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A Tale of Two Downtowns: Silver Spring Then and Now

William Golding

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Downtown Silver Spring, Maryland, is a bustling urban hub today, but it wasn't always that way. Just a few decades ago, the downtown was a sleepy suburban town center, with a few small shops and restaurants. But in recent years, Silver Spring has undergone a remarkable transformation, thanks in part to a major investment by Montgomery County and the state of Maryland.

Downtown Silver Spring (Then and Now)

by Jerry A. McCoy

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Language	:	English
File size	:	38452 KB
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Print length	:	99 pages
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The Early Years

Silver Spring was founded in 1840 as a stop on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The town grew slowly at first, but it began to boom in the early 20th century, as Washington, D.C., expanded northward. Silver Spring became a popular suburb for middle-class families, and the downtown area grew accordingly.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Silver Spring continued to grow, and the downtown area became a major shopping destination. However, the downtown began to decline in the 1970s and 1980s, as shoppers moved to malls and other suburban shopping centers.

The Revitalization

In the early 2000s, Montgomery County and the state of Maryland began to invest heavily in the revitalization of Silver Spring. The county built a new transit center, and the state provided funding for new housing and retail development. These investments helped to attract new businesses to the downtown, and the area began to see a resurgence in popularity.

Today, downtown Silver Spring is a vibrant urban hub, with a mix of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The downtown is also home to the Silver Spring Civic Building, which houses the county government and other public services.

What's Next for Downtown Silver Spring?

The future of downtown Silver Spring is bright. The county and the state are continuing to invest in the area, and new development projects are underway. The downtown is also expected to benefit from the growth of the nearby White Oak Science Gateway, a major research and development hub.

In the years to come, downtown Silver Spring is likely to become even more vibrant and diverse. The downtown is already a great place to live, work, and play, and it's only going to get better.