10400 Detrick Avenue

Kensington, Maryland 20895
(240) 773-9344

www.hocmc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Susan Krimer Yancy

Monday, February 14, 2004 301-962-5505

REGIONAL HOUSING OFFICIALS HOSTED IN A TOUR OF

THE REVITALIZED SILVER SPRING

Silver Spring Now A Model for Other Locales

The Housing Opportunities Commission and the Department of Housing and Community Affairs are hosting a group of 40 housing and community development officials from around the region in a tour of the redeveloped areas of Silver Spring.

“The Art of Revitalization” tour will take place on Wednesday, February 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., beginning at Discovery Communications, One Discovery Place.

The group, interested in learning how Montgomery County was able to transform Silver Spring into the economically vital and dynamic community it is today, will be taken on a bus tour that includes stops at: Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, Gramax Towers Apartment Homes, Elizabeth House (elderly public housing) and the Holy Cross Senior Source Center, the Round House Theatre and the American Film Institute Silver Theatre. The tour emphasizes the role that art played in the economic revival of the community.

Other sites on the tour are included on the attached agenda.

“Everyone can be proud of this successful revitalization in a community that was, not so long ago, an aging, declining area, badly in need of a facelift. Partnerships between federal, state and local officials were key in bringing Silver Spring to life again,” said Richard Y. Nelson, Jr. , Chair of the Housing Opportunities Commission. “It’s only natural that other jurisdictions would like to borrow some of the same methods to revitalize areas in their own locales,” he added.

The tour is part of a “best practices” curriculum that the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council (MARC) of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) is holding for its members. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from some of the leaders of the revitalization of Silver Spring at a morning presentation to be held at the Discovery Communications headquarters.

INTERVIEW/PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES

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MARC/NAHRO “Best Practices” Tour:

“Silver Spring: The Art of Revitalization”

Wednesday, February 16, 2005

9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

AGENDA

9:30 a.m. 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. 11 a.m. – 1: 15 p.m. 1:15 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Meet in Lobby of Discovery Communications, One Discovery Place, Silver Spring, to register and receive badges An escort will take the group to the Colesville Conference Room on the first floor. Coffee and breakfast items will be available. Welcoming remarks and Silver Spring Revitalization Presentation Mary Paumen, President of MARC/NAHRO Raquel Huezo, Governor’s Policy Fellow, Department of Housing and Community Development Richard Y. Nelson, Jr., Chair, Housing Opportunities Commission Elizabeth Davison, Executive Director, Department of Housing and Community Affairs Gary Stith, Director of the Silver Spring Regional Services Center will present a slide show telling the story of the revitalization of Silver Spring. Guided Bus Tour of Silver Spring Your tour guides will be Gary Stith, unofficial “Mayor of Silver Spring,” and Mel Tull, Manager of the Green Tape Zone, Enterprise Zone and Arts and Entertainment District from the Silver Spring Regional Services Center. Highlights of the Tour: - Pyramid Atlantic Art Center (walk-through) - Montgomery College Expansion - Jesup Blair Park - Blair Park Apartments (Montgomery Housing Partnership) - Gramax Towers Apartment Homes (walk-through) - Eastern Village Co-Housing - Silverton Condominiums in Canada Dry - District Court Building - Alexander House - Elizabeth House, Seniors On-Line, Holy Cross Senior Source( walk- through) - Charter House - Round House Theatre (walk-through) - American Film Institute (AFI) Silver Theatre (walk-through) Lunch at the AFI Silver Theatre Join your colleagues for a “Chat and Chew” session! Special luncheon guests Rob Goldman, President, Montgomery Housing Partnership; Krista Middlebrooks, Mid-City Urban LLC; and LaKeyia Thompson, HOC Commissioner, will discuss issues facing community development and housing professionals.