County to Open Former Library as Cooling Center During Heat Alert

The county will open the former Silver Spring library location today (July 20) as a cooling center in response to a declared heat emergency alert. The building at 8901 Colesville Rd. will open at 11 a.m. Monday and close at 7 p.m. In addition, the Silver Spring Civic Building has been designated a cooling center today as well, also from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Snider’s Sold to Local Group of Food Market Operators

Snider’s Super Foods in Montgomery Hills has been sold to a locally based group of small food markets, according to Terry Sweet, one of Snider’s managers. The purchasers operate Streets Market & Café, based in Washington, D.C. The company opened its first store in 2014 and currently operates nine locations in the District, Baltimore, Arlington and Alexandria, Va.

Planning Board Declines to Reconsider DTSS Renovation Plans

Downtown Silver Spring to Get $10 Million Renovation, New Tenants

The Planning Board this morning declined to reconsider its July 2 resolution approving a site plan amendment that proposed a $10 million renovation of the Downtown Silver Spring development. Chairman Casey Anderson noted that the board had received “multiple requests” for reconsideration of the earlier action.

Two More Silver Spring Businesses Closed for Violating COVID-19 Restrictions

The county’s Department of Health and Human Services closed two more Georgia Avenue businesses in Silver Spring for failing to comply with COVID-19 restrictions. Society Lounge at 8229 Georgia Ave. and Republic Garden at 8402 Georgia were both shut down on Sunday July 12, both for not maintaining social distancing. In addition, both businesses had their licenses suspended.

Planning Board to Possibly Reconsider Downtown Silver Spring Plan Approval

Downtown Silver Spring to Get $10 Million Renovation, New Tenants

The Planning Board is scheduled to reconsider its earlier approval of a $10 million renovation plan for Downtown Silver Spring at its meeting Thursday, July 16. The plan includes a proposal to permanently close Ellsworth Drive to vehicular traffic from Fenton Street to just beyond Fountain Plaza, and lay down nontoxic artificial turf to create a “linear urban park.”

Council Votes to Add More Funding to Assist in COVID-19 Recovery

The County Council this week approved two special appropriations and introduced a third designed to help businesses and organizations recover from the COVID-19 emergency. The council unanimously okayed $14 million to create the Reopen Montgomery Business Assistance Program. The funds will reimburse county businesses and nonprofit organizations reopening expenses incurred to comply with new state and county health regulations due to the crisis.

Not Your Average Joe’s Has Permanently Closed in Ellsworth Place

Not Your Average Joe’s restaurant in Ellsworth Place has permanently closed, according to an email sent to customers today (July 9) and forwarded to the Source. The message, signed by Peter D’Amelio, the company’s chairman and CEO, reads, “We have truly enjoyed being part of the Silver Spring community.”

New Bill Would Provide Tax Incentive for Housing on WMATA Property

Councilmembers Hans Riemer and Andrew Friedson introduced legislation Tuesday that would extend Metro’s existing property tax abatement for 15 years for new high-rise development. Bill 29-20, the “More Housing at Metrorail Stations Act,” would require the Director of Finance to offer a payment in lieu of taxes for a high-rise building constructed by a private developer on property leased from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority at a Metro station.