Mission Statement

Urban Districts maintain and enhance the County's downtowns (Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Wheaton) as prosperous, livable urban centers by increasing maintenance of the streetscape and its amenities; providing additional public amenities such as plantings, seating, shelters, and works of art; promoting the commercial and residential interests of these areas; and programming cultural and community activities.

Budget Overview

The total approved FY19 Operating Budget for the Urban Districts is $9,156,405, an increase of $466,356 or 5.37 percent from the FY18 Approved Budget of $8,690,049. Personnel Costs comprise 44.91 percent of the budget for 60 full-time position(s) and one part-time position(s), and a total of 58.60 FTEs. Total FTEs may include seasonal or temporary positions and may also reflect workforce charged to or from other departments or funds. Operating Expenses account for the remaining 55.09 percent of the FY19 budget.

Linkage to County Result Areas

While this program area supports all eight of the County Result Areas, the following are emphasized:

• Healthy and Sustainable Neighborhoods
• A Responsive, Accountable County Government
• Safe Streets and Secure Neighborhoods
• Strong and Vibrant Economy
• Vital Living for All of Our Residents

Department Performance Measures

Performance measures for this department are included below (where applicable), with multi-program measures displayed at the front of this section and program-specific measures shown with the relevant program. The FY18 estimates reflect funding based on the FY18 approved budget. The FY19 and FY20 figures are performance targets based on the FY19 approved budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY20.

Accomplishments

• Launched, along with the Department of Parks, a new "Yappy Hour" dog park/happy hour social event to activate the Elm Street Park, through the Bethesda Urban Partnership.
  
• Supported over 70 events on Veterans Plaza in the Silver Spring Urban District (SSUD) by coordinating set-up before the event and clearing the venue afterwards.
  
• Established a "Cigarette Butt Litter Campaign" in the SSUD, providing cigarette smoking poles to businesses on Georgia Ave. and Fenton St. This campaign allows businesses to encourage patrons to use the smoking poles instead of cluttering the tree pits and sidewalks, saving considerable time and effort for SSUD staff.
  
• Recycled over three tons of material (plastic, glass, and aluminum bottles and cans) in the SSUD and delivered it to the Shady Grove Material Recovery Facility.
  
• The Maryland State Arts Council recognized the Wheaton Arts and Entertainment District in the Wheaton Urban District (WUD) with the 2017 Award for Outstanding Achievement. The award recognized Wheaton's efforts in highlighting its unique mix of artistic and cultural traditions, the establishment of new initiatives and partnerships, and its thoughtful approach to developing a strategic plan to guide Wheaton through a period of redevelopment in the coming years.
  
• Established a Wheaton Public Safety Task Force in the WUD, co-chaired by the Mid-County Regional Services Center Director and the Westfield Mall General Manager, and composed of public safety, business, and civic association representatives.
  

Program Descriptions

  Promotion of Community and Business Activities

This program enhances the quality of life in the Urban Districts and surrounding communities; fosters a strong, vibrant business climate within each Urban District; and creates a positive image and a sense of identity for the Districts. These goals are accomplished through sponsorship of community events that may include festivals,...

  Sidewalk Repair

This program provides for the removal and replacement of deteriorated concrete and brick walks and curbs in the Urban Districts....

  Streetscape Maintenance

This program provides maintenance of, and improvement to, the streetscape amenities within each Urban District. Various service levels include litter collection, sidewalk maintenance, trash receptacle service at least three times a week, mowing and snow removal as needed, lighting maintenance, maintenance of planted/landscaped areas, and street sweeping....

  Tree Maintenance

This program provides pruning, planting, fertilization, necessary spraying, replacement, watering, mulching, and tree base cleaning in the Urban Districts....

  Enhanced Security

This program provides safeguards against property theft, vandalism, and personal security in the Silver Spring and Wheaton Urban Districts. The goal of the program is to provide an enhanced level of protection and reduce the perception of crime through the use of the Safe Team as the eyes and ears...

  Administration

This program provides staff support for contract administration, the Urban District Advisory Committees, and for the administration of Urban District corporations. This program also provides for budget preparation and monitoring, payment authorization, records maintenance, and the Bethesda Circulator contract....