The plot thickens for the Montgomery County-Live Nation concert hall deal. In September the county signed a non-binding letter of intent with concert promoter Live Nation for a Fillmore concert hall in Silver Spring, which would give the company $8 million in state and county funds, rent well below the market rate, and other perks. But now, county council members, groups of residents, and even the Howard County executive are questioning the county’s deal and backing the proposal by I.M.P., Seth Hurwitz’s Montgomery-based company that runs the 9:30 Club and Merriweather Post Pavilion. I.M.P.’s proposal for a club would be cheaper for the county and would pay more rent.

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett isn’t having it, however, telling the Post that Hurwitz’s proposal was “just a distraction,” while the Woodside Park Civic Association’s president compared the current deal to a wedding engagement that should not be broken. Leggett echoed those sentiments, saying that to look at other offers now could hurt the county’s reputation in the future.

Some community members and county council members disagree. Council member George L. Leventhal told the Post that he doesn’t “consider the case closed in support of any one operator.” On November 20th, the Silver Spring Citizen’s Advisory Board asked the county to take another look at I.M.P. and asked to be a liaison between the county and Live Nation. Evan Glass, the South Silver Spring Neighborhood Association’s president, said, “If a local business owner is able to do what a national brand is able to do, and in a less expensive way, I don’t know how or why we’re not entertaining such offers.”