View All News

Public Comments Sought on the Wheaton Arts and Entertainment District

Release Date: March 10, 2016

Public Comments Sought on the Wheaton Arts and Entertainment District

For Immediate Release

Interested parties are invited to provide comments on the re-designation of the Wheaton Arts and Entertainment District at a public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, March 22 at 7 p.m. at The George Apartments community room, 11141 Georgia Avenue, Wheaton MD 20902. Wheaton was designated an Arts and Entertainment District in 2006 for a 10-year period and the designation will expire in 2016. As the designation proved to be successful, the County intends to apply for re-designation.

In 2001, the State of Maryland enacted legislation that authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) to designate arts and entertainment districts in which tax and other financial benefits will be available for arts and entertainment enterprises and qualifying resident artists.

Each year, DBED may create six districts, with no jurisdiction having more than one district designated in a single year. In Montgomery County, the central business districts of Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton have each been designated an Arts and Entertainment District.

Comments will be heard by representatives from Montgomery County who will submit an application to the State for a re-designation and a plan to further the arts in Wheaton.

Those wishing to speak at the public hearing should call Sidney Cooper at 240-777-8106. Written comments may also be submitted via email to sidney.cooper@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Public parking is available across the street from the Wheaton Regional Services Center.