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

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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:

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