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

• What's Happening at PLN?
  • Short Recap on PLN Forum with Maryland Secretary of Transportation Gregory Slater
• Purple Line in the News
• Features & Highlights
  • Purple Line Employment Opportunities
  • Community Advisory Team Meetings Scheduled for Spring/Summer 2021
• Construction News
  • Photos from Around the Corridor

Share This Newsletter

Please feel free to share this newsletter - no permission from us needed! You can always find a link to our newsletter on our Purple Line NOW website which makes it easy to share with your friends, neighbors, constituents, customers, and employees.

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT PLN?

Quick Overview of Last Night's Purple Line Update Forum

In the next edition of Purple Line NOW News, we will provide a longer overview of last night's information-packed forum with Maryland's Secretary of Transportation Greg Slater and we will include answers to many of the questions you submitted in advance for our terrific panel.

For now, we want to take a moment to thank the Secretary of Transportation and the terrific panelists who tackled all of your questions. We appreciate their time, dedication to and enthusiasm for the project, and their candid conversation about where the project stands and where it is headed. A big thank you to:

• The Honorable Gregory Slater, Maryland Secretary of Transportation
• Doran Bosso, CEO, Purple Line Transit Partners
• Maricela Cordova Garcia, Assoc. AIA, DBIA, LEED GA, ENV SP, Purple Line Implementation Manager, Montgomery County Department of Transportation
• Matthew W. Pollack, PE, PMP, Executive Director, Transit Development & Delivery for the Maryland Transit Administration
• Vic Weissberg, Major Projects Manager, Office of the Director, Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation

We had over 170 attendees signed up for the event to hear Secretary Slater bring us up-to-date on the status of the Purple Line, when we can expect to hear an announcement on the new builder, and what the State and the concessionaire are doing to move things ahead as the project gets back on track.

As we mentioned, a full overview is forthcoming, but for now, we give you a few tidbits to tide you over:

• Can you guess what the number #1 question was that we received from our audience? Bet you can! When is the Purple Line going to open? The new CEO of the Purple Line Transit Partners (the concessionaire), Doran Bosso said, "We want a reasonable, believable, well thought out, achievable schedule, so that the community … can plan with some degree of certainty when the Purple Line will be open.”
• Matthew W. Pollack, Executive Director, Transit Development & Delivery for the Maryland Transit Administration, asked folks to make sure to report any issues or problems they see along the construction route to [email protected] or call the alert numbers at 443-451-3706 / 443-451-3705 (Espanol).
• Did you know that Maryland is working to conduct a 50 year transit plan that pulls together the range of plans from across the state, including bus rapid transit plans and transit-oriented development? We didn't, either!
• The three building firms that were shortlisted back in March have been granted a few more weeks so that they can adequately complete their research before the final decision is made.

We'll leave you with this for today, Secretary Slater said, "Transportation can help redevelop communities, increase mobility, help put people back to work, and build that transportation network people will use for generations to come."

If you weren't able to join us last night and want to watch the event, you can do so at this link for the next few days: Purple Line NOW May 4, 2021 Webinar

Help Us Continue Our Work

Please consider a donation to Purple Line NOW so that we can continue to offer these events throughout the year free of charge. We do not host special event fundraisers, nor do we receive underwriting grants from any source, government (local or otherwise), nor are we a membership organization (we do not ask for annual dues). We rely solely on support from donors like YOU!

Remember, with your donation, your name (or your business name) will be listed on our website, as well as in event literature and signage for a year following your donation.

As always, a great big thank you to ALL OF OUR DONORS! We simply could not do our work without your support. If you don't see your name on our website link, you can donate by clicking the purple button below. 

Thank you, thank you!

THE PURPLE LINE IN THE NEWS

State says no to single-tracking Purple Line through downtown Bethesda (D. Schere, April 27, 2021, Bethesda Magazine)

Purple Line NOW hosts virtual forum to discuss project status (A. Truss-Williams, May 5, 2021, The Diamondback)

Purple Line design-build contractor selection moved to fall (B. Adhikusuma, May 5, 2021, Bethesda Magazine) 

FEATURES & HIGHLIGHTS

Purple Line Employment Opportunities

From time to time, and especially in the wake of the Purple Line's previous builder leaving the project, we are asked about whether the concessionaire or MDOT MTA is hiring for Purple Line construction jobs. We have more information for you from Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) Office of Transit Development and Delivery. If you are interested in knowing more, click on this handy reference about Purple Line job inquiries.

Community Advisory Team Meetings Are Scheduled for Spring/Summer 2021

MDOT MTA will be conducting Round 8 of the CAT meetings beginning this month and running through June. As always, we will bring you highlights, but you should definitely check out the published notes or video from those meetings if you live or work in one of these communities:

University Boulevard: May 19, 6:30 pm
Silver Spring: May 25, 6:30 pm
Riverdale/New Carrollton: June 3, 6:30 pm
Bethesda/Chevy Chase: June 8, 6:30 pm
Long Branch: June 15, 6:30 pm
College Park: June 22, 6:30 pm
Greater Lyttonsville/Woodside: June 29, 6:30 pm

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

Some photos from work happening around the Purple Line corridor from MDOT MTA:

STAY CONNECTED

Get 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.

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR PURPLE LINE NOW WEBINAR VIA ZOOM
Tuesday, May 4, 2021, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

WHAT: A Purple Line Status Update – Hosted by Purple Line NOW, Maryland Secretary of Transportation, Gregory Slater will provide remarks and bring us up-to-date on what's happening along the line, the timeline going forward, and other bits of interest to all of us who are eager to get to that first ride.

Secretary Slater's remarks will be followed by a panel discussion with key project leaders including:

Doran Bosso, CEO, Purple Line Transit Partners

Maricela Cordova, Purple Line Implementation Manager, Montgomery County Department of Transportation

Matthew Pollack, MDOT MTA Executive Director of Transit Development and Delivery

Victor Weissberg, Major Projects Manager, Office of the Director, Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation

HOW: All attendees, including the press, must register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_O29IFxjJS2qW7VJ9xbklng>

WHEN: Tonight – Tuesday, May 4, 2021, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm via Zoom

CONTACT: Christine Scott, Executive Director, [email protected], 865-300-7959

###

Purple Line NOW, a non-profit organization formed in 2002, advocates for the Purple Line on behalf of citizen, business, environmental, civic, minority and labor organizations.  Purple Line NOW's mission is to expand the mobility choices for the residents of the Washington Metropolitan area.  The organization has been instrumental moving the project forward by engaging elected officials and defending the project against detractors.  More than 100 organizations have gone on record in support of the Purple Line through Purple Line NOW! More information can be found at the Purple Line NOW! website: www.purplelinenow.com.

Speakers for Purple Line NOW Webinar
May 4, 2021, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

The Honorable Gregory Slater, Maryland Secretary of Transportation

Gregory Slater was nominated to serve as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) in December 2019 after more than two decades of public service. On February 24, 2020, he was confirmed as Secretary by the Senate of Maryland.

Mr. Slater’s career has been defined by dedication, performance-driven transportation, and collaborative and creative problem-solving. With 22 years of experience at the MDOT State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA), Mr. Slater worked his way up from where his career began in Plats and Survey operations to leadership positions on both the engineering and planning/programming offices to become Administrator in 2017.

His career growth includes nearly a decade as the MDOT SHA Director of Planning where he developed a keen understanding of the transportation system’s and MDOT’s critical role in the safety, accessibility, mobility, economic vitality, and quality of life for all Marylanders. Mr. Slater describes Maryland’s transportation network as a “system of systems” and knows how each mode of transportation must function safely and efficiently for residents and businesses to thrive. He promotes the integration of smart technology and performance data to help MDOT unlock solutions to some of Maryland’s greatest transportation challenges with a focus on building the foundation of a transportation system for the next generation to thrive.

As Secretary, Mr. Slater leads a transportation department with more than 10,000 employees and an operating budget of nearly $5.4 billion. He oversees every aspect of state transportation, from its highways, roadways, transit systems/services and toll facilities to motor vehicles, the BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport and the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore.

Mr. Slater is a lifelong Marylander, a 1997 graduate of Towson University and leads many committees and efforts to strengthen the industry within the Transportation Research Board and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

Panelists

Doran Bosso, CEO, Purple Line Transit Partners LLC

Doran joined the Purple Line team in 2019 and has worked closely with MDOT/MTA in reaching a solution to continue moving the Project forward. This year he transitioned to CEO of Purple Line Transit Partners, with his focus on the procurement of a new Design-Build Contractor and ultimately delivering the Purple Line to the local community. 

Prior to Purple Line, Doran spent more than 10 years working in pre-development, construction, and operation phases of transportation P3 projects in North America. Doran holds Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech, where he has also been recognized as an Outstanding Young Alumni by the Via Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Maricela Cordova Garcia, Assoc. AIA, DBIA, LEED GA, ENV SP, Purple Line Implementation Manager, Montgomery County Department of Transportation

Maricela is an accomplished Architect with over 20 years of professional experience on all aspects of the life cycle of design, architectural, engineering and construction projects for federal and local governments and private clients in the U.S. and Latin America ranging from $5 million to over $5 billion dollars.

She currently serves as the Purple Line Manager for Montgomery County, Maryland, overseeing the implementation of the P3 Purple Line light rail project with a contract value of over $5.8 billion and the associated County funded projects including the interface and coordination with the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), other State agencies such as State Highway Administration (SHA), the Concessionaire, Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) divisions and other County agencies, transit agencies like WMATA, CSXT and MARC, property owners and developers, and the Public.

Her expertise covers work in several industries including Infrastructure, Transportation, Mass Transit, Heavy Civil,

Water/Wastewater, Telecommunications, Industrial, Commercial, Institutional, Sports, Healthcare, Hospitality, and Residential. An avid reader, traveler, art junkie, yogi, stroller, foodie and cook, her favorite time is spent with her husband, family, and friends.

Matthew W. Pollack, PE, PMP, Executive Director, Transit Development & Delivery, Maryland Transit Administration

Matt Pollack joined MDOT MTA in June 2020 to lead the Purple Line project as Executive Director. A native of Montgomery County and current resident of Prince George’s County, Matt has more than 25 years of transit industry experience, primarily focused on project delivery and team building. He has worked on rail projects in Maryland, the District of Columbia, Pittsburgh, Charlotte, Durham, Atlanta, St. Louis, San Juan, and London. Matt is a Maryland Registered Professional Engineer, received his Master’s Degree from Johns Hopkins University and his Bachelor’s Degree from Carnegie Mellon University.

Victor Weissberg, Major Projects Manager, Office of the Director, Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation

Victor Weissberg is a senior professional with a diverse managerial portfolio in regulatory and transportation policy, local and regional planning, government relations, political affairs, labor issues, legislative and policy analysis, organizational development/training, and communications strategies. Currently he serves as the Major Projects Manager and Acting Chief of Taxi and Transit Administration for the Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation.  Weissberg was also appointed by the Prince George’s County Executive as the Purple Line Project Manager and is a long-standing Member of the Purple Line Now Board. He has also served as an Alternate Member of the Washington Council of Governments Transportation Planning Board, where he has been a strong advocate for comprehensive transportation solutions that look at how to better address equity, advancing transit and multi-modalism, transportation/land-use policies that connect people to places to enhance more sustainable, resilient, and equitable communities.

Mr. Weissberg has previously served as a transportation analyst for the Coalition of Northeastern Governors, government relations specialist for the Maryland Transit Administration and in a variety of appointed positions at the U.S. Department of Transportation and at the White House. He is a life-long resident of Silver Spring, Maryland.

Do You Have a Question for Our Forum Panelists?

We hope you have registered for the Purple Line Status Update forum on May 4 with Maryland's Secretary of Transportation, Gregory Slater. If not, there is still time to do so -- click the green button below to register now. As always, the event is free and open to the public and press, but you must register in advance as capacity is limited. We will be recording this event, so if we do fill all of our seats, the recording will be available to view at a later date. 

IMPORTANT: We are taking questions in advance for our terrific panel, so send yours in to [email protected] before Monday at noon and we will do our best to get as many answered as we can during Tuesday's event. If we run out of time, we will do our best to get you an answer post-event. All questions must be submitted in advance, so send 'em in!

Please plan to join us virtually next Tuesday, May 4 from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm. 

Join us to hear Maryland Secretary of Transportation, Gregory Slater, who will bring us up-to-date on what's happening along the line, the timeline going forward, and other bits of interest to all of us who are eager to get to that first ride.

Secretary Slater's remarks will be followed by a panel discussion with key project leaders including:

• Doran Bosso, CEO, Purple Line Transit Partners
• Maricela Cordova, Purple Line Implementation Manager, Montgomery County Department of Transportation
• Matthew Pollack, MDOT MTA Executive Director of Transit Development and Delivery
• Victor Weissberg, Major Projects Manager, Office of the Director, Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation

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

• What's Happening at PLN?
  • A Purple Line Update Forum -- Approaching Soon! Reserve Your Seat NOW!
• Purple Line in the News
• Features & Highlights
  • Urban Tree Program
• Construction News
  • Photos from Around the Corridor

Share This Newsletter

Please feel free to share this newsletter - no permission from us needed! You can always find a link to our newsletter on our Purple Line NOW website which makes it easy to share with your friends, neighbors, constituents, customers, and employees.

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT PLN?

Time is Running Out! Register for the May 4 Purple Line Update Meeting NOW!

Plan to join us on Tuesday, May 4, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm for the next forum in our Envisioning the Purple Line Series -- this one will be a status update of the whole project and we are busy working on a great slate of panelists for you!

As we announced last month, Maryland Secretary of Transportation, Gregory Slater, will be our keynote speaker, and will bring us up-to-date on what's happening along the line, the timeline going forward, and other bits of interest to all of us who are eager to get to that first ride. Secretary Slater's remarks will be followed by a panel discussion with key Purple Line leaders including Matthew Pollack, MDOT MTA Executive Director of Transit Development and Delivery, Maricela Cordova, Purple Line Implementation Manager, Montgomery County Department of Transportation, as well as representatives from Prince Georges County and other project leaders.

You know the ropes by now -- all of Purple Line NOW fora are free and open to the public and press, but you must register in advance as our capacity is limited. We will be recording this event, so if we do fill all of our seats, the recording will be available to view at a later date. But, don't wait! Click the green button below and register for this informative event! 

Please consider a donation to Purple Line NOW so that we can continue to offer these events throughout the year free of charge. We do not host special event fundraisers, nor do we receive underwriting grants from any source, government (local or otherwise), nor are we a membership organization (we do not ask for annual dues). We rely solely on support from donors like YOU!

Remember, with your donation, your name (or your business name) will be listed on our website, as well as in event literature and signage for a year following your donation.

As always, a great big thank you to ALL OF OUR DONORS! We simply could not do our work without your support. If you don't see your name on our website link, you can donate by clicking the purple button below. 

Thank you, thank you!

THE PURPLE LINE IN THE NEWS

Maryland businesses hurt by Purple Line construction eligible for $2.5 million in aid (K. Shaver, April 15, 2021, Washington Post)

Maryland lawmakers debate how forests lost to development should be replaced (K. Shaver, April 8, 2021, Washington Post)

Community members talk history of racism and urban renewal along Purple Line corridor (A. Truss-Williams, April 22, 2021, The Diamondback)

FEATURES & HIGHLIGHTS

Urban Tree Program

During the 2021 Maryland General Assembly, HB 80/SB 359, sponsored by Delegate Lorig Charoudian from Montgomery County and Senator Jim Rosepepe from Prince Georges County, is on its way to the Governor for his signature. Called the Urban Tree Program, once enacted, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) will be required to develop a program to replace trees that are removed to make way for state transportation projects. The Purple Line is specifically mentioned in the bill. MDOT will be required to consult with various stakeholders such as businesses, community representatives, local governments and residents. The goal of the legislation is to come up with a plan to replace trees from the area where they are removed rather than somewhere off-site. More information about the Urban Tree Program is available in the Fiscal Note. Purple Line NOW will be monitoring the implementation of this and as soon as more information is available, we will let you know how you can become engaged.

Purple Line-Related Events Around the Corridor

• Don't forget to register for the Purple Line NOW Status Update with a keynote from Maryland Secretary of Transportation, Gregory Slater on Thursday, May 4, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm.
• We understand that the Community Advisory Team meetings will resume later this spring. As soon as we have dates, we'll publish them in the newsletter.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

Some photos from work happening around the Purple Line corridor from MDOT MTA:

STAY CONNECTED

Get 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.