County Executive Marc Elrich recently joined County Councilmembers Evan Glass, Will Jawando and Hans Riemer to break ground for a new recreation/aquatic center and affordable apartment building for seniors at Elizabeth Square in Downtown Silver Spring.
The project will include mixed-income housing for residents age 62 and over that will be adjacent to newly renovated family apartments. Elizabeth House III will include 267-units. Of those, 106 will be for people at the lowest incomes, with many additional units for people at 60 percent or 80 percent of average median income.
Elizabeth Square also will include a modern recreation and aquatic center with swimming pools, a full-size gymnasium, an exercise and weight room, dance studios, culinary arts kitchen, senior programs and public recreation space. The square is within walking distance of the Silver Spring Metrorail Station and is adjacent to a County parking garage.
Montgomery County provided loans and tax abatements to support the project.
“It’s a great investment for the County,” said County Executive Elrich. “It’s a real accomplishment to be able to put together a development like this with that mix of housing. I’m thrilled—it is in a great location . . . It is really going to be a magnet for Silver Spring,”
Stacy Spann, executive director of Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC), joined the ceremonies. HOC, Acorn/Lee Development Group and the Montgomery County Government are working together to create the project.
