What is going to be going on at our Town Center?

SILVER SPRING CIVIC BUILDING and VETERANS PLAZA: STRUCTURED ACTIVITIES, FUNCTIONS, AND EVENTS


On Thursday, March 23 2010 we held a very successful convening of people interested in the Silver Spring Civic Building and Veterans Plaza. Over 100 folks from all walks of life came by. We had old-timers, new comers, veterans, businesses, residents, and many others.

We presented the (evolving!) “categorization” of structured activities, functions, and events that will be going on in the facility. Here we present a newer, slightly revised version based on some of the input at the convening. We welcome your continued input!

NOTE 1: We focused on the “structured” stuff; i.e.: that which is pre-arranged and scheduled. We did not focus on all the UNstructured stuff that will be going on… THAT is the topic of the next blog posting!... (We also need to discuss “WHO” the users will be; lots to talk about!)

NOTE 2: If you want more info on the Silver Spring Civic Building and Veterans Plaza, check out the links in other postings on this blog.

After all is said and done, most uses that we will see in the Silver Spring Civic Building and Veterans Plaza can neatly fit in one of five (5) categories:
[1] STANDARD & ROUTINE TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SPACE USE
[2] OFFICIAL COUNTY USE (Other than the Silver Spring Regional Center)
[3] SILVER SPRING REGIONAL CENTER USE
[4] MARKET RATE RENTAL
[5] ORIGINAL COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING

Here's more detail on each:

[1] STANDARD & ROUTINE TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SPACE USE

Uses by customers that currently routinely access any other public facility in the County…

Think of the SSCB&VP as ‘just another item in the County’s portfolio of traditional space for public use'; for example:

- Many of the uses now scheduled in schools and other County facilities.


[2] OFFICIAL COUNTY USE (Other than the Silver Spring Regional Center)

Customary and regular use by County government (other than SSRC) for internal and external purposes…

Think of the CB&VP in ‘similar terms as the Executive Office Building or other County facilities'; for example:

- Public hearings; Town Hall meetings; Departmental staff meetings; Others?

- Inter-departmental and Multi-jurisdictional worksessions; Others?

[3] SILVER SPRING REGIONAL CENTER USE

Customary and regular use by SSRC for its routine operations…
Think ‘the usual suspects, plus new uses to advance the focused mission of the SSRC'; for example:

- Advisory group meetings (SSCAB, UDC, A&E, TMD), their committees and worksessions; Others?

- Information, Education, Training sessions; Others?

- Jazz Festival; Thanksgiving Parade; Concerts; Veterans Day; New Year’s Eve First Night; Others?

[4] MARKET RATE RENTAL

Rentals of the facility to private business and enterprises, large institutions (including non-county government), affinity groups, and individual ventures and celebrations…

Think ‘demand driven, market rate, positive cash flow income generating’ uses; for example:

- Major seminars, conferences, and training; Business meetings; Annual meetings; Rink rental for hockey practice; Others?

- Bar/Bat mitzvahs; Quinceañeras; Family reunions; Weddings; Others?

[5] ORIGINAL COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING

Original activities, functions, and events developed to serve, highlight, and/or celebrate Silver Spring…

Think ‘new, innovative, engaging, community-focused’ uses; for example:

- Community dialogues; Community celebrations; Community gatherings; Others?

- Participatory theater; Storytelling; Poetry; Spoken word; Others?

- Faith choirs; School bands; Local music showcase; Open mic; Table games competition; Others?

This list is certainly not comprehensive or conclusive... We need your idea... Please chime in!... (And, become a 'follower' of this blog so you can get notices of future postings.)