completed as Phase 1 of this project. The existing Metro Urban Park will be relocated on site, providing open space for workers, residents and visitors. Foulger Pratt, WMATA and the County are also proposing an air rights development over the Transit Center that would include a 160,000 sf 200-room hotel, with ground floor retail, and 2 residential buildings including up to 453 dwelling units. Select frontages along Wayne Avenue, Colesville Road and publicly-accessible areas within the development will also include transit and community oriented retail.

M-NCPPC Staff Contact:
Regarding the proposed private development:
Linda Komes
(301) 650-2860
Linda.Komes@mncppc-mc.org

Thomas Autrey
(301) 495-4533
Thomas.Autrey@mncppc-mc.org

Glenn Kreger
(301) 495-4653
Glenn.Kreger@mncppc-mc.org

Applicant:
Public facility: Montgomery County Department of Public Works and Transportation.
Mr. Shri Gondhalekar (240) 777- 6071
Private development: Silver Spring Metro LLC.
Bryant Foulgar (240) 499-9600

Opportunities for Public Participation:
The Planning Board conducted a public hearing on the Mandatory Referral for the public component of the project (i.e., the transit facility and the park). On April 24, 2006 WMATA held a public hearing on the project. Concerns expressed by speakers included hiker/biker connectivity, the relocation of bus stops during construction of the permanent transit station. Additional information can be found at http://www.wmata.com/about/community/sstc_docket.pdf

In early 2007 the Planning Board will hold a public hearing regarding the new plans for the Transit Center, including the Project Plan for the private development.

Planning Board Review Process & Case Number:
On March 10, 2005 the Planning Board conducted a public hearing on Mandatory Referral # 04106-MC-1, the transit center public facility. Comments were subsequently transmitted to Montgomery County and WMATA.

In October 2006, revised plans for the public facility were submitted for Planning Board review. Project Plan #920050010 was also filed for the proposed private development over and around the Silver Spring Transit Center.

Planning Board Action:
None

Notes from M-NCPPC Staff:
Issues include appropriate replacement of Metro Urban Park; provision for elevated CC/MB trail through the Center; and coordination with the proposed Bi-County Transitway (Purple Line). MTA staff is evaluating the possibility of an alternative Purple Line alignment along Wayne Avenue.

Date of last page update: November 20, 2006

Contact the Silver Spring/Takoma Park Team

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