Contact: Esther Bowring, 240-777-6530
Sheila Sullivan Sprague, 240-777-6550
For Immediate Release: October 31, 2001

Invitation to Present Proposals for an
Arts and Entertainment District at Public Hearing

Interested parties will have the opportunity to provide public comment or present their proposal for an Arts and Entertainment District designation in Montgomery County at a public hearing to be held on Thursday, November 15 7:30 p.m. in the Montgomery County Council Office Building, 3rd floor hearing room. Proposals will be considered by a newly created Ad Hoc Arts and Entertainment District Selection Advisory Panel. The Panel will submit its recommendation to the County Executive and County Council for approval.

In April, the State legislature passed SB 586, which authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) to designate arts and entertainment districts in which tax and other financial benefits will be available for arts and entertainment enterprises and qualifying residing artists. Each year, DBED can create six districts; no jurisdiction may have more than one district designated in a single year. The County’s Ad Hoc Advisory Panel will evaluate the various proposals and recommend one to the County Executive and County Council for submission to the State by the December 1 deadline.

Members of the Ad Hoc Panel, appointed today by the County Council, are Jon Palmer Claridge, Arts & Humanities Council; John Carter, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission; Justina Ferber, Montgomery County Council staff; Susan Tabach, public at-large; Van Stevenson, visual and performing arts community; David Edgerley, Department of Economic Development; and Patricia Shepherd, Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

To sign up to speak at the public hearing or for further information contact Sheila Sprague at 240-777-6555.