Frequently Asked Questions
Silver Spring Civic Building

General Inquiries/ Date availability

  •  Staff Contact Information

Administrative Assistant: Macire Dabo, 240-777-5350
Booking Specialist: Sanjukta Sil Upadhyay, 240-777-5333
Administrative Coordinator:
Logistics Specialist: David Park, 240-777-5315
Operations Manager: Miguel Lozada, 240-777-5308 

  • How do I schedule a site visit?

To schedule a site visit please email the staff at [email protected]. 

  • What dates are available?

You can contact our Welcome Desk to find out if a date is available.  
PH: 240-777-5350
Email: [email protected]. 

  • What are the operating hours for the Administration?

The Administrative office is open from Monday to Friday 9AM to 5PM 

  • What are the rates for the rooms?

Please check the Fee Chart for the pricing information. 

  • How far in advance can I reserve the facility?

The Great Hall can be reserved 18 months in advance.
The Ellsworth Room, Spring Room, Fenton Room or the Colesville Room can be reserved 12 months in advance. 

  • Do I need to pay for the set up before and the clean up after the event?

Yes, you pay for the set-up time and clean up time. Your reservation time will consist of
SET UP TIME + EVENT TIME + CLEANUP TIME.  

  • What is the square footage of each room and the guest capacity?

Room Name Standing Theatre Style Banquet Square Ft
Great Hall 722 500/400 with stage 320 W/O Dance Floor 64x79 = 5046 Sq FT Ceiling HT = 27ft
Great Hall Half 361 220/200 with stage 150 w/o Dance Floor  
Atrium 100     23x79 = 1817 
Warming Kitchen 10     21x14 = 249 Sq FT
Court Yard 45     50x20 = 1000 Sq FT
Ellsworth 120 100 70 50 x 27 = 1350 Sq FT
Ellsworth Half 60 50 30 24 x 27 = 648 sq FT
Spring 120 90 80 31 x 46 = 1426 Sq FT
Fenton 106 80 60 43 x 27 = 1161 Sq FT
Colesville

Available for meeting/conference or in conjunction with Fenton Room, Capacity 25

     24 x 27 = 648 sq FT

  • Do you have preferred vendors for events?

No, we do not have preferred vendors for events. You can have any vendor for catering, decoration, etc. The vendors must follow our guidelines.

  • Can I serve alcohol?

Yes, you can provide alcohol for your guests, but all alcohol must be served by certified bartenders. A certified copy of the bartending licensed must always be turned in and displayed. To be able to serve alcohol, there needs to be security. The charge for security guard is $35/hr. The Security guard will be from the time your event starts till the time you are out of the building.

  • Can I sell alcohol during my event?

Yes, you can sell alcohol. You will need a one day alcohol permit.

  • Can a nonprofit organization serve alcohol during the event?

Yes. A nonprofit organization can serve alcohol. A one day alcohol permit is required.

  • What is the maximum duration I can reserve the room?

Monday to Thursday – 6AM to 1AM
Friday to Sunday - 6AM to 2AM
 

  • Can I reserve for multiple dates?

Yes. Based on availability. Please check the availability with the staff. 

  • How late can I reserve the facility?

Based on availability, you can reserve the facility 10 business days prior to the start of your event. Reservation is not offered less than 10 business days to the start of your event. 

  • Can I cook in the kitchen?

No. The Kitchen is a warming kitchen. It has warming drawers, Refrigerator, freezer, ice machine, microwave, and sink. 

  • Do you give quotes?

No. You can use the Single day Cost Estimation tool on the website. Please note: For reservation end time past 12 midnight, please treat it as two-day reservation. 

  • Are candles and open flames allowed for events?

It depends. Candles must be in protective glass. No open flames allowed. The facility appreciates using flameless candles. Please check the policies and procedures.

  • Do you allow smoking?

No, smoking is not allowed in Veterans Plaza and inside the Civic Building.

  • Are there limitations on decoration?

Just one – you are welcome to decorate. There should be nothing permanent and no harm to the venue. Nails, staples, tapes, glue, or any sticky residue are not permitted.

  • Is there parking at the Civic Building

There is a parking garage opposite to the Civic Building.
The address is: 801 Ellsworth Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
For more information, please visit the Website.

  • Is the Civic Building wheelchair accessible?

Yes, we are ADA approved. 

  • Am I responsible for cleaning after the event?

At the end of your event, each room should look like it did when you arrived. In other words, you are required to leave the room the way that you found it.
The space should be free of food and beverages.
Trash bags should be placed in the dumpster provided on the property.
Recyclable items should be separated and disposed of in our recycling bins.
All items brought in by you, your vendors, or your guests will need to be removed by the permit holder. 

  • Can I come in earlier and decorate if I am having my ceremony at another location without purchasing additional hours?

All hours must be consecutive. Your event begins when your permit time begins. 

  • Can I drop items off the day before for an event next day?

No. All items are to arrive when you or your vendors arrive and are to be taken off the property when your event comes to an end. 

  • Is there internet or Wi-Fi provided on-site?

We provide basic WI-FI. Password will be given prior to event. 

  • Are food & beverage services permitted in the venue?

No, we do not provide Food and Beverage services at the venue.
If alcohol is served, security guard is required. Please communicate to the Logistic Specialist at least 10 business days prior to your event. 

  • Can I arrive before the time that the contract states?

No, the staff is scheduled according to the time that your event starts, so this would not be possible. 

  • What is included in the audio & video package for the Great Hall includes?

The audio & video package available only for the Great Hall includes 6 wireless microphones, 2 lavaliers, speakers, 1 Podium, 1 podium microphone, 1 laptop, and projector + screens. 

For reservation

  • What is the reservation process?

To reserve a room, please complete the Application for Use form and FULA and submit it to the Booking Specialist [email protected].
Based on availability, the Booking Specialist will reach out to you to process the Application, check the photo ID, and take the payment. Once you receive the permit, only then the reservation is confirmed.

  • Can I make changes to the reservation?

Yes. Please send the change request in writing to the Booking Specialist. A $25 Admin Fee will be added to your account along with the change in rental fee. 

  • Can I cancel the reservation?

Yes. Cancellation Policy will apply. Please check the Cancellation Policy. 

  • Other than the rental fee do I have any other obligations?

Yes. You need to submit the Liability Insurance. Please check the sample document. 

  • How can I reserve the Veterans Plaza?

To reserve the Veterans Plaza, please send a Proposal Form to the Operations Manager. 

For Billing

  1. Through Credit Card in person or through phone. Please contact.
Sanjukta Sil Upadhyay – PH: 240 777 5333,
Email: [email protected]
 
For other forms of payment, please contact the Booking Specialist for details. 

  • Is there any payment plan available?

Yes, there is a payment plan for reservations that include the Great Hall and/or the Veterans Plaza.
It is $250 down at the time of permit, 50% of the balance is due in 14 days from the time the permit was created, the remainder 50% of the balance is due 90 days before the start of the event. If the event is less than 90 days away, the payment in full is due at the time the permit is created.
 

For Insurance

  • Where can I get the liability Insurance?

There are many organizations that sell one day event insurance. Here is a sample insurance document.

For Logistics

  • What is included in the rental fee.

The rental fee includes the cost of reserving the room, chairs, tables, TV (Applicable only in Ellsworth Room, Spring Room, Fenton Room, Colesville Room). Complimentary set up of tables and chair is available for the Great Hall only. 

  • For the Great Hall how can I get the setup of chairs and tables based on my plan?

The Logistic Specialist will reach out to the customer before the event to discuss the set up of tables and chairs. Once the setup is approved and signed, it is sent to the staff for set up. 

  • Dimensions for tables? How many do they sit?

The dimension of the rectangular table is 6’ x 2.5’ and sits 6
The diameter of the circular table is 6’and sits 8~10.
Cocktail Table dimension – 4Ft High 2.5Ft wide 

  • Is tablecloth included?

No. You are most welcome to bring tablecloth of your choice. 

  • Is staff included with the cost for A/V package?

NO. There will be Event Monitor on standby who will troubleshoot in case there is an issue. The Patron is responsible to operate the A/V for the event. 

  • What is the dimension of the Chair?

Chair Dimensions

  • What is the dimension of the stage? Is there a skirt for the stage?

The maximum dimension of the stage is 10ft deep x 15ftwide x 20 inches high. The stage is customizable. There is no skirt, but you are welcome to bring one that fits your theme. 

  • Can I record the event in the Great Hall?

Yes. We have audio out capabilities. All recording/ streaming equipment must be brought and operated by the user or third-party vendor. Please reach out to the Logistic Specialist for more details. 

  • Can I reserve A/V package and Stage for Veterans Plaza?

No. The A/V package and Stage is ONLY available for the Great Hall.