Dear Purple Line NOW News Readers,

We promise to return to our regularly scheduled news reporting in our next issue, but today we dedicate this newsletter to two important and timely topics:

1) A Purple Line NOW Appeal

Today we are making an appeal to those of you who have not contributed to Purple Line NOW in a while and to those who have never donated to our organization. For those of you who are new to us, you may not realize that Purple Line NOW does not do any special event fundraising, nor are we underwritten by any organization or company. Everything we do -- all the advocacy, newsletters, educational webinars -- is supported by our donors. We operate on a tiny budget (under $20,000 a year) and when our coffers get low, we ask our supporters to consider a donation to us.

To that end, we wanted to reach out to you with a quick update on the status of the Purple Line project and to ask for your support.

As you know, Purple Line NOW was established to promote the approval and funding of the Purple Line project. After more than 20 years of advocacy, we were thrilled when the project was finally approved. We had worked tirelessly to ensure that the Purple Line would become a reality, and we are proud of our efforts.

However, we have learned that since construction began, the challenges to completing the project have continued. Nevertheless, we remain convinced that the Purple Line will have an incredibly positive impact on the quality of life for commuters and travelers in our region. We believe that the Purple Line will provide a vital connection between neighborhoods, universities, and job centers, and will help to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.

Despite the challenges, we here at Purple Line NOW have continued to work as a conduit between the community and builders so that questions and concerns can be addressed. We have advocated for a final product that is a real asset for the communities it will serve. We have also been working to raise awareness of the benefits of the Purple Line and to build support for the project.

However, we cannot do this work alone. We rely on the support of donors like you to help us continue our efforts. We are asking for your help once again to ensure that the Purple Line project is completed as planned, and that it serves the needs of our community.

Your donation will help us continue our advocacy efforts and ensure the Purple Line project is a success.

If you are a previous donor, thank you for your past gift to us and for your consideration of continuing your support into the future. If you are not sure whether you contributed to us in the past year, check out our current donors on our website. (All donors are listed for a year following their donation.)

If you are new to us, welcome! Please contact us with any questions you may have. 

The "DONATE" button below will take you directly to the donation page. Thank you in advance for your consideration and for all you do for our community!

2) The departure of MDOT MTA Executive Director for the Purple Line Matt Pollack

We send loads of appreciation and a fond farewell to a friend of Purple Line NOW, MDOT MTA Executive Director for the Purple Line, Matt Pollack. Many of you may have met Matt during a Community Advisory Team meeting, at one of PLN's own forums, or as a part of other community outreach endeavors. He was also readily available to answer many of the questions you sent our way regarding construction issues and project plans.

Matt is leaving his post after three years and Veronica Battisti, a spokesperson for the project, has indicated MTA will be conducting a nationwide search for his successor. We wish Matt every success and best wishes as he boards the next train to a new adventure!

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.

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

• What's Happening at PLN?
  • Why We Ask for Support
• Happening Along the Purple Line Corridor
  
  • Assistance for Small Businesses Along Purple Line Corridor
  • Long Time Purple Line Advocates Gain New Positions in House
• Construction Updates and Project Features
  
  • Items That Caught Our Eye This Month
  • Photos 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?

Why We Ask for Support Each Month

Purple Line NOW was originally established to promote the approval and funding of the Purple Line project. We were so pleased when the project was finally approved after more than 20 years of advocacy and relieved the Purple Line would finally become a reality.

We have all learned since construction began that the challenges to complete the project have continued. We at Purple Line NOW understand that despite those challenges, the Purple Line will have an incredibly positive impact on the quality of life for commuters and travelers in our region. We have continued to work as a conduit between the community and builders so that questions and concerns can be addressed and to advocate for a final product that is a real asset for the communities it will serve.

To do that, we rely on your continued financial support.

We are so appreciative of each and every dollar that comes to us by way of a donation. We are a nonprofit organization that relies on donors to continue its mission and we cannot exist without your generosity each and every year. Your donation will be noted on our website and in all printed materials and at all events for a year following your contribution to Purple Line NOW. Curious as to when you last made a donation to us? You can check out our website or shoot us an email. If you don't see your name listed, we hope you will consider donating to our organization when you are able. Thank you, thank you.

HAPPENING ALONG THE PURPLE LINE CORRIDOR

Assistance for Small Businesses Along Purple Line Corridor

The Latino Economic Development Center provides assistance to small business along the alignment by providing help with applying for grants and loans. You can find more information on their website. Montgomery County provides grants to local businesses directly impacted by the construction of the Purple Line Light Rail Project and have suffered revenue losses during the construction period. Please see the website for details.

Long Time Purple Line Advocates Gain New Positions in House

Purple Line NOW congratulates long time Purple Line advocates Delegate Marc Korman (D) and Delegate David Moon (D) on their new House of Delegates leadership positions. Del. Korman will become the new Chair of the House Environment and Transportation committee. He has long been doing the committee work on the effective delivery of the Purple Line and is responsible for the bi-monthly progress reports. Del. Moon will become the new majority leader, the third most powerful position in the House. Congratulations to both on their new positions! More information about their appointments can be found in Maryland Matters. (Gaines D., "Speaker announces shakeup in House leadership."  Maryland Matters, 17 May 2023.)

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES & PROJECT FEATURES

Items that Caught Our Eye This Month

Road Closures for UMD Campus

In a tweet yesterday, the Purple Line team said that beginning today (May 25) crews will implement the first phase of closing Campus Drive on the University of Maryland campus, from Regents Drive to Union Lane. The work will continue over the summer. You can find more details here.

Blasting Continues in Bethesda

An additional notice from the Purple Line team at MDOT MTA reports that their crews will resume blasting and excavation work in the future elevator shaft to WMATA's Red Line in Bethesda on Elm Street at Wisconsin Avenue. Work will not impact traffic and will occur weekdays and weekends. Warning horns will sound before each blast. 

Photos From Around the Corridor

Photo Courtesy: MDOT MTA

Photo Courtesy: 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.

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

• What's Happening at PLN?
  • Why We Ask for Support
• Happening Along the Purple Line Corridor
  
  • Affordable Housing Along the Purple Line Corridor
• Construction Updates and Project Features
  
  • Items That Caught Our Eye This Month
  • Photos 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?

 Why We Ask for Support Each Month

Purple Line NOW was originally established to promote the approval and funding of the Purple Line project. We were so pleased when the project was finally approved after more than 20 years of advocacy and relieved the Purple Line would finally become a reality.

We have all learned since construction began that the challenges to complete the project have continued. We at Purple Line NOW understand that despite those challenges, the Purple Line will have an incredibly positive impact on the quality of life for commuters and travelers in our region. We have continued to work as a conduit between the community and builders so that questions and concerns can be addressed and to advocate for a final product that is a real asset for the communities it will serve.

To do that, we rely on your continued financial support.

We are so appreciative of each and every dollar that comes to us by way of a donation. We are a nonprofit organization that relies on donors to continue its mission and we cannot exist without your generosity each and every year. Your donation will be noted on our website and in all printed materials and at all events for a year following your contribution to Purple Line NOW. Curious as to when you last made a donation to us? You can check out our website or shoot us an email. If you don't see your name listed, we hope you will consider donating to our organization when you are able. Thank you, thank you.

HAPPENING ALONG THE PURPLE LINE CORRIDOR

Affordable Housing Along the Purple Line Corridor

Learn more about the work being done to preserve and produce affordable housing along the Purple Line Corridor in a Center for Community Investment Case Study.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES & PROJECT FEATURES

Items that Caught Our Eye This Month

Blasting in Bethesda

As we reported in the last newsletter, blasting has resumed in Bethesda. Here are two videos highlighting what the blasting looks (and sounds!) like:

• Purple Line underground blast rings loud in downtown Bethesda | FOX 5 DC
• Purple Line Update: Bethesda Blasting

Concrete Pour Coming

From Maryland's Purple Line team:

Photos From Around the Corridor

Photo Courtesy: MDOT MTA

Photo Courtesy: MDOT MTA

Photo Courtesy: 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.

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

• What's Happening at PLN?
  • Why We Ask for Support
  • Montgomery County Planning Board News
• Happening Along the Purple Line Corridor
  
  • Purple Line Corridor Coalition’s Housing Actions
• Construction Updates and Project Features
  
  • Fitch Assessment of Purple Line Schedule
  • Other Items That Caught Our Eye
  • Photos 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?

 Why We Ask for Support Each Month

Purple Line NOW was originally established to promote the approval and funding of the Purple Line project. We were so pleased when the project was finally approved after more than 20 years of advocacy and relieved the Purple Line would finally become a reality.

We have all learned since construction began that the challenges to complete the project have continued. We at Purple Line NOW understand that despite those challenges, the Purple Line will have an incredibly positive impact on the quality of life for commuters and travelers in our region. We have continued to work as a conduit between the community and builders so that questions and concerns can be addressed and to advocate for a final product that is a real asset for the communities it will serve.

To do that, we rely on your continued financial support.

We are so appreciative of each and every dollar that comes to us by way of a donation. We are a nonprofit organization that relies on donors to continue its mission and we cannot exist without your generosity each and every year. Your donation will be noted on our website and in all printed materials and at all events for a year following your contribution to Purple Line NOW. Curious as to when you last made a donation to us? You can check out our website or shoot us an email. If you don't see your name listed, we hope you will consider donating to our organization when you are able. Thank you, thank you.

Montgomery County Planning Board News

You may have been tracking a story regarding the turmoil that led to the departure of the entire Montgomery County Planning Board last year. As you may know, the Planning Boards for both Montgomery and Prince George's counties have had an important role to play in the building of the Purple Line, in particular working on connections beyond the right-of-way. This past week, the results of an independent investigation into the Montgomery County Planning Board's work environment exonerated the previous chair of the Planning Board, Casey Anderson. Mr. Anderson had worked tirelessly to prepare for the Purple Line during his tenure as Planning Board chair and we wish him all the best going forward. The new Planning Board will continue its critical role to prepare for the coming Purple Line.

HAPPENING ALONG THE PURPLE LINE CORRIDOR

Share Thoughts on Purple Line Corridor Coalition’s Housing Actions

The Purple Line Corridor Coalition (PLCC) includes a group of partners across Prince George's and Montgomery Counties. Our shared mission is to support racially and economically equitable growth near the Purple Line transit line. PLCC welcomes your thoughts on its draft Housing Action Plan: 2023–2027. This plan sets the big-picture direction for the coalition’s housing work. The coalition is updating its original housing action plan to ensure it reflects the needs and aspirations of Purple Line residents and communities today. The coalition is accepting comments on its draft Housing Action Plan: 2023–2027 until Sunday, April 30, 2023 by email or web form. Click here to learn more about the plan and to access the comment form in English & Spanish.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES & PROJECT FEATURES

Fitch Assessment of Purple Line Schedule

It may be worth reading the Fitch assessment of the Purple Line's schedule, as part of their rating of the bonds offered by the concessionaire:

“[O]wner utility adjustments are experiencing delays and causing projected [ revenue service availability] date to be 258 days behind. This is a moving target as it excludes agreed upon mitigation measures that could recover the schedule to just 81 days delay, but also does not account for future delays until all utilities are relocated. Though a formal change order has yet to be executed, parties are working towards it and indicate that interim schedule relief may be granted despite a desire to not have to continuously revise the project schedule.

Fitch views positively the working relationship to-date between owner, PLTP [Purple Line Transit Partners], and the [design-build joint venture], both on the ground and at the executive level, which appears to be collaborative and with aligned incentives. In contrast to the past, the owner issued a directive letter to PLTP instructing it to carry out several mitigation strategies and included a price and payment schedule for the works that the owner will fund while a formal change order is enacted. Fitch believes all parties will continue to work together to resolve issues as they arise in a timely manner.”

This is not the official assessment from either the State of Maryland or the Concessionaire, but is a positive sign that the tiger teams mentioned at the Purple Line Community Advisory Team meetings are succeeding in finding ways to mitigate sources of delay and that leadership on each side and the mechanisms to foster good communication are all doing their part.

Other Items that Caught Our Eye

• We know that construction woes through UMD campus have been fierce, but this article gives six reasons why it may all be worth it!
• Happy to see that blasting has resumed again in Bethesda.

Photos From Around the Corridor

Photo Courtesy: MDOT MTA

Photo Courtesy: MDOT MTA

Photo Courtesy: 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.