Tower Cos. gets green light for next step of Silver Spring shopping plaza redevelopment

Montgomery County Planning Board approves increased density for proposed home of animal hospital, retail

January 15, 2025 1:22 p.m.

A Rockville developer is expected to move ahead with plans for a proposed retail building at The Blairs shopping center in downtown Silver Spring now that the Montgomery County Planning Board has approved its request for a slightly bigger building.

On Thursday, the board approved the request by the Tower Cos. to increase the density of its proposed one-story building from 5,400 square feet to 7,350 square feet. Company representatives said during the board’s meeting that they expect the building to house retail businesses, an animal hospital and outdoor gathering spaces.

The site of the proposed one-story building is in the parking lot across from District Taco in the shopping plaza, near the corner of East West Highway and Colesville Road. The shopping center is home to a Giant supermarket, Mama Lucia and Crisp & Juicy. In addition, a handful of residential buildings surround the area including The Pearl and The Blair House.

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Bill Kominers, an attorney with the Lerch, Early & Brewer law firm representing the Tower Cos., told the board the proposed building was originally designed for a restaurant tenant. He did not identify the restaurant but said that it backed out at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

“Looking at it again today and trying to provide appropriate options for it, there was a feeling that [the building] needed a little bit more elbow room to try to accommodate what the applicant was looking for,” Kominers said.

He noted that leasing negotiations are ongoing with the possible animal hospital tenant.

The Blairs Master Plan

The proposed building is located within a section of The Blairs Master Plan, which proposes the 20-year redevelopment of the area encompassing the existing shopping center, office buildings and several residential buildings owned by the Tower Cos. According to planning documents, the plan calls for 450,000 square feet for commercial uses. It also calls for 3,375,400 square feet for residential uses — or a total of 2,800 residential dwelling units, 1,690 of which would be new. The board approved the Blairs Master Plan in 2013.

According to planning documents, the developer’s proposed building would be “temporary in nature, as [it is] located in the area that is planned for a future residential building and green space to be approved by a future Site Plan.” Planning documents state the removal of the temporary building can occur at any time as determined by the Tower Cos.

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Commissioner Mitra Pedoeem clarified with the developer that the proposed building would be temporary.

“Probably, I guess that you have calculated for some time that it makes it worthwhile to spend [money to build it]. So, eventually, in the final design this could come down … but right now that’s what makes sense to put in,” Pedoeem said. “It’s a beautiful building. I really like what you have done.”

Planning Board Chair Artie Harris said it was “amazing” to see the developer’s long-term vision for the property.

“It’s really interesting that you’re willing to invest a lot in an interim solution, which also shows your long-term commitments,” Harris said.

A timeline for the development of the interim building was not discussed at the meeting. Gary Abramson, a partner at Tower Cos. who was listed on the company’s plan amendment application, did not respond to Bethesda Today’s request for comment regarding the plans and the project’s timeline.

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In discussing the future of the site, the development team said bringing the full master plan to fruition was dependent on market conditions.

“We are fully motivated to build out the master plan as soon as possible as the market allows it,” Mohammed Hamidaddin, director of construction for Tower Cos., said during the meeting. “It doesn’t make a lot of sense for us to build buildings that will then stay empty. It’s not good for the neighborhood, it’s not good for us, not good for anyone really.”

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