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SS/cip96.pr 96-15 Contact: David Weaver, 301-217-6530
Robert Kendal, 301-217-2789
SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION FUNDS TOP
PRIORITIES IN DUNCAN'S SIX-YEAR
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM For Immediate Release: Jan. 16, 1996
Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today unveiled a
recommended Capital Improvements Program which would increase funding over the
next six years for school construction and support several key capital
projects which he said "will help to stimulate the local economy and boost the
County's tax base."
Duncan's fiscal year 1997-2002 capital budget also features a major new
initiative called "Renew Montgomery," which is aimed at revitalizing the
physical infrastructure of the County's older neighborhoods and includes
increased funding for curb, gutter and sidewalk repairs, street light
improvements and tree maintenance. In addition, the Executive's six-year plan
calls for accelerated completion of the County's fiber optic network, a
project critical to the successful operation of the County's transportation
management center, the school system's Global Access program and the police
and fire/rescue radio communications systems, among other services.
In transmitting his recommended CIP to the County Council today, Duncan
noted, "I have placed highest priority on capital investments that increase
public safety, create educational opportunity, improve the economic vitality
of our community and revitalize our neighborhoods." The Executive added that
while he is recommending increased funding in several key areas, overall
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DUNCAN UNVEILS SIX-YEAR CAPITAL BUDGET 2-2-2
expenditures in the program are within the spending affordability guidelines
established by the Council last October.
Duncan's overall recommended FY97-02 CIP is approximately $1.81 billion,
compared to $1.58 billion in the approved FY 96-01 CIP. The primary source of
this 14.8 percent increase is the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission's
rate-supported budget, which is slated to grow by more than $213 million,
predominantly for facility expansion and replacement efforts. The tax-
supported portion of the Executive's CIP totals $1.24 billion, compared to the
previous approved level of $1.18 billion.
TOP PRIORITY: SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION FUNDING
"School construction and modernization funding is my top priority,"
said Duncan, who is recommending a six-year capital program of $512.8 million
for Montgomery County Public School. "I am supporting much of the Board of
Education's request for significant improvements to the modernization program,
but I am doing so on the presumption of a major increase in State aid over the
six-year period. The Governor is aware of our school construction needs and
he has indicated that there will be a substantial increase in our share of
State school construction funding."
Duncan's recommended CIP restores the timetable for opening two new high
schools in the northeast and northwest portions of the county in September of
1998. Funding has also been earmarked for a new middle school to serve the
Magruder cluster; for the renovation of Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School; and
for added facilities which are needed as a result of the recent unification of
Takoma Park.
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DUNCAN UNVEILS SIX-YEAR CAPITAL BUDGET 3-3-3
"Unless offset by cuts elsewhere by the Board of Education, these
important initiatives will not be possible without the State aid increase,"
said Duncan, in his CIP transmittal letter. "I urge the Council, the Board of
Education, and local communities to join with me and our legislative
delegation to secure for our County the $90 million State aid increase over
six years that is required to fund this CIP.
"RENEW MONTGOMERY" INITIATIVE TARGETS NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION
In his CIP recommendations, Duncan announced an initiative which he said
"goes to the heart of our quality of life: how our neighborhoods look and
function." The effort would include stepped-up repair schedules for curbs,
gutters and sidewalks, and additional street light improvements, tree
maintenance and other public works. For the six-year period, Duncan is
recommending $31 million for these projects, an increase of $10.8 million over
the Approved FY96-01 CIP.
PROJECTS TO STRENGTHEN ECONOMY
"One of my highest priorities since taking office," said Duncan, "has
been to expand our tax base to help pay for the projects and services our
residents deserve." Duncan cited the importance of the County's proposed
conference center, in terms of economic development, and noted that
negotiations are progressing on a plan to construct the center on a site
adjacent to the White Flint Metro Station. The Executive said he expects to
recommend specific actions and funding options to the County Council and State
lawmakers shortly and that is likely he will amend his CIP to reflect those
recommendations.
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DUNCAN UNVEILS SIX-YEAR CAPITAL BUDGET 4-4-4
Duncan's CIP features several key projects to support downtown Silver
Spring redevelopment plans and commercial revitalization efforts in South
Silver Spring, Four Corners, Rockville, Wheaton and Kensington.
PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS
"The Council recently supported my proposal to build a new detention
center in Clarksburg," said Duncan. "This CIP makes specific recommendations
to implement that decision and to begin the planning for the reuse of the
Montgomery County Detention Center in Rockville."
Other public safety project highlights include a new planning initiative
to make comprehensive improvements to police facilities and an accelerated
renovation schedule for Kensington Fire and Rescue Station No. 5.
ROAD PROJECTS: COMPLETIONS AND NEW INITIATIVES
Several major road projects are slated for completion over the next few
years, including the construction of the Father Hurley Boulevard interchange
at I-270, the extension of MD Route 118 and the Middlebrook Road project, all
in Germantown. Two key east-west connector road projects are also earmarked
to receive construction funds: the Norbeck Road (MD Route 28) connector with
MD Route 198 and the East Randolph Road widening.
To alleviate traffic congestion and improve safety, the Executive is
proposing three new road projects in this CIP: Woodfield Road extended,
Germantown Road extended and the Briggs Chaney Road realignment.
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DUNCAN UNVEILS SIX-YEAR CAPITAL BUDGET 5-5-5
TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENTS
Duncan's CIP calls for significantly accelerating the completion of the
County's fiber-optic network, with a recommended $3.9 million in added funding
over the six-year period, including a $2.6 million increase in FY 97. The
project's total cost is approximately $19 million.
"To move traffic with few new roads, to educate our children through the
Global Access program, to assure our public safety officers of the best
possible communications support, and to seize major opportunities to reduce or
avoid future operating budget pressures, we must have the speed and capacity
of the fiber-optic backbone system as soon as possible," said Duncan, in his
transmittal memorandum to the Council.
RECREATION, PARKS AND LIBRARIES
The planned Germantown, East County and Rosemary Hills Recreation
Centers remain on schedule in this CIP, while the planned Fairland Center
would be delayed by about six months. Planning also would begin for a new
recreation center in Damascus.
"To replace the Wheaton-Glenmont pool, now in serious need of
rehabilitation," said Duncan, "I am very pleased to recommend the construction
of a major new swimming facility, similar to the one designed for Germantown,
on park land adjacent to the current pool."
The Executive is supporting the Parks Commission's bond-funded request
for parks system maintenance and improvements, but stressed that current
revenue constraints will not allow an increase in this source of funding. He
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DUNCAN UNVEILS SIX-YEAR CAPITAL BUDGET 6-6-6
also endorsed the proposed fee-supported funding of a new Fairland-Gunpowder
Park golf course and a nine-hole expansion of the Little Bennett Park course.
Similarly, he said he is encouraging the Parks Commission to expand its
efforts to develop fee-supported ice rinks.
The new Quince Orchard Library, scheduled to begin construction in FY
97, is slated for opening in FY 98. Another library project planned for the
latter period of the CIP is the renovation of Twinbrook Library.
THE BUDGET PROCESS
Duncan's recommended FY 97-02 Capital Improvements Program now goes to
the County Council for its review. Under the County charter, the County
Executive must submit a CIP each year by January 15 and an annual operating
budget by March 15. The Council will hold public hearings and work sessions
on both budgets, before approving final versions of each by June 1. The
fiscal year begins on July 1.
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