Lawsuit Over Silver Spring Concert Venue

By Matt Bush

In Maryland, the groundbreaking for a new concert venue in Silver Spring has passed.

But one local concert promoter is still fighting the project.

Promoter IMP, which owns several concert venues including DC's 930 Club, has sued Montgomery County over the Fillmore Silver Spring.

The two will have similar capacity for shows.

The groundbreaking for the Fillmore was held yesterday amid a rising price tag for the project.

When it was initially planned in 2002, the Fillmore was slated to cost $8 million.

But now, the price tag is more than $11 million, with Montgomery County paying the additional costs.

IMP alleges in its lawsuit the administration of County Executive Isiah Leggett knew as early as two years ago the project would cost more than the initial estimate, and hid the fact from the County Council, which approves all county spending.

County spokesman Patrick Lacefield dismisses the claims.

"This lawsuit is just another attempt by a D.C. based business to do away with competition in the area. Nothing more and nothing less than that," Lacefield says.

The Fillmore Silver Spring will use Live Nation as its promoter.

It is scheduled to open a year from now.