[RP TownTalk] FW: Birchmere To Open New Music Hall in College Park (fwd)

[Nancy Augustine]

YIPPEEE!!!!  

This takes some of the sting out of losing the Surf Club.


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Birchmere To Open New Music Hall in College Park State of the Art Venue to
Come to East Campus Redevelopment Project


COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The world-renowned Birchmere today announced plans to
open a 500 seat, state-of-the art music venue in College Park, Maryland -
part of a major redevelopment project being carried out by the University of
Maryland and Foulger-Pratt/Argo. FP/Argo developed the nationally recognized
Downtown Silver Spring project.
Under the deal, the Birchmere - which attracts such diverse acts as Herbie
Hancock, Lyle Lovett and Arturo Sandoval - would also build and operate a
stage for up-and-coming singer-songwriters in the Washington, D.C.
Metropolitan area, partnering with the University of Maryland 's School of
Music and others helping to develop and nurture the stars of tomorrow.
"We're very excited about opening a venue in suburban Maryland, and couldn't
ask for better partners and a more ideal location," said the Birchmere's
founder Gary Oelze. "We are very excited to have such a major player in the
local music scene join us in creating a world-class, mixed-use center in
College Park," added Richard Perlmutter of Argo Investment Company.

For nearly forty years, the Birchmere has operated a live music venue in
Alexandria , Virginia , where it has earned a reputation as one of the
premiere venues in America. "In music circles, the reputation of the
Birchmere is legendary. Many careers have been launched from this
internationally recognized music hall. The Birchmere is committed to the
presentation of the highest quality and most diverse music possible in a
comfortable and intimate atmosphere," says the Birchmere's Gary Oelze.
"Our goal with the East Campus development is to give the community more
entertainment, retail and restaurant options, and the Birchmere will be a
key part in this effort," said Douglas M. Duncan, University of Maryland
vice president for administrative affairs. "The opportunities for creative
collaboration with the university and our students are limitless and we
couldn't be more excited about this."

An artist's rendition of what the East Campus Development might look like in
College Park.
"The Birchmere is an exciting opportunity and I look forward to working with
the university, the city, and community on this project," said County
Councilman Eric Olson, who represents the College Park area.

The Birchmere will be part of a major mixed-use development of 2.6 million
square feet on the East Campus of the University of Maryland, which will
include retail, residential, hotel, and office space. "Having the Birchmere
as a key anchor is just what we have been looking for to kick off this
effort," said Bryant Foulger of the Foulger-Pratt Companies.

About the University of Maryland
>From its pre-Civil War roots as Maryland's first agricultural college and
one of America's original land grant institutions, the University of
Maryland today is the flagship campus of the University System of Maryland
and one of the nation's preeminent public research universities. Ranked No.
18 by U.S. News & World Report, it also has 31 academic programs in the Top
10 and 92 in the Top 25. The current faculty includes three Nobel Laureates,
six Pulitzer Prize winners, 40 members of the National Academies of Science,
and scores of Fulbright scholars. Maryland is committed to excellence as the
state's premier center of research and graduate education and the
institution of choice for undergraduate students of exceptional ability and
promise. For more information about the University of Maryland, visit
www.umd.edu.

About Foulger-Pratt
Established in 1963, Foulger-Pratt is one of the Washington region's most
experienced and diverse real estate firms. The award-winning organization
offers development, construction, asset management, and property management
services. Foulger-Pratt is headquartered in Rockville , MD. For more
information, visit: www.foulgerpratt.com.
About Argo
Established in 1996, Argo has completed over 2 million square feet of
residential, office, retail, and civic facilities throughout the Washington
, DC area. The firm is headquartered in Rockville , MD. For more information
visit: www.argoinvestment.com.