Mission Statement

Urban Districts support and enhance the County's unincorporated downtowns (Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Wheaton) 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 FY24 Operating Budget for the Urban Districts is $11,547,185, an increase of $1,152,573 or 11.09 percent from the FY23 Approved Budget of $10,394,612. Personnel Costs comprise 43.55 percent of the budget for 62 full-time position(s) and one part-time position(s), and a total of 60.70 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 56.45 percent of the FY24 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 FY23 estimates reflect funding based on the FY23 approved budget. The FY24 and FY25 figures are performance targets based on the FY24 approved budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY25.

Initiatives

• The Bethesda Urban District is the first area in Montgomery County to provide street level recycling education signs. Bethesda Green designed the signs in collaboration with the Bethesda Urban Partnership (BUP) and the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection. Four signs will be installed at recycling bins in high traffic areas.
• The Bethesda Urban District, at the request of constituents, re-introduced a Veterans Day celebration at Veterans Park in partnership with the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Bethesda Urban Partnership.
• The Silver Spring Urban District worked closely with contractors to enhance tree beds southbound on Georgia Ave using feature beds for each block. Working with local ecologists and contractors, the District has developed a Spring 2023 planting that further enhances these planting areas using native plants that should improve the local ecosystem for native wildlife and insects. The effort is also intended to aid in the management and reduction of pest and invasive species.
• The Silver Spring Urban District transformed Ellsworth Place into a community gathering spot that featured Silver Spring's breweries. The initiative created a welcoming environment for families, local businesses, and visitors to mix and mingle while enjoying and bolstering the flagship live concert on Veterans Plaza.
• The Silver Spring Urban District reinitiated its Safe Escort program as a service to the community. This service, and several specialized trainings for District staff on de-escalation, affords the Safe Team of the Urban District the opportunity to serve as a vital resource and to assuage local concerns around safety and crime.

• The Wheaton Urban District worked to repair 250 square feet of curb and gutter, 2,400 square feet of sidewalk, and made repairs to the Marian Fryer Stage. Sidewalk improvements will continue into 2023 to promote greater pedestrian accessibility within the Wheaton Urban District.

• The Wheaton Urban District hosted eleven (11) events to promote local businesses through art and entertainment. FY2023 Summer Concerts Series will also feature the specially curated concerts by Chuck Levin in honor of the music store's 65^th anniversary.

Innovations and Productivity Improvements

• The Bethesda Urban District re-designed the Woodmont Streetery as a shared space for bike lanes, vehicular traffic, and public activity. The re-design solves multiple problems by using input from local residents and businesses to improve the use of space around community goals
• In an effort to reduce paper waste and increase staff productivity, the Silver Spring Urban District implemented a tablet-based technology service to track and enter the information exchanged for lockout and jumpstart services. The technology also allows staff the ability to handle, process, and create 311 calls for service in-real time.
• The Wheaton Urban District successfully implemented a one to one recycling receptacle ratio to improve recycling rates in Wheaton.
• The Wheaton Urban District converted fifty (50) percent of fleet vehicles from gas-powered to fully electric and will complete transition from gas-powered equipment to electric-powered equipment in FY24.
• The Wheaton Urban District partnered with One Montgomery Green in support of the Wheaton Sustainability Innovation Zone to build and maintain sustainable innovation ecosystems for climate and energy technologies.

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,...

  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....