Despite continued opposition, Montgomery County finalized a deal with Live Nation for a Fillmore music hall in Silver Spring earlier this week. The deal, opposed by some local businesses, non-profits, residents, and a few Montgomery County legislators, will give the company $8 million in city county and state funds for the 2000-seat venue, which will pay a discounted rent of about $90,000 a year to the county. The county expects the venue to bring in $1.1 million in state and local tax revenue per year, for a profit on about $700,000 after bond payments.

The company also agreed to a few more provisions, including county government use, a $3000 maximum fee for community events, a donation to the Celebrate Silver Spring Foundation, auctions, and giving the county executive six tickets to each event. Hopefully those tickets won’t cause the same problems as the Verizon Center’s government tickets.

But some, such as county councilmember Marc Elrich, remain opposed to the deal. He told the Post, “I still think it was a rip-off and we could have done better.” Seth Hurwitz, owner of I.M.P., which runs in the 9:30 Club and other large area venues, is also still fighting the plan, taking his case to county and state legislators. He previously proposed building a similar venue with no public expenditures, offered to pay higher rent and has complained about the lack of openness to the process.

“We’re continuing to respond to legislators’ questions, both at the county and state level,” I.M.P. spokesperson Audrey Schaefer said. “Many are concerned that there was no proposal process, others are curious as to why the county would not seek a better offer, especially considering the $400 million budget shortfall in the county.”

Despite the seeming finality of the Live Nation deal, I.M.P. doesn’t plan to give up.

“There are many, many steps to this and it’s certainly not a done deal. We’re staying fully engaged, and still hopeful that we will get fair consideration for our proposal,” Schaefer said.

The Fillmore, to be located at Colesville Road and Georgia Avenue, is scheduled to open in July 2010.

Photo by jcsupersmith