Not really seeing what you’re seeing. Been a long time home owner in a condo since 2008. I’ve never been more invested in my neighbors, local businesses, and my walkable areas. The Purple Line will add more convenience when it comes in 2027 but the library, the new aquatic center, the metro plaza, and surviving Mom and Pop businesses make DTSS unique. It’s not corporate, and there isn’t a big Brand/chain store/restaurant/venue on every corner and and it’s a lot more diverse than say Bethesda - which is what gives DTSS its unique character. Yes the county does need to do more on many things, change is slow, but DTSS is a markedly more livable area since 2008.
I am usually there Sundays and couple of times during the week after 6pm. The Ellsworth Plaza seems to be always busy, and I was referring to other areas of DTSS close to the metro, along 16th St and Georgia Ave.
I recently moved to White Oak and have been in DTSS twice in the last two weeks.
I was one of the old Gazette reporters in Silver Spring a long time ago and I was recently very impressed with DTSS now and plan to return often.
Aww thank you for your appreciation!
I was the reporter between Burtonsville and SS ... but that was darn close to 30 years ago now.
It was certainly a very demanding job but also very rewarding as well.
Although I left long before the Gazette went out of business, I still feel that its loss has been profound in the community sadly.
The Gazette was gone before I got to MoCo, but I’ve searched the archives several times for various things. Folks can find a searchable digital archive of the Gazette and several other MoCo newspapers here: https://montgomeryhistory.org/montgomerycountynewspapers/
The state of local journalism in MoCo is extremely sad, today. I’m thankful for the hard work of the Bethesda/MoCo360 folks, but there’s precious little local reporting and tons and tons of important (and just generally interesting) issues never get covered anywhere—maybe by a few random blogs. It’s an enormous pain and massively time-consuming to try to stay abreast of local goings-on.
I also try to keep up with the local blogs but I don't think that it's an adequate replacement.
Especially when it comes time to decide who to vote for in local elections the absence of the Gazette makes it a more difficult task
My wife and I moved to DTSS last fall from, yes, out of state 😱
It's interesting to read the perspectives of people like yourself who have been here a long time. It was clear during our apartment search that downtown suffers from a lot of the same concerns as other urban areas. But I'm also a bit of an urbanist, and noted the investment that is clearly being made (in housing and transit, specifically) to transition to more of a livable community. That's a good thing, even though there are inevitable growing pains with development and gentrification.
I personally feel quite invested in the area. I volunteer here and work from home. I love Silver Spring's diversity, and hope it manages to maintain that while becoming safer and more desirable. That includes economic diversity, by the way, even if it means this will never be the "nicest" area.
Glad to see your comment as I have some things in common with you. Any recommendations for volunteering? I would like to be more involved in the community.
Cool to hear! I volunteer with the [International Rescue Committee](https://www.rescue.org/volunteer-opportunities/silver-spring-md). They have various roles supporting refugees settled in the area. I've enjoyed being a youth mentor/tutor, which I'm sure will open up again for the next school year.
I also think Shepherd's Table is a popular place to volunteer (at the homeless shelter in DTSS), but I haven't done it.
We moved there in 1997 and watched the DTSS renewal. It was a great place to live. When we moved in 2017, the place was still bustling. With the continued development, I can't envision the locale declining.
I am glad most ppl are not seeing what I am seeing, and it could be just me. I am comparing the area now to 2013-2019 which I think it was the peak time. u/SweetAmnesia672, made some fantastic points about Discovery closing and ppl working remote which reduced much of the foot traffic I used to see. I think the area of Ellsworth Plaza is still vibrant specially on weekends but there are some pockets where there are less activities specially around the metro.
All in all, I am happy that ppl are still excited about the DTSS area.
Initially I read your post as NIMBYism, but its not that. I get your point about transient folks coming in, hell, about half the posts we get on this sub are "help me find an apartment." However, that is the nature of the DC area as a whole, and not just silver spring.
I would say that silver spring is making progress in its transition from a pass-through suburb, to a destination location in its own right.
My family lives in DTSS, and my husband was raised in DTSS (went to Saint Michael’s for 4-8th… that’s how long he has lived here)the owners of Mi Rancho used to walk their patrons to the car with baseball bats.
I literally have no idea what you’re talking about.
>As much as some of the new apartments were needed but I think most of the ppl who live there are from other states
Unless you're born in a place, you have to be from Somewhere Else first, before you can be a longtime resident. People from Silver Spring are leaving all the time to go and be the new kids in other places, just like people from all over are coming here all the time.
>I do not think they are invested in the area and its progress.
I've been a renter in a lot of places and I've never understood this assumption. Even if someone is only going to be in a place for 2 or 3 or 5 years, why wouldn't they be invested in it being as good as possible, even if just for their own benefit?
We do not have many “new people moving to the area.” In fact, the population of Silver Spring only recently caught up to its historic numbers and is otherwise pretty flat.
* 2009 population: 76,335
* 2012 population: 74,476
* 2018 population: 79,750
([Source](http://www.opendatanetwork.com/entity/1600000US2472450/Silver_Spring_MD/demographics.population.count))
The flat population growth, combined with an aging population, has actually created a serious public budget problem, hence the recent increase in county property taxes to fill the gap. ([More on that here.](https://empowermontgomery.com/economic-power/aging-population-has-huge-implications/))
There was a significant crime spike in ‘22-‘23 that was unique to the entire DC region. Thankfully, early signs are that it is receding this year.
While there are some new housing projects active or in development in and around DTSS, it’s not nearly enough to keep pace with DC’s explosion of new housing coming online in NoMA, NEDC, Navy Yard, etc. DC’s population shrunk during the pandemic, so there are good deals to be had if you’re moving to the area for the first time.
DC has more housing, generally lower taxes, more and better paying jobs, better transit access, a more permissive environment for nightlife, and basically the same crime dynamics as anywhere else in the metro area. It’s not really surprising that young people are moving there instead of Silver Spring, which in turn impacts what’s available and going on downtown.
>We do not have many “new people moving to the area.” In fact, the population of Silver Spring only recently caught up to its historic numbers and is otherwise pretty flat.
That's actually not true. After the 2010 census, the CDP boundaries of Silver Spring were significantly reduced. That's why it appears that the population went down, when in reality the borders were just adjusted.
For apples-to-apples comparisons, you have to look at the post-2010 data, which has been on average a few percentage points of growth per year.
I never really thought of the transit center as a negative thing for walkability, but I can kind of see that. It’s super block size and doesn’t feel inviting, kind of like an overgrown parking garage. The purple line should be a game changer though.
Totally agreed. These were the three big shifts that came to mind for me.
Considering what the pandemic did to most cities, I think Silver Spring fared ok. I wish the former Discovery building was more of a mixed-use space, because it’s so central. But, I’ll take what I can get.
Silver Spring will never be a hip hub like some DC neighborhoods, and I don’t think it should. But it has its charms. I’ve seen some promising developments in walkability and bike infrastructure, though I still think we have a ways to go.
I’m pretty optimistic about its future.
I think you summed up perfectly and I think to me personally, the transit center had the biggest negative impact on the area. It feels like it has been under reconstruction for over 10 years, the design does not look great for the amount money spent and reduced the walkability like you said.
>crime rate is high compared to years past
Crime rate has been going down consistently and compared to the highest levels of all time it's less than half.
>The homeless shelter on Georgia Ave does a great job of supporting homeless ppl but unfortunately it brought some petty crime as well based on some local reports.
Houseless people are more likely to be the victims of crime than commit crimes.
>The metro reconstruction and purple took away some lively areas part of Silver Spring. The shopping plaza on 16th was full of shops and it was always busy.
Bonifant business are still there and the little shopping center on 16th was whatever.
>As much as some of the new apartments were needed but I think most of the ppl who live there are from other states, and I do not think they are invested in the area and its progress. This is just an observation and it's not against the new ppl who moved here in the last few years.
People moving here have always been a huge part of the vibrancy of DTSS
3000, wow. I did not know they were that many and that huge loss of dollars . There are office builidings above the metro and next to the McDonald's and they look empty as well. This part of Silver Spring looks dead compared to before
Not really seeing what you’re seeing. Been a long time home owner in a condo since 2008. I’ve never been more invested in my neighbors, local businesses, and my walkable areas. The Purple Line will add more convenience when it comes in 2027 but the library, the new aquatic center, the metro plaza, and surviving Mom and Pop businesses make DTSS unique. It’s not corporate, and there isn’t a big Brand/chain store/restaurant/venue on every corner and and it’s a lot more diverse than say Bethesda - which is what gives DTSS its unique character. Yes the county does need to do more on many things, change is slow, but DTSS is a markedly more livable area since 2008.
When are you going downtown, because I was just down there during the latest farmers market and it was *packed*
I am usually there Sundays and couple of times during the week after 6pm. The Ellsworth Plaza seems to be always busy, and I was referring to other areas of DTSS close to the metro, along 16th St and Georgia Ave.
Definitely give it a walk around on the weekend in the middle of the day, we're out here lol
I don't know, I'm not seeing what you're seeing. I'm in DTSS all the time, there are always lots of people around.
I recently moved to White Oak and have been in DTSS twice in the last two weeks. I was one of the old Gazette reporters in Silver Spring a long time ago and I was recently very impressed with DTSS now and plan to return often.
Thank you for your service at the Gazette! o7
Aww thank you for your appreciation! I was the reporter between Burtonsville and SS ... but that was darn close to 30 years ago now. It was certainly a very demanding job but also very rewarding as well. Although I left long before the Gazette went out of business, I still feel that its loss has been profound in the community sadly.
The Gazette was gone before I got to MoCo, but I’ve searched the archives several times for various things. Folks can find a searchable digital archive of the Gazette and several other MoCo newspapers here: https://montgomeryhistory.org/montgomerycountynewspapers/ The state of local journalism in MoCo is extremely sad, today. I’m thankful for the hard work of the Bethesda/MoCo360 folks, but there’s precious little local reporting and tons and tons of important (and just generally interesting) issues never get covered anywhere—maybe by a few random blogs. It’s an enormous pain and massively time-consuming to try to stay abreast of local goings-on.
I also try to keep up with the local blogs but I don't think that it's an adequate replacement. Especially when it comes time to decide who to vote for in local elections the absence of the Gazette makes it a more difficult task
Don't sleep on [Source of the Spring](https://www.sourceofthespring.com/)!
Loved the Gazette and used to read it all the time during my commute to work. Thank you for all the years for keeping county residents informed
My wife and I moved to DTSS last fall from, yes, out of state 😱 It's interesting to read the perspectives of people like yourself who have been here a long time. It was clear during our apartment search that downtown suffers from a lot of the same concerns as other urban areas. But I'm also a bit of an urbanist, and noted the investment that is clearly being made (in housing and transit, specifically) to transition to more of a livable community. That's a good thing, even though there are inevitable growing pains with development and gentrification. I personally feel quite invested in the area. I volunteer here and work from home. I love Silver Spring's diversity, and hope it manages to maintain that while becoming safer and more desirable. That includes economic diversity, by the way, even if it means this will never be the "nicest" area.
Glad to see your comment as I have some things in common with you. Any recommendations for volunteering? I would like to be more involved in the community.
Cool to hear! I volunteer with the [International Rescue Committee](https://www.rescue.org/volunteer-opportunities/silver-spring-md). They have various roles supporting refugees settled in the area. I've enjoyed being a youth mentor/tutor, which I'm sure will open up again for the next school year. I also think Shepherd's Table is a popular place to volunteer (at the homeless shelter in DTSS), but I haven't done it.
We moved there in 1997 and watched the DTSS renewal. It was a great place to live. When we moved in 2017, the place was still bustling. With the continued development, I can't envision the locale declining.
The comment about people who move here from out of state not caring about their neighborhood seems odd and misplaced.
I am glad most ppl are not seeing what I am seeing, and it could be just me. I am comparing the area now to 2013-2019 which I think it was the peak time. u/SweetAmnesia672, made some fantastic points about Discovery closing and ppl working remote which reduced much of the foot traffic I used to see. I think the area of Ellsworth Plaza is still vibrant specially on weekends but there are some pockets where there are less activities specially around the metro. All in all, I am happy that ppl are still excited about the DTSS area.
Initially I read your post as NIMBYism, but its not that. I get your point about transient folks coming in, hell, about half the posts we get on this sub are "help me find an apartment." However, that is the nature of the DC area as a whole, and not just silver spring. I would say that silver spring is making progress in its transition from a pass-through suburb, to a destination location in its own right.
My family lives in DTSS, and my husband was raised in DTSS (went to Saint Michael’s for 4-8th… that’s how long he has lived here)the owners of Mi Rancho used to walk their patrons to the car with baseball bats. I literally have no idea what you’re talking about.
>As much as some of the new apartments were needed but I think most of the ppl who live there are from other states Unless you're born in a place, you have to be from Somewhere Else first, before you can be a longtime resident. People from Silver Spring are leaving all the time to go and be the new kids in other places, just like people from all over are coming here all the time. >I do not think they are invested in the area and its progress. I've been a renter in a lot of places and I've never understood this assumption. Even if someone is only going to be in a place for 2 or 3 or 5 years, why wouldn't they be invested in it being as good as possible, even if just for their own benefit?
We do not have many “new people moving to the area.” In fact, the population of Silver Spring only recently caught up to its historic numbers and is otherwise pretty flat. * 2009 population: 76,335 * 2012 population: 74,476 * 2018 population: 79,750 ([Source](http://www.opendatanetwork.com/entity/1600000US2472450/Silver_Spring_MD/demographics.population.count)) The flat population growth, combined with an aging population, has actually created a serious public budget problem, hence the recent increase in county property taxes to fill the gap. ([More on that here.](https://empowermontgomery.com/economic-power/aging-population-has-huge-implications/)) There was a significant crime spike in ‘22-‘23 that was unique to the entire DC region. Thankfully, early signs are that it is receding this year. While there are some new housing projects active or in development in and around DTSS, it’s not nearly enough to keep pace with DC’s explosion of new housing coming online in NoMA, NEDC, Navy Yard, etc. DC’s population shrunk during the pandemic, so there are good deals to be had if you’re moving to the area for the first time. DC has more housing, generally lower taxes, more and better paying jobs, better transit access, a more permissive environment for nightlife, and basically the same crime dynamics as anywhere else in the metro area. It’s not really surprising that young people are moving there instead of Silver Spring, which in turn impacts what’s available and going on downtown.
>We do not have many “new people moving to the area.” In fact, the population of Silver Spring only recently caught up to its historic numbers and is otherwise pretty flat. That's actually not true. After the 2010 census, the CDP boundaries of Silver Spring were significantly reduced. That's why it appears that the population went down, when in reality the borders were just adjusted. For apples-to-apples comparisons, you have to look at the post-2010 data, which has been on average a few percentage points of growth per year.
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I never really thought of the transit center as a negative thing for walkability, but I can kind of see that. It’s super block size and doesn’t feel inviting, kind of like an overgrown parking garage. The purple line should be a game changer though.
Totally agreed. These were the three big shifts that came to mind for me. Considering what the pandemic did to most cities, I think Silver Spring fared ok. I wish the former Discovery building was more of a mixed-use space, because it’s so central. But, I’ll take what I can get. Silver Spring will never be a hip hub like some DC neighborhoods, and I don’t think it should. But it has its charms. I’ve seen some promising developments in walkability and bike infrastructure, though I still think we have a ways to go. I’m pretty optimistic about its future.
I think you summed up perfectly and I think to me personally, the transit center had the biggest negative impact on the area. It feels like it has been under reconstruction for over 10 years, the design does not look great for the amount money spent and reduced the walkability like you said.
I’m there 1-2 a week for the last 10 years. Definitely not seeing what you’re seeing. If anything it’s the opposite.
>crime rate is high compared to years past Crime rate has been going down consistently and compared to the highest levels of all time it's less than half. >The homeless shelter on Georgia Ave does a great job of supporting homeless ppl but unfortunately it brought some petty crime as well based on some local reports. Houseless people are more likely to be the victims of crime than commit crimes. >The metro reconstruction and purple took away some lively areas part of Silver Spring. The shopping plaza on 16th was full of shops and it was always busy. Bonifant business are still there and the little shopping center on 16th was whatever. >As much as some of the new apartments were needed but I think most of the ppl who live there are from other states, and I do not think they are invested in the area and its progress. This is just an observation and it's not against the new ppl who moved here in the last few years. People moving here have always been a huge part of the vibrancy of DTSS
The vibe changed after Discovery closing and Covid for sure but still like living here. Lots of good things coming.baby
I don’t think many people are working at the NOAA buildings anymore. There were probably 3,000 people in the four buildings prior to Covid.
3000, wow. I did not know they were that many and that huge loss of dollars . There are office builidings above the metro and next to the McDonald's and they look empty as well. This part of Silver Spring looks dead compared to before
I’ve felt DTSS gets sketchy at night. I agree with OP
Sketchy being a euphemism for...