This petition supports the re-use of the existing police station on Sligo Avenue in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland, as an arts center with affordable studio space for local artists and an outdoor community garden area.

Current proposals want to use the site to be redeveloped as townhouses. -There are more than 1,000 housing units planned for Fenton St between Wayne and Silver Spring Ave. We don’t need more housing, we need green space and work space for artists. -The property will make an excellent transition from the CBD to the residential neighborhood by uniting amenities for the public, artists and local residents. The property is located at the intersection of the CBD and the residential zones with most of the building and grounds in the R-60 zone (single family houses).

-The artists who made Fenton Village and East Silver Spring desirable as an Arts District designation are being priced out of the area. Studio space is virtually non-existent. -

The Parks Dept has expressed interest in using the fenced-in back portion of the property for community gardens. It already has a water source and the existing fencing will save the Parks Dept $10,000. Approximately 144 container gardens could be created there with plenty of parking and this could be the only handicapped accessible gardens in the County.

Links