Friends,
Among my top priorities since joining the Council a little over a year ago has been to make Wheaton/Glenmont a top arts and entertainment destination in the region. The arts not only nourish our souls, reflect beauty, and challenge us to think in new ways, but they also can play a critical role in propelling our local economy forward through new jobs, placemaking, and tourism dollars.
We already have such an amazing and diverse arts community in Wheaton/Glenmont. It is beyond ready to take the next step.
To that end, I am happy to report some exciting updates:
Wheaton A&E Board forms 501(c)(3) and seeks members for nominating committee
Last fall, local artists, community and business leaders joined forces with Councilmember Natali Fani-González – and with the strong support of County Executive Marc Elrich – to reconstitute Wheaton Arts and Entertainment (A&E) Board. After months of diligent, thoughtful work, the A&E Board, just a couple weeks ago, began the process of creating a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to nurture, promote and celebrate the rich global heritage of arts and entertainment experiences that make Wheaton such a jewel in our region. Among other things, the new non-profit organization will allow the board to raise funds in support of Arts and Entertainment efforts in the Wheaton/Glenmont area.
Last week, the A&E Board issued a press release announcing the formation of a nominating committee to identify members for the board of the new non-profit organization. If you or someone you know might be interested in applying for the nominating committee, please apply by April 12 by 5 p.m. via email to Councilmember.Fani-Gonzalez@MontgomeryCountyMD.Gov. A member of the nominating committee cannot be considered for the board of directors of the 501(c)(3).
April 24 Community Conversation on Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center
I have previously shared with you the exciting news that the County will be constructing a state-of-the-art arts and cultural center, combined with an affordable housing project, in Wheaton in the next couple of years.
If you would like to learn more about the project and offer feedback, please consider attending an upcoming community conversation at the Wheaton Library. Details below:
Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center Community Conversation (with the Department of General Services)
Location: Wheaton Library/Recreation Center (Social Hall) 11701 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902
Date: Wednesday, April 24 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
RSVP Here
There are Asian markets, Indian restaurants, and languages from Vietnamese to Portuguese can be overheard walking along the sidewalks.
“Everything that you can imagine, we have it,” Fani-Gonzalez told WTOP in a recent interview.
But there is one thing Wheaton doesn’t have — yet.
— WTOP “Homes for people and the arts: Wheaton’s Arts and Cultural Center gets more support” | Read the Article »
Ok, the next two items aren’t necessarily arts-related, but they are too important to wait until the next newsletter.
Public hearings on next year’s budget
After receiving the County Executive’s recommendations a little over a week ago, the Council will now begin its work in earnest on next year’s budget. That begins with hearing from you and other members of the public!
The Council will have public hearings for the budget on April 8, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. and April 9, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. The deadline to sign up to speak is April 5 at 9 a.m. You may sign up here.
Planning ahead for the upcoming Red Line Closures
Recently, WMATA announced that they will be closing 5 Red Line Stations (Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring, and Takoma) for capital improvement work this summer. The Purple Line will take advantage of this closure to advance the construction of the mezzanine at the Silver Spring Station.
When I learned of this and started hearing concerns from affected commuters, I worked with my colleagues Evan Glass, Kate Stewart, and Andrew Friedson as well as the County Executive to send a letter to WMATA and the Maryland Department of Transportation. We urged them to prioritize the speed and mobility of shuttle buses for affected commuters, including a bus-only lane on Georgia Ave (MD 97). You can read the letter here and media coverage here.
Natali Fani-González
Councilmember, District 6
Chair, Economic Development Committee