Ellsworth Drive will be reopened as a pedestrian-friendly area with restricted traffic on May 10, officials with Downtown Silver Spring announced today (April 27).
The street was opened to vehicles early in the pandemic to accommodate curbside pickup for restaurants and retailers faced with capacity restrictions and regulations limiting indoor dining.
In addition, Chalk Riot, a D.C.-based public arts production company that specializes in pavement art and interactive murals, will install a 300-foot-long street mural, scheduled in late May.
DTSS also plans to add more bistro tables and chairs, shade umbrellas and planters to the area, according to a press release, as well as artwork designed to complement the theme of Blumen Lumen, an art installation that opened last week.
The new art will 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,” Laurie Yankowski, regional marketing director for Peterson Companies, co-owners and managers of Downtown Silver Spring, in the release. “It’s not only a great place for shopping, dining and entertainment; it’s truly the heart of the community.”
DTSS will also resume events and activations beginning on May 10 with a Zumba series presented by Adventist HealthCare on Monday evenings by reservation, officials said.
Short-term, curbside parking will be relocated to designated parking spaces in Gateway Plaza and the county’s metered parking spaces located at each end of Ellsworth Drive.
Photos by David Lay