County Police Seek Help to Identify Armed Robbery Suspect

The Montgomery County police are asking for the public’s help to identify a suspect in a July 20 armed robbery in Silver Spring. Detectives from the 3rd District Investigative Section have released a cell phone video of one of two suspects in the robbery that occurred in the 1200 block of East-West Highway.

Republic Garden Temporarily Shut Down by DHHS

The Republic Garden in downtown Silver Spring has been temporarily shut down by order of the Department of Health and Human Services, officials announced. The restaurant/lounge at 8402 Georgia Ave. was given a 30-day closure notice on Sunday, July 26 for not maintaining the minimum of six feet for social distancing.

Planners to Hold Virtual Listening Sessions on Downtown, Adjacent Communities Plan

The county’s Planning Department will hold the first of three virtual “listening sessions” on what’s been rechristened the Silver Spring Downtown and Adjacent Communities Plan on Tuesday, July 21 from noon to 1:15 p.m. The discussion is part of the launch of the sector plan process for the Central Business District and surrounding area.

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.

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.

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.”

Kefa to Leave Library Location, Bump ’n Grind to Take Over

Kefa Café will leave its location in the Silver Spring Library and open a café in the new Wheaton Library, while Bump ’n Grind will take over the Silver Spring spot. “We have been honored for the past five years to operate the coffee shop located on the grounds of the Silver Spring Library,” said Kefa’s co-owner Lene Tsegay in a statement, “and we are proud to have established a precedent for creating a welcoming and supportive community space for library customers.”