Live Nation Controversy Continues

On a recent trip down Colesville Road, I saw the signage on the windows of the old J.C. Penney building:  LIVE NATION! FILLMORE! For all the talk of the ink not yet being dry on the deal, the building itself is screaming that the Live Nation deal is, indeed, done, even if the process isn't completely finished and the contracts yet unsigned.  Now a new wrinkle:  local business owner Seth Hurwitz (owner of the 9:30 club) would like to put in a bid, as well.  (For more details, see the Silver Spring Penguin article www.silverspringpenguin.com) His appeal seems to be resonating with some residents who, still sore that the Birchmere deal fell through, like the idea of the County subsidizing a local business better than a large corporate entity.  ISCA has taken a position that, whatever happens from this point onward, the County should handle this issue with maximum transparency - something that we feel did not occur during the Birchmere negotiations.  The citizens rightly feel removed from the decision-making process and would at least like clear and accurate information, and to know that the County is listening to their concerns.

Comments

[TJ]

Why didn't Seth & Company ask Silver Spring to dance when Birchmere negotiations were going down? Frankly, he still can do a venue in Silver Spring if he wishes... we've got room elsewhere. How about in South Silver Spring or get inserted in the development that will occur around the new transit center? Doesn't sound like he can do it on Colesville across from AFI, however. Live Nation and MoCo are on the dance floor already.

[Xila]

I really HATE the idea of a Filmore in Silver Spring. I recently sent e-mails to the Council and Leggett urging them to consider Seth Hurwitz, not only because I have fond, albeit WILD, memories of the club, but mostly because I believe the size is much more manageable. I don't want a big rock concert hall near our neighborhoods.

Also has anyone noticed that the traffic pattern is completely FUBAR downtown at rush hour and weekends? How do they plan to handle the influx of traffic the Filmore will bring? The same as now? By ignoring it?

[Xila]

I really HATE the idea of a Filmore in Silver Spring. I recently sent e-mails to the Council and Leggett urging them to consider Seth Hurwitz, not only because I have fond, albeit WILD, memories of the club, but mostly because I believe the size is much more manageable. I don't want a big rock concert hall near our neighborhoods.

Also has anyone noticed that the traffic pattern is completely FUBAR downtown at rush hour and weekends? How do they plan to handle the influx of traffic the Filmore will bring? The same as now? By ignoring it?

[David Auerbach]

I think anything that brings more people, entertainment, night time activities to downtown is good, on net, for Silver Spring. It will spawn further development, better jobs, more restaurants and shops, and continue to put our area on the map - and ultimately increase our home values. The traffic is a problem, yes - but it's the other side of the same coin. Would we rather have a dilapidated downtown that takes less time to drive through during rush hour? The only solution I see is to orient our lives so we can get where we need to go without relying on driving through downtown on Colesville from 5 to 8pm, etc. There are plenty of alternatives - Wayne ave, Georgia, buses, trains and taxis, etc...