Northwood News ♦ February 2021

Revitalizing Downtown Silver Spring ... Again

By Ed Levy

For many of us who live and work in Silver Spring, it’s hard to believe that the current Downtown configuration has been in place for twenty years.  The weekly farmers market, the annual festivals, and the splash fountain continue to draw us to Silver Spring’s Downtown.

To ensure the area has a bright future, Peterson Companies, owner and manager of Downtown Silver Spring, has begun a $10 million renovation of its 444,000 square foot development between Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street.

The ‘Silver Spring Walls’ public art project, consisting of three untitled murals, has already been completed, along with brightly colored repainting of some of the building facades.  Other recent additions to the area include:  the Loyalty Book Store, the Locavino wine café, and the Eleanor bowling themed café.

Peterson will replace the asphalt surface of much of Ellsworth Drive with eco-friendly turf and permanently close off vehicle access.  Ellsworth will include outdoor ping pong and cornhole games with new outdoor seating, and serve as focal point for pop-up booths and festivals.

[This article was truncated in the printed newsletter.]   ■