Facility Overview
Kennett Street Garage (Garage 9) is a multi-level municipal parking structure operated by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), centrally situated at 8040 Kennett Street in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland. Positioned just south of East-West Highway (MD-410) and west of Georgia Avenue (US-29), this covered garage provides hundreds of organized parking stalls across multiple decks. The facility is fully structured with weather-protected covered levels alongside open-air rooftop parking. Standard passenger sedans, crossovers, mid-size SUVs, and standard light-duty trucks can easily navigate the interior drive aisles and parking bays. Drivers of lifted trucks, full-size extended commercial vans, or vehicles equipped with high roof racks should remain mindful of the posted overhead clearance restrictions (typically around 6 feet 8 inches) and observe height clearance signage at entry portals before proceeding into covered decks.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Strategically placed within the South Silver Spring district, Garage 9 offers seamless pedestrian access to major retail, dining, entertainment, and employment destinations:
- Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center & Silver Spring Metro: Located approximately a 6-to-8-minute walk (0.3 miles) away, connecting directly to Washington D.C. via the Metrorail Red Line and MARC Commuter Rail.
- The Fillmore Silver Spring & AFI Silver Theatre: Premier live concert and historic cinema venues located less than a 10-minute walk northeast.
- Downtown Silver Spring & Ellsworth Place: Bustling outdoor shopping plazas, department stores, and eateries situated within 8 to 12 minutes on foot.
- NOAA Headquarters & Silver Spring Civic Building: Major federal and regional administrative hubs situated just under half a mile away.
- Acorn Park & Jesup Blair Park: Historic green spaces and walking paths positioned moments away from the garage perimeter.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
Drivers can conveniently enter and exit Kennett Street Garage via primary curb cuts on Kennett Street, with quick connectivity to 13th Street, Eastern Avenue, and Georgia Avenue. Traffic flow inside the facility is regulated with clear one-way drive aisles, intuitive ramp configurations, and prominent exit guidance that facilitates an orderly departure during evening rush hours and post-event dismissals. Regional access is exceptionally direct, as Georgia Avenue connects commuters straight to the Capital Beltway (I-495) to the north and into Washington, D.C. to the south. For travelers transitioning to mass transit, the nearby Silver Spring Transit Center offers direct access to WMATA Red Line trains, Brunswick Line MARC trains, Metrobus lines, and Montgomery County Ride On regional bus services.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Multi-deck covered parking safeguarding vehicles from rain, snow, and extreme sun.
- Designated accessible ADA parking stalls positioned conveniently close to elevators and pedestrian egress stairwells.
- Flexible payment options including MobileNow/ParkMobile app payment integrations and centralized multi-space pay stations accepting major credit cards and debit cards.
- Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations available on select lower tiers.
- Well-illuminated interiors equipped with overhead lighting, safety mirrors on blind turns, and emergency call stations.
- Motorcycle-designated spaces and bicycle parking provisions located on the ground level.
Ideal For
- Daily D.C. commuters seeking reliable park-and-ride access near the Silver Spring Metrorail and MARC hub.
- Concertgoers attending live performances at The Fillmore Silver Spring or screenings at AFI Silver Theatre.
- Local professionals and contractors visiting regional corporate offices, federal facilities, and business centers.
- Shoppers and diners exploring Ellsworth Place, Fenton Village, and the vibrant culinary scene along Georgia Avenue.
- Residents and visitors needing affordable short-term or extended monthly permit parking in the South Silver Spring urban corridor.
Visitor & Driver Tips
MCDOT enforcement hours in the Silver Spring Parking Lot District generally apply on weekdays from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, while parking is typically free on Sundays and select Montgomery County official holidays. Always review posted rate placards upon arrival or verify active hours within the ParkMobile app to confirm up-to-date enforcement schedules. If you are visiting during weekday morning rush hours, aim for upper tiers where open spots are consistently abundant. Keep your license plate number on hand when paying at walk-up pay stations, or register your plate directly through the parking app prior to arrival for a seamless touchless payment experience.