Wheaton Re-designated as Arts and Entertainment District for Next Decade

For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 7, 2016

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett is proud to announce that Wheaton has been re-designated as an official Arts & Entertainment (A&E) District for the next ten years by the Maryland State Arts Council. In Montgomery County, it joins only two other urban districts with the same distinction: Bethesda and Silver Spring. 

“Wheaton is about to embark on a substantial redevelopment and is beginning the transformation into a more vibrant, cultural urban center,” said Leggett.  “Wheaton is the most ethnically and culturally diverse district served by Metro in Montgomery County and one of the most diverse in Maryland and the Washington region.  Wheaton’s culture and arts presence reflects the pride of that diversity.”

Along with re-designation, expansion of the District boundaries was also approved to include the new Wheaton Library/Recreation Center and Westfield Mall.  This expansion allows Wheaton to maximize surrounding acreage in an effort to encourage continued economic and community revitalization.

“The re-designation and expansion of downtown Wheaton as an Arts & Entertainment District provides a boost to the redevelopment effort that is underway and furthermore, supports a place where culture, creativity and economic development can come together and thrive,” said Mid-County Regional Service Center Director Luisa Montero-Diaz.

As part of the A&E re-designation application, the Wheaton Urban District developed a strategic plan which will guide activity and growth in a manner consistent with the values articulated by so many in the Wheaton community. To view the Strategic Plan, please visit: wheatonmd.org/_files/docs/strategic-plan.pdf

To learn more about the Maryland State Arts Council, the A&E program and the tax incentives available to developers and artists within the District, visit www.msac.org/programs/arts-entertainment-districts

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Release ID: 16-439
Media Contact: Ohene Gyapong 240-777-6507