We are taking questions in advance for our panelists at tomorrow night's forum. You may submit questions even if you are unable to attend. We will get to as many questions as we can during the event and we will share the answers on our website and in a future newsletter, too!

Please send questions to Christine Scott, [email protected] TODAY!

FINAL REMINDER: If you haven't registered for your virtual seat at the forum (tomorrow night, Thursday, August 20, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm), please use the link below to register. All attendees must register in advance.

REGISTER HERE!

Come and listen to these terrific folks and be inspired by what is coming down the track for our community once we take that first Purple Line ride! 

We are pleased to announce that the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) will also be joining our line up of elected officials, planners, and business leaders from both counties. A big thank you to each of them!

• Casey Anderson, Chair, Montgomery County Planning Board
• Vicki Davis, President, Urban Atlantic Development
• The Honorable Andrew Friedson, Montgomery County Council Member (District 1)
• The Honorable Dannielle M. Glaros, Prince George’s County Council Member (District 3)
• Vernon G. Hartsock, PMP, Acting Project Director, Transit Development & Delivery, MTA
• Kipling Reynolds, AICP, Division Chief, Community Planning Prince George's County Planning Department
• John L. Ziegenhein, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Chevy Chase Land Company and Justin Kennell, Development Manager, Bozzuto Development Company

Please Help Us Continue These Events!

In order for us to provide these events for you at no cost, we rely on donations from the community. We appreciate all donations, small or large. The DONATE link below will take you directly to our donation page. Thank you, thank you for your help in making this event a success!

DONATE

**We have just added additional seats for the forum and they are filling quickly - please use the purple link below to register for the webinar.**

The next Purple Line NOW forum, Getting Ready for the First Purple Line Ride, will be held virtually via a Zoom Webinar on Thursday, August 20, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

We are pleased to announce that the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) will also be joining our line up of elected officials, planners, and business leaders from both counties. See their bios below - and a big thank you to each of them!

REGISTER HERE

After registering, you will receive a confirmation that your space is reserved, along with information about how to join the webinar on August 20. Media is welcome, but will need to register in advance at the link above.

IMPORTANT: All attendees, please send questions you may have for our panelists to: [email protected] today as we will not be able to take questions live on Thursday evening. We will get to as many questions as we can during the event and we will share the answers on our website and in a future newsletter, too!

Come and listen to these terrific folks - and be inspired by what is coming down the track for our community once we take that first Purple Line ride!

• Casey Anderson, Chair, Montgomery County Planning Board

Casey Anderson has served on the Montgomery County Planning Board since 2011 and was appointed Chair in 2014. He also serves as vice chair of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the bi-county agency established by state law that regulates real estate development, plans transportation infrastructure, and manages the park systems in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. Before he was named Chair of the Planning Board, Anderson founded a jury consulting firm after working as a congressional staffer, government relations executive, newspaper reporter, and lawyer in private practice. He has served on the boards of several non-profit organizations, including the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, the Committee for Montgomery, the Woodside Civic Association and the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board. Anderson holds undergraduate and law degrees from Georgetown University and a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University. He lives in Silver Spring with his wife Mary Boyle and their two children. He enjoys mountain biking, coaching competitive high school debate, and volunteering with the Boy Scouts of America.

• Vicki Davis, President, Urban Atlantic Development

Vicki Davis is responsible for managing the acquisition, planning, design, and implementation of all Urban Atlantic projects, and asset management of properties that the company owns and its Mid-City Community CDE investment portfolio. With over 30 years of experience in real estate development, she formerly served as Deputy Director of the Maryland Housing Fund at Maryland DHCD. Her experience also includes portfolio management for MNC Financial-South Charles Realty and multifamily development for Trammell Crow Residential. As President of Urban Atlantic Development, Ms. Davis has managed development of over $2 billion in real estate projects and asset managed over $4 billion in real estate investments. She has led the development of large scale, urban, mixed use communities, over 6,000 multifamily residential units and 600,000 commercial square, including eight HOPE VI mixed-use redevelopment projects, as well as transit-oriented TOD mixed-use projects. Ms. Davis holds an MBA in Finance from American University, an MS in Engineering & Construction Management from University of Texas, and a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland. She taught for 12 years in the Johns Hopkins Real Estate MBA program. She serves as Board member of the DC Building Industry Association; Board member of the Capitol Riverfront BID, and Board member of the ULI Terwilliger Center for Housing and Board member of Cultural DC.

• The Honorable Andrew Friedson, Montgomery County Council Member (District 1)

Andrew Friedson is the District 1 Councilmember representing western and southwestern Montgomery County from the D.C. line to the Frederick County border. He serves on the Planning, Housing, & Economic Development committee and the Government Operations & Fiscal Policy committee. A lifelong resident of District 1, Andrew grew up in Potomac, resides in Bethesda and is a graduate of the University of Maryland – College Park. In 2019 spearheaded landmark legislation to ensure all county bills include a thorough economic analysis and to strengthen financial oversight by requiring a regular review of spending by all county departments and agencies. A longtime volunteer, advocate, and leader with local charities and community-based organizations, Andrew has continued his passionate advocacy for nonprofits while on the Council and awarded the 2019 Phyllis Campbell Newsome Public Policy Leadership Award from the Center for Nonprofit Advancement. Prior to joining the Council, Andrew served as senior policy advisor and deputy chief of staff to the Comptroller of Maryland. Andrew has dedicated his career to making government more effective, efficient, and responsive by holding public agencies accountable and scrutinizing billions in government contracts, securing a dignified retirement for teachers and public servants, and improving customer service to make the public sector actually work for the public.

• The Honorable Dannielle M. Glaros, Prince George’s County Council Member (District 3)

Dannielle M. Glaros (D-District 3) was elected to her first four-year term on the Prince George’s County Council in the 2014 General Election and was re-elected in 2018. After serving for two years as Vice Chair of the Council, Glaros was elected by her colleagues to serve as Council Chair for the 2018 Legislative Year. She is the Chair of the Council’s Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee and a member of the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment (TIEE) Committee. Glaros serves as Vice Chair for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government’s Region Forward Coalition and is the Council’s representative on the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB). Glaros chairs the Prince George’s County Housing Opportunity for All Workgroup and is the co-chair of the Purple Line Corridor Coalition’s Purple Line Caucus.

• Vernon G. Hartsock, PMP, Acting Project Director, Transit Development & Delivery, MTA

Since March of 2020, Vernon Hartsock, as the Acting Project Director for Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) Transit Development & Delivery has been overseeing the design, construction, and commissioning of the Purple Line.  Vernon has served with the MTA for over 28 years, starting in Railcar and Systems Maintenance and joining the Office of Engineering in 1998. Previously, Vernon held the position of Chief Engineer overseeing the design and construction of MTA’s capital projects. Vernon has provided leadership over multiple major transit projects including Light Rail Double Track, Metro SCADA, Light Rail Vehicle Overhaul, Kirk Bus Maintenance Facility, and Metro New Fleet & Signals. Vernon is a published author and speaker and has previously held technical positions with CSX Transportation, General Instrument Corporation, Aircraft Armaments Industry (AAI) in addition to working for 5 years as an Adjunct Instructor and textbook author for Howard Community College. Vernon holds a BS. Degree in Computer Science & Information and a Masters Degree in Software Engineering from the University of Maryland University College. 

• John L. Ziegenhein, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Chevy Chase Land Company and Justin Kennell, Development Manager, Bozzuto Development Company

John L. Ziegenhein is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Chevy Chase Land Company, overseeing the company’s new development and two-million square feet of commercial and residential properties. John has 20 years of experience in real development and management, most recently as Chief Operating Officer at McCaffery, Inc. He is as a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, Inc., Urban Land Institute, and National Multifamily Housing Council. John currently serves on the Land Company’s Executive Committee and is active locally serving on the Board of the Arlington Food Assistance Center and Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing.

Justin Kennell, Development Manager, Bozzuto Development Company
Justin is responsible for managing the development activities from preliminary financing and entitlements through design and construction for mixed-use and multifamily projects throughout the Baltimore-Washington DC region. He is currently leading the development of Chevy Chase Lake, a two-phase project consisting of 466 apartments, 65 condos, and 95,000sf of retail located in Chevy Chase, MD. Justin is an active member of the Urban Land Institute. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Finance from Towson University and a Master of Science in Real Estate and Infrastructure from Johns Hopkins University.

We have also invited a representative from the Prince George’s County Planning Board to join us. 

Please Help Us Continue These Events!

In order for us to provide these events for you at no cost, we ask you to have a look at the generous donors who make our work possible and, if you can, take a moment to join them. The DONATE button below will take you directly to our donation page. 

FEATURED DONORS:

THE CHEVY CHASE LAND COMPANY
THE MALLOY AND SANDERS FAMILY
TINA, DON, AND JESSIE SLATER

SUPPORTING DONORS:

ATU Local 689
John Carroll
Nancy and Rob Soreng
Eric Talbot

ENGINEERS:

Anne Ambler and John Fay
Ralph Bennett
Steven Hurtt
John Robinson

CONDUCTORS:

Nick Brand
Bee and Brian Ditzler
Mary Lanigan
Christine Scott and JohnR Llewellyn

COMMUTERS:

Elizabeth Barbehenn, Tyler Christensen, Sean Dobson, Jonathan Elkind, Elaine Emling, Joseph Fainberg, Neil Greene, William Holleran, Melanie Isis, Ginanne Italiano, Greg Madden, Debbie and Ray Marquardt, Anita Morrison, Mark Posner, Frederick Schultz, Shirley Storms, Jerry Withers, College Park Mayor Patrick Wojahn

PASSENGERS:

Merrie Blocker, Steve Brigham, Cathy Carr, Kris Colby, Nick Finio, Patrick Flaherty, Bradley Green, David Helms, Alexandra Knox, Daniel Marcin, Judith Morenoff, Tom Pogue, Martin Posthumus, John Undeland, Julie Zavala

Purple Line NOW, as you know, has been around for decades and we work hard to stay on top of the news, answer your questions, publish a bi-weekly newsletter, and host these informative fora several times a year. We don’t hold special event fundraisers, but when our coffers get low, we ask those of you who can, to consider a donation to Purple Line NOW. We will publicize your name (or your organization’s name) on our website and at our events as a way of thanking you and letting the community know how much you care about seeing this project finally become a reality.

DONATE HERE

We appreciate all donations, small or large. Thank you, thank you for your help in making this event a success!

In today's edition of Purple Line NOW News, here's what you'll find:

• Reserve Your Spot NOW for Next Week's Next Purple Line NOW Forum!
• Judge Grants Stay - Purple Line Work to Continue
• Photos from Around the Purple Line Corridor

Stay Safe!

As we begin this last month of summer, we hope each of you are remaining healthy during this continuing pandemic, especially as we reopen our state. For us, it is good to see crews hard at work on the project, a sure sign that better days are to come. Please, stay safe!

PURPLE LINE NEWS AND EVENTS

Reserve Your Spot for August 20 Forum!

The next Purple Line NOW forum, Getting Ready for the First Purple Line Ride, will be held virtually via a Zoom Webinar on Thursday, August 20, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

We encourage you to register quickly for this educational and informative event. Although our events are always free and open to the public, Purple Line NOW operates on a slim (very slim!) budget, so we only have capacity to offer 100 spaces to those who register first. We currently are about two-thirds full, so if you haven't done so yet, please register today. If you have already reserved your space, but cannot make it, please let us know so we can give your spot to someone else. Thanks in advance!

Register by clicking this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EUcmEQEqTh-fSI9XAUE2UA

After registering, you will receive an email confirming your space, along with information about how to sign onto the webinar on the evening of August 20. Media is welcome, but they will need to register in advance at the link above.

As promised, we have been busy lining up an awesome slate of speakers for you for this bi-county forum, which will focus on both Prince George’s and Montgomery counties – and what each is doing to prepare for the day when we hop on board for that first Purple Line ride! 

Casey Anderson, Chair, Montgomery County Planning Board
Vicki Davis, President, Urban Atlantic Development
The Honorable Andrew Friedson, Montgomery County Council Member (District 1)
The Honorable Dannielle M. Glaros, Prince George’s County Council Member (District 3)
John L. Ziegenhein, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Chevy Chase Land Company and Justin Kennell, Development Manager, Bozzuto Development Company

We have also invited a representative from the Prince George’s County Planning Board to join us.

IMPORTANT NOTE: There will be time at the end of the webinar for audience questions, but we are asking you to submit them in advance by emailing Christine Scott at [email protected]. Questions that are of interest to the bi-county audience will be given preference as we try to get to as many of them as possible. 

Please Help Us Continue These Events!

In order for us to provide these events for you at no cost, we ask you to have a look at the generous donors who make our work possible and, if you can, take a moment to join them. The black DONATE button below will take you directly to our donation page. 

FEATURED DONORS
THE CHEVY CHASE LAND COMPANY
THE MALLOY AND SANDERS FAMILY
TINA, DON, AND JESSIE SLATER

SUPPORTING DONORS
ATU Local 689
John Carroll
Nancy and Rob Soreng
Eric Talbot

ENGINEERS
Anne Ambler and John Fay
Ralph Bennett
Steven Hurtt
John Robinson

CONDUCTORS
Nick Brand
Mary Lanigan
Christine Scott and JohnR Llewellyn

COMMUTERS
Elizabeth Barbehenn, Tyler Christensen, Sean Dobson, Jonathan Elkind, Elaine Emling, Joseph Fainberg, Neil Greene, William Holleran, Melanie Isis, Ginanne Italiano, Greg Madden, Debbie and Ray Marquardt, Anita Morrison, Mark Posner, Frederick Schultz, Shirley Storms, Jerry Withers, College Park Mayor Patrick Wojahn

PASSENGERS
Merrie Blocker, Steve Brigham, Cathy Carr, Kris Colby, Nick Finio, Patrick Flaherty, Bradley Green, David Helms, Alexandra Knox, Daniel Marcin, Judith Morenoff, Tom Pogue, Martin Posthumus, John Undeland, Julie Zavala

Purple Line NOW, as you know, has been around for decades and we work hard to stay on top of the news, answer your questions, publish a bi-weekly newsletter, and host these informative fora several times a year. We don’t hold special event fundraisers, but when our coffers get low, we ask those of you who can, to consider a donation to Purple Line NOW. We will publicize your name (or your organization’s name) on our website and at our events as a way of thanking you and letting the community know how much you care about seeing this project finally become a reality.

We appreciate all donations, small or large. The black DONATE button below will take you directly to our donation page. Thank you, thank you for your help in making this event a success! 

CONSTRUCTION NEWS TO KNOW

 Judge Grants Stay for Purple Line

You may have read yesterday’s news regarding ongoing negotiations between the Purple Line Transit Partners and MTA in the Washington Post (K. Shaver, Judge orders firms to continue building Purple Line, 11 August 2020) and on the website Maryland Matters (B. Dupuyt, Judge Grants State 35-Day Reprieve, 11 August 2020).

While this ruling does not resolve the larger issue between Maryland and the concessionaire, it does mitigate concerns about a slowdown in work and a loss of jobs due to the dispute. We have been heartened by the progress that has been made (see photos below), even as public statements have escalated on both sides. 

The best outcome remains for both parties to achieve a fair negotiated agreement. We hope that the Concessionaire and Maryland will use this stay to continue progress on construction as they finally resolve these longstanding disputes.

Additionally, the Washington Post weighed in late yesterday afternoon in a piece by their editorial board which highlights the need for Governor Hogan to be "point man for the state" to resolve the crisis. The conclusion lays out the stakes: "The rescue is worth it, for the same reason the Purple Line has always made sense as a lifeline for older neighborhoods and job hubs, and for commuters with no suburb-to-suburb transit options. No one can afford to let a project of this importance go to seed." (Editorial Board, The Purple Line is hanging by a thread. It should be rescued. 11 August 2020). 

Send Us Your Photos!

Especially now, when so many of us are at home, we long for photos of progress along the Purple Line corridor. If you are out on a socially-distanced walk or drive, snap a few shots of Purple Line progress you see and send them to us! Don't forget to include a name so we can give a photo credit. Send photographs to: [email protected]. Thanks! While we wait for yours, here are a few to tide you over.

River Road, South of College Metro. Photo Courtesy of Ralph Bennett

Campus Drive Under Metro Tracks at College Park Metro. Photo Courtesy of Ralph Bennett.

Stay Connected!

Make sure you are signed up for timely alerts from Purple Line NOW via our Twitter and Facebook pages, and at our website Purple Line NOW.

Please Join Us!

The next Purple Line NOW forum, Getting Ready for the First Purple Line Ride, will be held virtually via a Zoom Webinar on Thursday, August 20, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

We encourage you to register quickly for this educational and informative event. Although our events are always free and open to the public, Purple Line NOW operates on a slim (very slim!) budget, so we only have capacity to offer 100 spaces to those who register first. 

Click Here to Register!

After registering, you will receive a confirmation that your space is reserved, along with information about how to join the webinar on August 20.

As promised, we have been busy lining up an awesome slate of speakers for you for this bi-county forum, which will focus on both Prince George’s and Montgomery counties – and what each is doing to prepare for the day when we hop on board for that first Purple Line ride!

• Casey Anderson, Chair, Montgomery County Planning Board
• Vicki Davis, President, Urban Atlantic Development
• The Honorable Andrew Friedson, Montgomery County Council Member (District 1)
• The Honorable Dannielle M. Glaros, Prince George’s County Council Member (District 3)
• John L. Ziegenhein, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Chevy Chase Land Company and Justin Kennell, Development Manager, Bozzuto Development Company

We have also invited a representative from the Prince George’s County Planning Board to join us. There will be time at the end of the webinar for audience questions. Media is welcome, but will need to register in advance at the link above.

Please Help Us Continue These Events!

In order for us to provide these events for you at no cost, we ask you to have a look at the generous donors who make our work possible and, if you can, take a moment to join them. The purple DONATE button below will take you directly to our donation page. 

FEATURED DONORS:

THE CHEVY CHASE LAND COMPANY
THE MALLOY AND SANDERS FAMILY
TINA, DON, AND JESSIE SLATER

SUPPORTING DONORS:

ATU Local 689
John Carroll
Nancy and Rob Soreng
Eric Talbot

ENGINEERS:

Anne Ambler and John Fay
Ralph Bennett
Steven Hurtt
John Robinson

CONDUCTORS:

Nick Brand
Mary Lanigan
Christine Scott and JohnR Llewellyn

COMMUTERS:

Elizabeth Barbehenn, Tyler Christensen, Sean Dobson, Jonathan Elkind, Elaine Emling, Joseph Fainberg, Neil Greene, William Holleran, Melanie Isis, Ginanne Italiano, Greg Madden, Debbie and Ray Marquardt, Anita Morrison, Mark Posner, Frederick Schultz, Shirley Storms, Jerry Withers, College Park Mayor Patrick Wojahn

PASSENGERS:

Merrie Blocker, Steve Brigham, Cathy Carr, Kris Colby, Nick Finio, Patrick Flaherty, Bradley Green, David Helms, Alexandra Knox, Daniel Marcin, Judith Morenoff, Tom Pogue, Martin Posthumus, John Undeland, Julie Zavala

Purple Line NOW, as you know, has been around for decades and we work hard to stay on top of the news, answer your questions, publish a bi-weekly newsletter, and host these informative fora several times a year. We don’t hold special event fundraisers, but when our coffers get low, we ask those of you who can, to consider a donation to Purple Line NOW. We will publicize your name (or your organization’s name) on our website and at our events as a way of thanking you and letting the community know how much you care about seeing this project finally become a reality.

DONATE