Elizabeth Square project in downtown Silver Spring headed to Planning Board (Photos)

Elizabeth Square, a large mixed-use redevelopment of the Alexander House site adjacent to the railroad tracks in downtown Silver Spring, is headed to the Montgomery County Planning Board at its July 23 meeting.

Located at 2nd Avenue and Apple Avenue, about 2.5 blocks from the Silver Spring Metro station, the site currently holds the Alexander House apartments, the Elizabeth House apartments (14-story senior apartments), and the Fenwick Professional Park. The applicants, Lee Development Group and the Housing Opportunities Commission, plan to renovate and reconfigure the Alexander House, and add two new high-rise residential buildings.

Elizabeth House III will the new senior housing building, and Elizabeth House IV will be all-ages multi-family housing. Those new buildings will add 436 residential units to the site, for a total of 907 units. 15% will be affordable units, and 10% will be workforce housing units. 6,032 SF of retail and 63,896 SF of "community recreational center use" will round out the new site.

Public and government-use space will be added to the site, including a future extension of the Capital Crescent Trail, a Central Plaza, a public pool, fitness center, meeting rooms and classrooms, a Holy Cross Hospital-affiliated Wellness Center, and an educational kitchen for community members, called the Bistro Kitchen.

Planning staff is recommending approval of the plan, with conditions.

Photos via Montgomery County Planning Department