Everything Must Go
No sooner did I notice the real estate signs on Easley that said “assemblage” than the listserv became abuzz. Is it me, or did Chicken Little accost the East Silver Spring email list? Here’s what’s at stake:
The owners of the nine houses in the highlighted area above all want to sell. For the bargain basement price of $13 million, you can have this prime parcel of land surrounded by Easley, Grove and Bonifant. I live just over a block away, andI walk down this stretch of Easley on an almost daily basis.
While all the owners have agreed to this assemblage, and three want out ASAP, the listserv now has emails with phrases like “destructive actions,” “earliest settlement,” and one of my favorites: “Historical Designation for ESS.” What do they want to do? Slap a big “NO CHANGE/PROGRESS WANTED” sign on every house in the neighborhood? Where’s Jerry McCoy when you need him?
The only rational explanation for caution I’ve seen specifically addresses the zoning of the properties in conjunction with the “Master Plan” for SS/MoCo. Not that people want to stop this fire sale – they just want regulations followed and things done properly. The areas appear to be zoned for single family residential (R-60) and multi-family medium-density (R-10) development.
Part of the reason for this is to “retain the single-family detached character” throughout most of East Silver Spring, and I like maintaining that. Now it seems whoever buys it will want to change the zoning to include retail/office space. If we can get a beer/wine store as good as Seminary Beer/Wine/Deli at Georgia & 495, then I’m all for it.
I will say, though, that a couple of these structures could use some bulldozing. Like the church with the mobile dentist labs in the back? Enough of that, already. But if the owners want to sell and the land of up for grabs, our job is to do our best to maintain the character – not run around yelling “the sky is falling.”
People have talked about getting the community interested in order to “prevent this kind of loss.” What loss? How about getting the community involved to help maintain the character of the neighborhood? How about excitement about what might come? My only regret right now comes from how this will affect the old man’s farm on the other side of Grove
For the time being, chill out. Break the pills in half – whatever you have to do.
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Do tell more about this Seminary Beer/Wine place, I’m unfamiliar. Big selection?
The only thing that kills me about this potential land deal is I had the chance 10 years ago to buy one of those houses, before I bought my current home. Story of my life.
I say leave the houses in place and turn the area into a big (sub)urban-warfare style paintball course. I’d buy that for a dollar!
As someone who lives on the block in question on the other side of Easley street, I can tell you I’m a little worried. Mostly I’m worried about irresponsible developers putting up something that makes me want to move while at the same time driving the value of my house down. Since I put developers at a level somewhere below used car salesmen, I don’t have much hope for something nice or sensible.
I spoke with the realtor on the deal, and he seems to think it would be very possible to do something that would be attractive to a developer but still leave zoning as-is. Since he also regaled me with tales of getting hosed by a developer in his own neighborhood, I don’t know how confident I can really be about that, but at least someone involved on the development side has an idea.
I think it’s important to remember that, in my case at least, one of the reasons I like living where I do is the proximity and easy walking distance to Metro, shops, supermarkets, entertainment, my office, etc. It would be unfair of me to ignore that appeal and suddenly insist that it’s the single family housing or the big trees across the street that I love best. Responsible, medium to low density housing would not have a negative impact on what I enjoy about where I live. If we can get that, then I think I could live with it pretty happily.
Seminary Beer/Wine is in the CVS shopping center on Georgia near the beltway. Good selection. Several Dogfish Heads, Harpoons, Flying Dogs, Anchor Steams, etc. Of all the small beer/wine places in the area, it’s my favorite.
Mark,
Excellent points. While it wouldn’t impact me as much as you, I worry about some sort of all-or-none principle weaseling its way in. I really like your way of looking at it, too. Since you’re right there in the thick of it, I’d appreciate any additional info or happenings you see/hear from that side of the street. Post here or email me at eric AT thayeravenue DOT com.
Many thanks.
Thanks Eric. I just think that it’s important that we ALL take stock of what’s really at risk for us individually–and be realistic about it rather than looking for justification for blanket opposition of this sale.
And on the Seminary Beer/Wine/Deli points, I have to weigh in and say that I like Beer/Wine/Deli (as we call it), but I’m also a big fan of the tiny beer and wine store in the little strip on Piney Branch at the end of Silver Spring Ave., down by the 6-12. It’s a little run-down looking, but they have an excellent selection of beers, and a decent selection of what I’d term “emergency” wines. Not too much I’d seek out if I had all the time in the world, but plenty that’s fine in a pinch. I only wish I knew the name of the place
As was alluded to in this post, the zoning for the 800 blocks of Bonifant Street, Easley Street, Thayer Avenue, and Silver Spring Avenue changes midway down the block. The western half of the block is zoned for commercial transition or for multifamily medium-density but the eastern half of the block is zoned R-60 for single family residential. This R-60 zoning designation continues down these streets towards Sligo Creek Park.
In order for a multifamily residential development or commercial development to be built on the entire parcel bordered by Easley to the South, Grove Street to the East, Bonifant Street to the North and Fenton Street to the west, the zoning would need to be changed to eliminate the R-60 designation for the properties on the eastern half of the parcel.
As an ESS resident who lives close to this area, I would be willing to support additional housing and stores on the land already zoned for such uses, provided the height and design and step-down were compatable with the surrounding neighborhood. I think the plan for the Moda Vista residences to be located on the southeast corner of Fenton Street and Silver Spring Avenue is a good example of a project that would be compatable with the neighborhood, and I would not shed a tear if the surface parking lot between Easley and Bonifant is developed.
However, I would oppose efforts to re-zone the R-60 land. Once this action occurs, what is stopping a similar decision in other parts of silver spring? Note also that the County Master Plan calls for preserving the residential character and existing zoning of this area.
One other wrinkle–the MTA is studying the option of constructing a deep tunnel along Grove Street for the Purple Line. Would this alignment, if it goes through, affect a developers ability to build underground parking?
Someone just told me last weekend about that place on Piney Branch. Thanks for the reminder!
EMSTB: Well-put, and I agree wholeheartedly. I think there’s a happy medium in there, but I do fear overzealous development could encroach unecessarily.
As for the parking lot, I use that as a cut-through all the time. And while I wouldn’t mind seeing it go, it’s already a nightmare getting through there on the weekends with church traffic. Assuming underground parking is a no-go (RE: Purple Line), that’ll be an interesting problem to solve…
I used to quite like the dental lab back in the early 1990s. I lived across the street and the fact that they were out there early in the morning picking up stuff meant that there were some eyes on the street. We were always amused by the fact that the upstairs “church” portion was actually an architect’s office. Not much of an advertisement for his skills.
If someone is actually interested in buying the property, unless they are a fool,they would probably have a contingent clause that the rezoning would have to be approved before they would buy.
Even if the residents support the area rezoned, which is highly unlikely, this would not imply or force Park and Planning to go along with rezoning.
Most of the buildings on the block are a blight on the neighborhood, and I’d be happy to see them go. I wouldn’t support buildings over three stories in this area, but it certainly would be an ideal place for something to transition from lovely Silver Towers to the residential neighborhood. How about a mix of townhomes and light retail? And a drug store? What’s a man got to do to get a real drugstore this side of Georgia?
With such a big retail hole, I’m surprised there’s not a guy going around the neighborhood with a shopping cart selling drugstore items like Bubbles on “The Wire”.
Thought I haven’t visited, I’m going to assume that the Upscale Rx Crescent Cafe isn’t going to pass muster for a neighborhood drug store.
Re: “Most of the buildings on the block are a blight on the neighborhood, and I’d be happy to see them go.”
OK, so two of the houses on Easley Street have front yards of gravel, which does make them blighty, but most of the other houses seem fine to me, if in need of some repair. Sure, they are old and small, but so are many of the other houses along the surrounding streets.
You see blight, I see quaint.
Re: “Most of the buildings on the block are a blight on the neighborhood, and I’d be happy to see them go.”
IMO, the only truly bad ones aren’t even part of what’s for sale. I’m not a huge fan of the run-down Sears house, but it’s not like any of them couldn’t be salvaged by a few visits from a decent landscaper. Except maybe the two that border the county parking lot. Those two are both weird.
I have to say that I LOVE that little brick house on Easley. The one with the perfectly-manicured lawn? Well, I could really care less about the house – but I get pretty anal retentive about my yard (when i can), and I feel like the yard tender there and I are kindred souls, cross-hatch patterns and all.
On the other hand, the drug house on the corner of Easley and Grove has got to go. If you don’t know what I mean, you’re either in denial or you haven’t been watching.
Eric-
At $1,440,000 per lot, perhaps we should create an assemblage of our own. I figure that would be at least $1M more than my house is worth as a single family home. Clearly, the real estate agent convinced these homeowners he could get them a deal too good to refuse. But I wonder how easy is it going to be to keep them all on board if the only interested developers think that the price tag is too much of a premium to pay.
Dubious Neighbor
Maybe you could make an offer of the lawn and transport it piece by piece to your house. It’s gonna get torn up anyway…
[quote]On the other hand, the drug house on the corner of Easley and Grove has got to go. If you don’t know what I mean, you’re either in denial or you haven’t been watching.[/quote]
That’s a kind of sad one, IMO. The woman who owned the house had lived in the neighborhood since Thayer was a dirt road, according to her. She lived in that very house for a really long time too. She passed away earlier this year, and since then her son who lived with her has really let things get out of hand.
I have my suspicions that something is being dealt out of there, or was this summer, anyway, but nothing concrete. It’s sad to think of the house and neighborhood that Bertie loved may be suffering degradation at her own son’s hands.
Yes Mark. So true. And may that lovely woman rest in peace. I tried to visit her when I was in town last May but her son wouldn’t answer the door. Her father built that house from a Montgomery Ward’s kit and also built several of the other houses in the neighborhood. She was in the first graduating class of the “new” Blair high school on Wayne Ave.
Oh, and if you see the guy that now owns my house, could you tell him I said he needs to learn how to use a fucking paint brush and that I regret selling to him.
Sounds like someone I would have liked to meet. What a shame. Anyone know which houses her husband built? That’s one of those tidbits of information I like to gather. Especially if any of them are on Thayer.
I know the houses her dad built by site, but not address. She was born in a house on Thayer south of Grove, but again I have to be there to get my bearings. She and I walked around, back when she was still mobile, and she pointed them out to me. If I’m ever going to be down there again, I’ll take you on a tour. But I live well north of Silver Spring now.
I know from the name Upscale Rx one may assume the new pharmacy on crescent condo may seem expensive but this is realy a real neighborhood pharmacy with delivery service. The actual name on the prscription bag is “Upscale Care Pharmacy”. I am sure it is the “care” that is upscale. Any way it is like the old drug stores with the fountain soda,only modern. It is owned by two pharmacists.
Hello Neighbors,
I had to respond to; “Everything Must Go”, because fear of change dominates the conversation. My parents, Manuel and Ana at 820 Bonifant have lived there since 1974.
Unfortunately, my mother suffers from serious dementia. My father had to mortgaged the house to pay for my mother’s nursing home which costs $5,000 a month.
My neighbor, Anne White whose mother, Bertie died last year asked my father to join her in selling together the house. He agreed. Mrs. White knew a childhood friend Mr. Rosenbloom, our realtor and her trusted friend to sell our properties.
Fortunately, all the neighbors has given him the opportunity to sell all of our properties together. The economy is bad but together we can weather.
Chicken Little never accosted us. We are not selling for the bargain price of $13 million. Are you kidding!?! We are selling for the asking price of $1.5 million to $13 million each.(Gosh.) We are an assemblage.
We love East Silver Spring and Bonifant Street. I remember Gifford’s Ice Cream Parlor. I remember Peoples Drug Store (Chevy Chase Bank). I remember Roth Theaters next to Quimby’s. I grew up at 820 for the first 18 years of my life.
So, I want the best for our neighborhood. We are striving to lure a real estate developer to bring upscale homes. Made of full brick, no vaneers. Maybe, adding 12 to 15 houses. It will be a beautiful buffer to our downtown. Blocking the view of the monster mistake design of the Silver Spring Towers.
It will not be rezoned retail/office! Also, no Beer of Wine store is coming! Hell, ESSCA helped us fight the soup kitchen on Bonifant to relocate for many years, finally we won.
We are striving for the best! No, irresponsible developers will be buying our homes.
Support my parents and your neighbors, don’t condemn them for having a great idea of selling together.
“Bertie” was my grandmother. She was indeed a member of the first graduating class of Montgomery Blair and never left the zip code. I ask with all due respect that any further inappropriate speculation by people who did not know her or her situation stop with the post prior to Anthony’s. (Who I thank for sharing his story.)
These comments about my grandmother’s home and her history in the neighborhood are at best uninformed and at worst slander. Please do not confuse wishing that she “rest in peace” (particularly in a comment that includes profanity) with pondering the condition of her home and any attendant activities on a very public blog. She didn’t even know what the Internet was, and it is painful to see people who know nothing about her thinking out loud.
My great-grandparents, her parents, were early residents of this neighborhood and founding members of the Ascension Episcopal Church. You may rest assured that my family could write a history of Takoma Park/Silver Spring before it was a “new urban” or retail center. We were and are not perfect by any stretch, but you have much worse things to contend with in this area.
Most importantly, please consider whether you would like your recently deceased parent or grandparent (who never harmed anyone and was a lifelong, vocal advocate for the very neighborhood you claim to support) discussed in such a manner before you shoot your fingers off in a very public blog post.
Eric – Her husband, my grandfather, built none of the houses. It is not a “drug house”. It is an old family homestead – that’s that. My great-grandfather was a contractor. Let’s just say he built a lot of the houses in the neighborhood. It doesn’t really matter which ones.
Mark – If you have “suspicions but nothing concrete”, they are best not broadcast in a public forum. I could walk by any house in the world and draw erroneous conclusions. If you have concerns about your neighborhood, legitimate concerns, call the police. Please do not mention them in concert with speculations about a woman who lived in the neighborhood, in good faith and with a following that bordered on a fan club, for nearly 90 years.
Flip – You were lucky to get a tour from someone who knew the drill. If you truly did know her when you lived there, then you would know that she sat on her porch for most of her life, entertaining questions and conversations from anyone who passed by, and you would likely be encouraging folks not to discuss her in such a manner.
You might have had this experience in your life, that houses are not just physical structures. They are reflections of family situations, good and bad, and families must make choices as life goes on. Responsible people are stewards of her memory and her home today and will be tomorrow, and any suggestion that there is not concern for the neighborhood in whatever occurs with the property is, as Anthony said, quite untrue. The roots are so deep, you have no idea.
Please consider the history of a place – truly, not just to satisfy your knowledge of who built what, when – especially a place like Silver Spring. This was a very important place to me in my childhood. I was born in Silver Spring. I could go down there right this second and fill a vase with violets. That’s what matters. People have been hurt by the words written here. As much as I enjoy the Internet, I am ever mindful that what I say can reach people for good or for ill. Please consider working for good.
Hello to all of the ThayerAvenue.com bloghers out there. My name is Anne White. I happen to be the owner of 801 Easley Street and I grew up at the same address. The Thayer Avenue web site was brought to my attention recently. Little did I know that my daughter, Laurie, had already discovered it and responded with a comment to the assemblage piece. I applaude the original idea of putting Thayer Avenue and vicinity on the web, but Laurie seemed to respond appropriately and put things into perspective regarding the content. Especially to Flip, Eric, and Mark – the information you have is mostly inaccurate. If you ever see me at the house – I spend full days there periodically cleaning things out – stop by and introduce yourselves. A face to face account of your thoughts about the property and my Mom will be appreciated. I would also love to know the addresses of your immaculate homes. I am sure that I know a lot of the history behind them. Although, the history of Silver Spring has been a major part of my life, I am now looking forward to the future of Silver Spring. Why don’t you join me in a pro-active way…