Mission Statement

Urban Districts support and enhance the County's unincorporated downtowns (Bethesda, Silver Spring, Wheaton, and Friendship Heights) as prosperous, livable urban centers by maintaining streetscape and its investments; 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 FY25 Operating Budget for the Urban Districts is $12,782,043, an increase of $1,234,858 or 10.69 percent from the FY24 Approved Budget of $11,547,185. Personnel Costs comprise 44.64 percent of the budget for 61 full-time position(s) and one part-time position(s), and a total of 59.70 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 55.36 percent of the FY25 budget.

County Priority Outcomes

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

• Thriving Youth and Families
• A Growing Economy
• A Greener County
• Safe Neighborhoods
• Effective, Sustainable Government

Program 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 FY24 estimates reflect funding based on the FY24 approved budget. The FY25 and FY26 figures are performance targets based on the FY25 approved budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY26.

Initiatives

• The Urban Districts created and convened the Urban District Equity Core team to drive forward and fully integrate equity principals into all Urban Districts services.
• Silver Spring Urban District and Wheaton Urban District will implement initiatives to address the increase of hazardous conditions in heavily damaged streetscape and roadside areas. The projects completed will improve walkability and make the areas safer for pedestrians.

• The Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District will provide a new public art element to downtown Bethesda by covering several signal boxes with a vinyl wrap based on original designs by local artists.

  
  

• The Bethesda Urban District converted 10 streetlights to energy-saving LED heads and painted the poles of 274 aging streetlights. This initiative continues the district's mission to reduce greenhouse emissions and will make downtown Bethesda a more vibrant and livable place.

• The Friendship Heights Urban District launched litter removal and street cleaning services along Wisconsin Avenue from Western to Oliver Streets, five days per week.

• The Friendship Heights Urban District continued to maintain its branded planter program and median planting and maintenance program along Wisconsin avenue, bringing color and vibrancy along the Wisconsin Avenue corridor.

  
  

Innovations and Productivity Improvements

• The Bethesda Urban District purchased and will install 10 new recycling containers on the street in Woodmont Triangle. This improvement furthers the district's goal of becoming a greener county by increasing the total number of recycling containers downtown.

• The Bethesda Urban District is creating an updated website which will feature downtown Bethesda's events, local businesses, information on the Bethesda Urban Partnership, and more.

• The Wheaton Urban District increased civic engagement by opening up the Marian Fryar Plaza, Wheaton Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Plaza, and Conference Room for utilization by the Community members.
• The Wheaton Urban District completed the transition from gasoline-powered maintenance and snow equipment to electric-powered maintenance snow equipment in FY24.
• The Wheaton Urban District activated a Community Access Grant to allow non-profits and public community groups to rent/utilize County resources and spaces within the Wheaton Urban District at a reduced rate.

• The Friendship Heights Urban District supports marketing and communications for local businesses along the corridor, providing social media outreach, business listings, and promotional activities to drive customers to retailers and restaurants.

• The Friendship Heights Urban District supports a business public safety program, convening regular meetings for business and community members with Montgomery County Police Department, District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department, and Metro Transit police.

  
  

• The Silver Spring Urban District developed a planting plan that incorporates the beauty and function of native plant material in tree beds on Georgia Avenue from Spring Street to East-West highway and flowerpots throughout many other areas of the district. Native species are important because they allow pollinators, such as birds and bees, to thrive and can naturally adapt to local growing conditions and quickly contribute to a successful ecosystem.

• The Silver Spring Urban District coordinated quarterly meetings of the 'marketing minds of Silver Spring' to discuss objectives for aligned and strategic marketing, offer networking opportunities, and provide training to participants. The Urban District will extend a social media, branding, and marketing series to local small businesses in partnership with the Business Center in the remainder of FY24.

Program Descriptions

  Promotion of Community and Business Activities

This program enhances the quality of life in the Urban Districts and surrounding communities by fostering 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...

  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....

  Enhanced Security and Ambassadorship

This program promotes clean, safe, and welcoming Urban Districts through uniformed aides. The program provides visual deterrents and/or trained observer documentation for theft, vandalism, and violations in the Silver Spring and Wheaton Urban Districts. Aides also act as ambassadors by providing information, directions, first aid and CPR, and roadside assistance...

  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....