The COMMITTEE
BID-enabling legislation was passed early in 2017, after a multiple-year effort to bring this public-private partnership model to Montgomery County. In fall 2017, a group of downtown stakeholders, property owners and business owners began meeting to shape the future vision for a BID. A wide range of stakeholders believes that shifting from the County-run Urban District model to a nonprofit-led BID model will bring more innovation, resources and strategic leadership to shaping downtown Silver Spring’s future.
The committee met with and researched BIDs across the region to develop a business plan and outreach strategy and gathered enough support to develop the required legislation to form a BID. The Committee includes representatives from the following entities:
All Set Restaurant & Bar
Astro lab Brewing
Atlantic Realty
Bozzuto
Brandywine
Brookfield
CBG Building Company
Denizens Brewing Co.
Discovery
Equity Residential
Fairfield
Foulger-Pratt
GBT
GO Brent Residential Real Estate
Guardian Realty
Innovative Business Interiors
JBG Smith
KALDI’S SOCIAL HOUSE
Maisel Development
Mrs. K's Restaurant & Barrel Bar
McGinty's Public House
The Peterson Companies
SOUTHERN MANAGEMENT
Starr Capital
StonebridgeCarras
The Tower Companies
United Therapeutics
Urban Butcher
Urban Winery
Washington Property Company
Willco
CURRENT STATUS
In January 2021, Councilmember Hans Riemer and Council President Tom Hucker introduced legislation in the Montgomery County Council to form the Silver Spring BID. The BID formation committee is working with community, business, and government stakeholders to ensure the Silver Spring BID will succeed as an effective and inclusive organization that helps Downtown Silver Spring stakeholders thrive as they navigate the many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
What is a BID?
Business improvement districts are nonprofits funded by property owners that focus on the intersection of place, economy, and culture in collaborative, innovative and nimble ways. BIDs bridge the gap between the public and private sectors — and therefore have some of the advantages of both. The industry consists of more than 2,500 place management organizations employing 100,000 people throughout North America — with an additional 500 organizations located across the globe.
But we already have the Silver Spring Urban District here; what benefits will a BID provide?
Unlike the existing Urban District model in downtown Silver Spring, which is governed by a committee and ultimately managed by the county, BIDs are governed by a board of stakeholders that is elected by members. BIDs are dedicated to ensuring a high-quality urban experience that enhances the value of the properties and businesses to which they are accountable.
More Resources
Urban place management is a growing industry with more than 4,000 organizations worldwide.
> Read more about the history of the BID model from the DC BID Council.
> Visit the website of the International Downtown Association, the premier urban place management trade group.