Silver Spring makes the New York Times

as an example of arts and entertainment district-led revitalization. See "A Dose of Art and Entertainment Revives a Suburb." Jerry McCoy, of the Silver Spring Historical Society, is quoted in the story.

While I believe that the nature of the redevelopment of that area is more akin to urban renewal, and is homogenizing the area, not to mention making it difficult for small businesses to succeed (see the UMD student economic development studio report from a couple years ago, "Minimizing Small Business Displacement") it does demonstrate the importance of political commitment, and public and private investment, not to mention the importance of focus, vision, and positioning.

In any case, there is no way that anyone could mistake Silver Spring for Manhattan's East Village. From the article:

Jackie Greenbaum, who lives in a new condo and owns Jackie’s, an upscale restaurant that was formerly an auto parts store, is less fearful. “I see Silver Spring as a little like the East Village” in Manhattan, she said. “I think there’s a very good chance it will stay interesting and a little edgy. At least that’s my hope.”