MoCo Invests in 72 Neighborhoods with Renew Montgomery

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) recently released a 2013 progress report on Renew Montgomery, a program that restores and replaces deteriorating infrastructure in mature neighborhoods. Since the program began in 1996, 72 neighborhoods have been upgraded with investments of more than $68 million.

“As Montgomery County looks to the future, we are also ensuring that the infrastructure in our mature neighborhoods is rebuilt and refurbished,” said Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett. “The great quality of life we enjoy in Montgomery County starts with quality neighborhoods. Since 1997, the Renew Montgomery program has been investing in preservation and renewal of our older communities.”

Renew Montgomery is a community-driven program that seeks early input from homeowner or civic association leaders who identify neighborhood priorities. Renew Montgomery neighborhoods can receive a variety of services, including repair or installation of curbs, gutters, and sidewalks; repair and maintenance of roads; and renovation of streets, roads and walkways to make them accessible and comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act. Other services are installation of traffic calming modifications and improved or new streetlights; repair or replacement of traffic signs and pavement markings; installation of Ride On bus stop amenities; tree maintenance and replacement plantings; storm drain improvements; and awarding neighborhood beautification grants to assist communities with landscaping and beautification projects. MCDOT typically spends several years completing projects in these established neighborhoods.

During the worst of the economic downturn in fiscal years 2010 and 2011, limited funding was available for Renew Montgomery refurbishment, and no new neighborhoods were added to the program. However, starting in fiscal year 2012, funding was restored for one new Renew Montgomery neighborhood, the Kingswell/Glenmont Forest community in Wheaton. The work for this project is extensive and will take several construction seasons to repair concrete; resurface roads; install new bus stop signs and pads; and install traffic calming measures on selected streets.

See more information about Renew Montgomery and the 2013 progress report.
For a hard copy of the report, or for more information about Renew Montgomery, call MCDOT’s Community Outreach Office at 240.777.7155.

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