Downtown Silver Spring to Convert Ellsworth Dr. Back to a Pedestrian-Friendly Experience on May 10
WALKABILITY WINS!
I'm pleased to share that Downtown Silver Spring will convert Ellsworth Drive back into a pedestrian-friendly plaza on May 10.
Thank you to all the residents and advocates who I’d been working with to achieve this return to normal.
— Evan Glass (@EvanMGlass) April 27, 2021
SILVER SPRING, Md., April 27, 2021—Downtown Silver Spring announced plans to restrict vehicular access to Ellsworth Dr. and create an enhanced pedestrian-oriented experience beginning May 10. During the pandemic, this popular street was opened to vehicles to accommodate convenient curbside pickup for restaurants and retailers and to offer customers added convenience during the winter months. This temporary initiative played a vital role in the survival of restaurants and retailers coping with capacity restrictions and limits on indoor dining. Now that the weather has improved and restrictions are easing, the timing is right to return Ellsworth Dr. to the pedestrian friendly space it was prior to the pandemic.
Plans for Ellsworth Dr. include an exciting 300-foot-long large-scale street mural that is being created by Chalk Riot, a D.C.-based public arts production company that specializes in pavement art and interactive murals. The woman-owned and operated business is led by principals Chelsea Ritter-Soronen and Liza Fishbone. Additional bistro tables and chairs, shade umbrellas and colorful planters will further complement the area and provide visitors with a vibrant outdoor space for dining and socializing. The street mural is scheduled to be installed in late May.
Last week Downtown Silver Spring introduced Blumen Lumen, a 25-foot-tall interactive, commissioned art installation at the corner of Georgia Ave. and Colesville Rd. The illuminated, kinetic cluster of flowers changes color, opens and closes based on information it receives from the National Weather Service and voice activation. Throughout the month of May, several new art installations will embrace the Blumen Lumen theme and include overhead origami and floral art installations in both breezeways by Design Foundry; and Flower Tower, a transformation of the elevator tower with a multistory floral art display by Brightly Ever After.
“We wanted to make the entire property an uplifting and welcoming experience,” explained Laurie Yankowski, regional marketing director for Peterson Companies, co-owners and managers of Downtown Silver Spring. “It’s not only a great place for shopping, dining and entertainment; it’s truly the heart of the community,” she added.
Short-term, curbside parking will be relocated to designated parking spaces in Gateway Plaza and the County-owned parking spaces located at each end of Ellsworth Dr.
In addition to the reopening of Regal Cinemas on May 21, new tenants opening in 2021 include Ultra Nail Bar (1,541 sq. ft.); DogHaus (2,508 sq. ft.); Flip’d by IHOP (2,435 sq. ft.); Sleep Number (3,055 sq. ft.) and XOA Lifestyle (10,058 sq. ft.) a specialty retail tenant that is relocating from the NY & Co space to the former Ulta space.
Downtown Silver Spring will also resume events and activations beginning on May 10 with a Zumba series presented by Adventist HealthCare on Monday evenings by reservation.
Downtown Silver Spring acknowledges the efforts of Montgomery County Council President Tom Hucker along with Councilmembers Hans Reimer and Evan Glass for their efforts throughout COVID to support local businesses and appreciates the community for their patience as it worked to balance the needs of the merchants and the residents during a very challenging period.
For more information, visit www.DowntownSilverSpring.com.
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About Downtown Silver Spring:
Downtown Silver Spring is a 440,000 square foot shopping, dining, and entertainment destination located in the heart of downtown Silver Spring spanning from Ellsworth Drive to Fenton Street in Silver Spring, Md. Downtown Silver Spring has an eclectic mix of specialty retailers, exciting restaurants and amenities that include Whole Foods Market, Regal Majestic Theaters and H&M. Downtown Silver Spring is owned by Peterson Companies, Foulger-Pratt and ARGO Investment Company; it is managed and leased by Peterson Companies. For more information, visit www.downtownsilverspring.com or follow Downtown Silver Spring on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for real-time updates.
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