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Funding will help department develop a guide for future improvements to Main Street area sidewalks, landscaping, lighting, and the pedestrian experience
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WHEATON, Md. – The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), has been awarded a $100,000 Maryland Department of General Services FY27 Capital Grant to develop a streetscape improvement plan for downtown Damascus, a significant step toward creating a safer, more connected, and economically vibrant Main Street corridor.
The grant, which was part of MD State Senate Bill 283, was led by State Senator Katie Fry Hester (District 9) and supported by Senator Craig Zucker (District 14) and Montgomery County Councilmember Dawn Luedtke (Council District 7). The funding will enable Montgomery Planning to conduct community engagement, planning, transportation analysis, and design work to prepare for future streetscape improvements in the heart of Damascus. The Damascus Streetscape Improvement Plan will evaluate potential improvements such as wider sidewalks, landscaping, street trees, pedestrian lighting, seating areas, and bicycle accommodations. The project will emphasize accessibility, safety, and sustainability, helping to create a Main Street where residents and visitors will want to stay and gather and businesses can thrive. Learn more about the state’s Capital Grants and Loans process.
The state grant builds on the success of Montgomery Planning’s October 2024 Damascus Placemaking Festival, a community-driven initiative that engaged residents and local stakeholders in reimagining Main Street as a more welcoming and walkable destination. Combined with a recently awarded $50,000 Main Street Maryland grant administered by Montgomery County’s Upcounty Regional Services Center, the new funding represents continued investment in the community’s vision for downtown Damascus.
“The Damascus community told us they wanted a more vibrant, attractive, and people-focused Main Street, and they helped show what that could look like through the Damascus Placemaking Festival,” said Montgomery Planning Director Jason K. Sartori. “This grant is a direct result of that community energy and engagement. We are grateful to Senators Fry Hester and Zucker and Councilmember Luedtke for championing this effort and helping secure resources that will transform community ideas into a roadmap for lasting improvements along the Damascus Main Street corridor.”
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The Damascus Streetscape Improvement Plan will be prepared in conjunction with the department’s work on the upcoming Damascus Main Street Sector Plan Amendment, which is scheduled to kick off this fall. Together, the Damascus Streetscape Improvement Plan and the sector plan amendment will establish a coordinated vision for Damascus and guide future phasing, capital investment, and improvements to help with the revitalization of the downtown core. Planning staff will collaborate with the Montgomery County Department of Transportation, the Maryland State Highway Administration, and a consultant team to conduct community engagement and planning and design work to develop recommendations for streetscape, infrastructure, connectivity, and public space enhancements. The Montgomery County Planning Board is expected to consider approval of the Streetscape Improvement Plan as part of the sector plan amendment process.
Stay up to date with the latest news and information about the streetscape project and the plan by signing up for the Damascus e-letter.
Read the original article at montgomeryplanning
