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 recommended FY26 Operating Budget for the Urban Districts is $13,198,424, an increase of $416,381 or 3.26 percent from the FY25 Approved Budget of $12,782,043. Personnel Costs comprise 44.43 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 55.57 percent of the FY26 budget.

County Priority Outcomes

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

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

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 FY25 estimates reflect funding based on the FY25 approved budget. The FY26 and FY27 figures are performance targets based on the FY26 recommended budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY27.

Initiatives

• The Bethesda Urban District will produce a new public street art installation to downtown Bethesda by covering the intersection of Arlington Road and Bethesda Avenue. The art installation will enhance the pedestrian crossing, and the original design will be made by a local artist.
• The Bethesda Urban District will make modifications to the Metro Bus Bay that will include light features and art installations to the columns and a large vinyl wrap around the signal boxes.
• The Friendship Heights Urban District convenes a Youth Advisory Council, engaging high school students in urban design and placemaking initiatives. The group focuses on neighborhood history, creating third spaces, and pedestrian experience.
• The Friendship Heights Urban District installed two bright and colorful murals at the Wisconsin Circle Bus turnaround.
• The Wheaton Urban District is advancing a placemaking initiative to enhance public spaces and foster community engagement. Through strategic activations, including weekend pop-ups, these efforts create a dynamic and inclusive urban environment.
• As part of its commitment to Vision Zero, the Wheaton Urban District is enhancing pedestrian safety through targeted infrastructure upgrades, including the installation of improved LED lighting and accessibility enhancements throughout the district.

Innovations and Productivity Improvements

• The Urban Districts created a more efficient process for collecting Optional Method Development (OMD) fees by switching from an invoiced-based payment system to direct inclusion on property tax bills. The resulting action led to an increase in revenue for the County and cut down on man hours by ensuring future collections be processed through the capabilities of the Department of Finance.
• The Bethesda Urban District increased civic engagement by hosting National Night Out and the Drone as a First Responder Townhall. Future engagement efforts will focus on children and families through community partnerships for a summer event.
• The Friendship Heights Urban District convenes a business public safety program with regular cross jurisdictional security meetings for business and community members with Montgomery County Police Department, District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department, and Metro Transit police.
• The Friendship Heights Urban District enlivened vacant retail with gallery and retail pop ups, including a temporary bookstore at Wisconsin Place.
• The Wheaton Urban District implemented a seven-day-a-week program for litter collection, trash removal, and recycling services, ensuring a cleaner and more sustainable public space.
• The Silver Spring Urban District leads strategic marketing initiatives, including a comprehensive overhaul of the Urban District website, to improve engagement, accessibility, and functionality for diverse audiences. Additionally, integrated messaging across social media platforms and newsletters showcases local businesses and fosters a stronger connection with a broad group of stakeholders.
• The Silver Spring Urban District emphasizes interagency collaboration and coordination on key initiatives, notably leading efforts to update the Silver Spring Urban District's Streetscape Standards. Silver Spring Urban District works across a network of County agencies and service providers to enhance support for the unhoused community accessing resources at Progress Place.

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....