Community Invited to November Meetings for University Boulevard Corridor Plan

Plan centered on three-mile stretch of University Boulevard between Wheaton and I-495

WHEATON, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, will hold two community open houses for the University Boulevard Corridor Plan on November 2 and November 7. At the open houses, anyone who lives, works, or has an interest in the future of University Boulevard, between Wheaton and I-495, are welcome to share their views. RSVPs are encouraged.

Planning staff will begin both events with a presentation about the planning process to date and share information about the existing conditions in plan area. Following the presentation, the community is invited to engage in small group conversations about specific subjects in the plan area, including the environment, parks, trails, and transportation to explore how the corridor may develop as a green “complete street” with wider sidewalks, comfortable public transportation stops, and safe access for all. The project team will also discuss coordination with community members and stakeholders, including the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) and Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT).

The feedback received at the open houses will help to inform the plan’s scope of work which is scheduled to be presented to the Planning Board at a future meeting.

RSVP for the November 2 in-person open house  (7-9 p.m.) at Montgomery Blair High School (cafeteria), 51 University Blvd East, Silver Spring, MD 20901.

RSVP for the November 7 virtual open house  (7-9 p.m.).

To request translation assistance or accessibility accommodations, please RSVP or contact Nkosi Yearwood at [email protected] or 301-495-1332 by October 27, 2022.

About the University Boulevard Corridor Plan

Building on major Montgomery County initiatives—including the 2013 Countywide Transit Corridors Functional Master Plan, Thrive Montgomery 2050 and Vision Zero— Montgomery Planning is initiating the University Boulevard Corridor (UBC) Plan and beginning its public engagement.

This comprehensive planning effort will be centered on a key three-mile stretch of University Boulevard (MD 193) between Wheaton Forest Local Park and I-495. Throughout this process, Montgomery Planning will strive to understand community needs as they pertain to traffic safety, regional connectivity, environmental sustainability, and economic development. The team will also explore potential opportunities for new infill development, bikeways, and future bus rapid transit (BRT). This project will also consider the potential to create a complete street —a boulevard with wider sidewalks, comfortable public transportation stops and safe access.

Conversations and collaborations with the community are central to the success of this process. Montgomery Planning looks forward to exploring how to create a sense of place, community, and safety for residents, students, employees, and visitors with stakeholders throughout the planning process.

How to get involved

To receive the latest news and information on the plan, please sign up for its eletter. For questions or comments, contact lead planner contact Nkosi Yearwood at [email protected] or 301-495-1332.