I.M.P. Sues Over Fillmore Funding

Seth Hurwitz’s I.M.P. sued the administration of Montgomery County, Md., as part of a lawsuit against the State of Maryland, Sept. 2 alleging “illegal” funding of the Fillmore music hall under construction in Silver Spring.

At question, among others, is an agreement between the county and Lee Development Group that reportedly requires the administration to obtain county council approval to spend more than the already agreed-to $4 million on the project. However, a cost overrun of $3.2 million was made public Aug. 10.

The construction project was not to begin until the county council approved all budgetary appropriations, according to a statement, however a groundbreaking ceremony took place Sept. 2 after construction had already begun without such approval.

“The county Administration revealed [on] Aug. 31 the construction actually began secretly several days prior, before the groundbreaking, thereby precluding any budget review or interference by the County Council before the legal agreements finalized,” I.M.P. said in a statement announcing the suit.