Grace Palo

WMAL.com

WASHINGTON — (WMAL) Montgomery County is now looking for a new development partner to work with the county to build an arena in downtown Silver Spring that will sit 5,000 people.

The county recently issued a new request for development proposals (RFDP) for a “new mixed-use arena development” to be located near the Silver Spring transit center. “County-owned properties at 1100 and 1101 Bonifant Drive— Parking Garage 5, Garage 55 and a connecting bridge—have been identified as the potential site for the proposed development,” the release said.

In the release, County Executive Ike Leggett said the project would “increase the economic vitality of Silver Spring and the county as a whole, while providing much needed diverse, public venues for residents and visitors to enjoy.”

According to the release, the site being offered for the private development is directly adjacent to the transit center, and is within walking distance of an array of dining and retail establishments.

The site should be able to house high school, collegiate, and professional sporting events, as well as graduations, and children’s shows and concerts, Leggett said in the release. According to the request for proposals, site plans should include exhibition and convention center spaces, assembly halls and auditoriums, a live entertainment venue for music, comedy, children and family shows, musicals, dance performances and private conference/dining rooms.

The arena would be managed by a sports facility management company with “expertise in the mid-size arena marketplace,” according to the RFDP.

The county Department of Transportation is currently organizing and controlling the effort to sort through and find viable proposals from qualified teams that will design, construct and operate an indoor sports, public assembly and entertainment facility. Responses are due by April 10.

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