Regional services directors tell council local priorities are public safety, business recovery and workforce programs

Council President Albertus convened a brown‑bag briefing with five Regional Services Center (RSC) directors who highlighted neighborhood priorities across Montgomery County, focusing on public safety, support for small businesses, pedestrian improvements and workforce development.

Pete Fostelman, speaking for Mid County, said downtown business development in Bethesda, Friendship Heights, White Flint and the Petrie District remains a priority, and he described the formation of the Pike District Partnership, a nonprofit hybrid intended to coordinate marketing and outreach. Fostelman also cited completion of lighting and sound work at Marion Bridal/Marion Fire Plaza (delayed by supply issues) and ongoing pedestrian‑safety work in Downtown Wheaton.

Jacob (RSC) described partnerships that improved CSX Tunnel lighting and noted the Newell Street shared‑streets proposal has drawn advocates for prolonged closure to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety and residents who want the street reopened because of noise and smoke concerns.

Giroux (East County) announced the hiring of a White Oak Planning Manager, Cicero Salas, and previewed two local developments: a White Oak Shopping Center project and a proposed White Oak Apartments described in the briefing as a preliminary site plan for 390 units with 49 MPDUs. He also summarized workforce programs — including plans to expand the Summer Rise program and grants to expand workforce centers — and said a mobile employment van procurement has been delayed.

Greg reported a recent spike in violent incidents in the Upcounty (Germantown and Gaithersburg) and described a town‑hall meeting with about 95 online participants; he credited council members and police leadership with community outreach that helped calm tensions and described HOC assistance that swiftly rehoused or moved vulnerable families after incidents.

Council members asked for follow‑up information and cross‑jurisdictional coordination. Council member Navarro asked whether successful East County approaches could be applied in other regions; Kasiri said RSC directors and county leadership meet monthly to share themes and coordinate work. Council Vice President Glass pressed for rehousing updates after a recent fire; Jacob said navigators have rehoused all but three to five households and that transportation and school access remain concerns.

The council closed the session noting plans to split future RSC presentations to allow longer exchanges with each director and to discuss aligning RSC districts with an upcoming change from five to seven council districts.