Community leaders urge Montgomery County Council to restore and accelerate school, bridge and health projects in FY26 capital budget

Montgomery County community leaders on Thursday asked the County Council to restore or accelerate funding in the FY26 capital budget and the FY25–30 Capital Improvements Program, pressing the council to address delayed school renovations, a structurally deficient local bridge and equipment needs at the county's major hospital.

Mayor Monique Ashton of Rockville told the council the Twinbrook Elementary major capital project had $3,000,000 removed from out‑year allocations and that the change delays construction and completion. “This project is desperately needed. It's a matter of equity and inclusion,” Mayor Ashton said, citing accessibility and classroom deficiencies at the school. She also urged funding for Crown Farm High School's auditorium to preserve an August 2027 opening, called for planning and construction funds to be restored for Wootton High School and asked for fencing and a digital-marquee sign at Meadowhall Elementary after reported Chromebook thefts.

The parents' coalition and school cluster leaders made related pleas. Amy Ackerberg Hastings, central-area vice president for the MCC PTA, supported increases the county executive and MCPS propose — including a $28,000,000 allocation to complete Woodward High School's auditorium and interior work and a $20,000,000 boost for Crown High School's auditorium, classrooms and labs — and urged adding $4,500,000 to an HVAC repair and replacement line item to address longstanding system failures.

Transportation and neighborhood safety drew sharp requests from resident advocates. Robert Nelson, a Goshen resident and past chair of the Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board, described the Brink Road bridge over Great Seneca Creek as “a 54‑year‑old bridge” that is functionally obsolete and cited county inspection findings and heavy daily traffic. Nelson warned that a DOT proposal to close the bridge during construction would force motorists onto narrow detour roads and asked the council to prioritize replacing the span and to include the Mid‑County Highway (M‑83) in the CIP.

Local civic leaders from Olney sought acceptance of two state‑funded projects in the amendment package. Barbara Faustino, representing the Olney Civic Fund, asked the council to approve construction of a permanent Olney police satellite station and a community building in the town center — projects she said are fully funded by state grants and intended to replace long‑running temporary facilities.

Nonprofit and workforce testimony stressed health and training needs. Melissa Wiedenhofer, community health manager at WUMCO Help in Poolesville, asked the council to move up the Poolesville community center and clinic currently scheduled for 2029–2030 so the nonprofit can provide primary care, dental and mental‑health services locally. Aaron Shapiro, business development manager at Shapiro & Duncan, described construction workforce shortages and urged continued support for Montgomery College capital requests and apprenticeship pipelines that supply local employers.

Health‑care officials also sought county support. Dr. Neil Roy, chief medical officer at Shady Grove Medical Center, said the hospital — the county's only accredited thrombectomy (stroke) center — received a 2021 state award of $180,000,000 to rebuild its emergency department but now faces higher costs (he estimated $250–$280 million). He asked the council for $3,000,000 to buy critical imaging and ER equipment, saying the supply would improve stroke and emergency care countywide.

Throughout the hearing, speakers framed their requests as capacity and equity issues: improving school auditoriums and HVAC to serve students and communities, replacing aging infrastructure to avoid risky detours, and opening clinic space to make primary care and behavioral health more accessible in underserved areas. No formal votes or motions were taken during the public hearing; Council staff said committee work sessions on the FY26 capital budget and the FY25–30 CIP amendments would be scheduled through the end of March and the council would hold additional public hearings on related items that evening.

The public hearing record includes multiple written testimonies and budget requests submitted by MCPS, Montgomery College partners, municipal officials and nonprofit providers. The council closed the hearing and adjourned until 7 p.m., when additional public testimony on the same capital items was scheduled to continue.