About this Location

Facility Overview

Planning Place Public Parking Lot 2 is a municipal surface parking facility situated just off Spring Street and Georgia Avenue in the northern section of Downtown Silver Spring, Maryland. Operated under the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Parking Lot District system, this open-air parking facility features a straightforward, flat layout with drive aisles designed for swift maneuverability. Because it is a surface lot without multi-tier overhangs or low concrete clearance limits, Lot 2 offers a key advantage over nearby multi-story decks: it easily accommodates high-roof utility vans, lifted pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, and vehicles carrying roof racks, cargo boxes, or bicycles.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Strategically positioned near the intersection of Georgia Avenue (MD-97) and Spring Street, Planning Place Public Parking Lot 2 provides immediate pedestrian access to the vibrant Downtown Silver Spring commercial and cultural corridor. Visitors can reach numerous premier regional destinations on foot:

The Fillmore Silver Spring: Renowned live music venue, located less than a 10-minute walk (0.4 miles) away.
AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center: Historic art-deco cinema and film festival destination, roughly an 8-minute walk (0.3 miles) south on Colesville Road.
Ellsworth Place & Downtown Silver Spring Plaza: Bustling outdoor shopping, dining, and retail hubs featuring national retailers and local eateries, situated within a 7- to 10-minute walk.
Silver Spring Civic Building & Veterans Plaza: Center of outdoor festivals, the seasonal outdoor ice rink, and weekly farmers markets, approximately 8 minutes away on foot.
Rock Creek Park & Sligo Creek Trails: Nearby parklands and recreational greenways accessible within minutes by car or bicycle.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress to Lot 2 are handled smoothly via Planning Place, a low-stress access road connecting directly to Spring Street, providing rapid dispersion away from heavy pedestrian corridors. The facility is directly linked to major transportation corridors including Georgia Avenue (MD-97), Colesville Road (US-29), 16th Street, and the Capital Beltway (I-495 at Exit 31), allowing drivers to easily avoid inner-downtown gridlock during rush hour. For commuters and transit riders, the Silver Spring Transit Center (servicing the Washington Metro Red Line, MARC Brunswick Line commuter rail, Metrobus, and Ride On transit networks) is located only 0.5 miles to the south, approximately a 10- to 12-minute walk.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Parking: Generous vertical clearance with no height limitations, well-suited for oversized and tall vehicles.
MCDOT Pay Stations: Modern multi-space digital pay-by-plate meter stations accepting major credit cards and coins.
Contactless Mobile Payments: Full integration with the ParkMobile app for on-the-go payment, remote time extensions, and session receipts.
Accessible Parking: Designated ADA-accessible stalls located closest to the primary sidewalk access ramps.
Safety & Visibility: Well-lit parking field with clear lane striping, directional signage, and regular municipal patrol.

Ideal For

Concertgoers and Nightlife Visitors: Convenient, budget-friendly surface parking for evening shows at The Fillmore Silver Spring or screenings at AFI Silver Theatre.
Daily Metro Commuters: Reliable parking option within comfortable walking distance of the Silver Spring Red Line Metro Station.
Downtown Shoppers and Diners: Stress-free access to Ellsworth Place, local restaurants, and cafes along Georgia Avenue and Fenton Street.
Contractors & High-Clearance Vehicles: Tradespeople and drivers of high-roof vans or commercial pickup trucks who cannot enter underground parking garages.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Metered enforcement hours in Montgomery County Silver Spring surface lots typically run Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, while parking is generally free of charge on county holidays and weekends (check posted signs upon arrival for the latest local schedules). Drivers using ParkMobile should take note of the posted zone number displayed on signs throughout the lot to quickly initiate parking sessions from their smartphones. When attending sold-out weekend concerts or community events at Veterans Plaza, aim to arrive 20 to 30 minutes early, as surface spaces fill quickly during peak evening dining and entertainment hours.