We noted awhile ago that the owners of the Birchmere had been in talks to open another venue in Silver Spring — while that has fallen by the wayside, it looks like Live Nation will be moving in instead.
The Clear Channel spinoff, which produces concerts and owns music venues around the country, including Nissan Pavilion, various Fillmores, and the House of Blues chain, signed a letter of intent to build in an old J.C. Penney store across from the AFI Silver Theater and Cultural Center at Georgia Avenue and Colesville Road.
The hall is expected to open in late 2009 or 2010 and will hold 500 people seated or 2,000 standing. For comparison, the 9:30 Club holds 1200. This doesn’t spell the end for the Birchmere’s plans either however, Free Ride notes that the Alexandria venue is talking to the University of Maryland about a new space. Free Ride also notes the 9:30 Club was looking into the same Silver Spring location as well. And there was also talk of (and opposition to) a House of Blues in Penn Quarter, but we haven’t heard much about that in awhile.
The project is expected to cost $10 million, though $8 million of that will come from Montgomery County and the State of Maryland. Seems like a pretty good deal for Live Nation, although the Post notes the venue will be open for public and private events, “local talent nights and community events.” They quoted a Live Nation executive rather unsurprisingly saying, “[i]t’s not going to be just another rock club,” he said, mentioning “rock, folk, blues, jazz, country, comedy and children’s entertainment.”
We’ll reserve judgment on this — maybe the place will be that decent concert hall we’re looking for. What do you think? A much-needed venue, or a corporate threat to local music halls?
Photo by Flickr user katmere
