Category Archives: News

Category for general news items.

Takoma Park Receives Grant for Level 3 Fast Vehicle Charging Unit

The Electric Vehicle Institute (EVI) has included Takoma Park as a grant recipient for a Level 3 fast charging unit. The fast charging unit, located in the parking lot behind the Community Center, is already being used regularly by members of our community.

In addition to the Level 3, there are 14 Level 2 stations throughout The City which are utilized by residents and visitors alike.

Takoma Park is committed to creating an environmentally sustainable community and this addition helps our City get one step closer to making that goal a reality.

5th Annual Celebrate Takoma Festival

Join us as we celebrate the vibrant cultural diversity that the City of Takoma Park and its residents have to offer at the 5th Annual Celebrate Takoma Festival on Saturday, May 20 on Maple Avenue  from 4:00-7:00 p.m.

This family festival block party held in front of the Community Center will feature arts, crafts, entertainment, music, games and food from all over the world.  Takoma Park is the true definition of a “melting pot” with residents form Ethiopia, El Salvador, and Guatemala, just to name a few. This event offers a social benefit to Takoma Park and brings the community together to celebrate the diversity the City is known for.

Celebrate Takoma fosters community pride, teaches people new things and strengthens relationships unbound by a resident’s place of birth. We hope to see you there!

For more information please contact John Webster at 301-891-7225 or JohnW@takomaparkmd.gov.

 

Maryland Energy Administration Awards Takoma Park $90,000 Energy Efficiency Grant

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) has granted the City of Takoma Park a $90,000 grant for low-to-moderate income home energy efficiency renovations. The grant will assist approximately 10 energy efficient makeovers for qualifying low-to-moderate income homeowners within the City.

Upon completion of the required application, eligible applicants receive a free home energy audit and assessment. The assessment will identify which energy efficiency improvements would make the greatest impact. Possible energy upgrades include insulation improvements, draft reduction, heating and cooling equipment, appliances, and more. The average savings on electric and gas bills for participants is expected to be over $500 annually.

Residents can download an application or pick one up from Public Works at 31 Oswego Avenue M-F 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Grants will be awarded on a first come first served basis until funds are exhausted.

Takoma Park is committed to achieving an environmentally sustainable community, and this award puts the City one step closer in obtaining that goal.

For questions, please contact:
Gina Mathias
Sustainability Manager
Department of Public Works
ginam@takomaparkmd.gov
301-891-7623

Annual Arbor Day Celebration

You are invited to join the City of Takoma Park for the annual Arbor Day celebration and tree seedling give-a-way on Saturday, April 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Takoma Park Library grounds.

Participants have their choice of 6 varieties of seedlings including: bald cypress, white oak, sycamore, red bud, persimmon and hazelnut.

The event is open to everyone and members of the Tree Commission will be present to answer questions about trees and their care. We hope to see you there!

“Press Releash:” Takoma Park Dog Park Opening

The City of Takoma Park is excited to announce the opening of the Takoma Park Dog Park on Sunday, April 2 at 1:30 p.m.

We invite residents and their four-legged furry friends to join Mayor Kate Stewart and Councilmember Terry Seamens to the grand opening event. Special thanks to Takoma Dogs who the City has worked with closely throughout the location selection and design process.

The Dog Park is located at the end of Darwin Avenue just above Takoma-Piney Branch Park.

Mayor Stewart And President Pollard Urge Participation In Community Conversation

Takoma Park Mayor Kate Stewart and Montgomery College President DeRionne Pollard today urged residents of Silver Spring and Takoma Park, members of the College community, and other interested parties to participate in the upcoming series of three community conversations about the Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus. The first meeting will be on Tuesday, March 21 in the Takoma Park Community Center, located at 7500 Maple Avenue. A reception with refreshments begins at 7 PM, with the program scheduled for 7:30 – 9:00 PM.

“We encourage everyone who cares about the campus, including access to quality facilities and instruction, and what the campus will look like in the coming years, to attend these gatherings,” the two leaders said. “The College has proposed significant construction to replace or modernize existing buildings on the East Campus within Takoma Park, and these meetings will give participants an opportunity to learn more about the proposals, provide feedback and suggest changes.”

“Initiating this public dialogue will help ensure that the Takoma Park community along with the array of campus stakeholders have a meaningful opportunity to consult with the College on its building and renovation plans,” Stewart and Pollard continued, “with the goal of both meeting MC’s academic needs and preserving the residential character of the neighborhood.”

As part of its Facilities Master Plan, MC has proposed the replacement or renovation of most of the older campus buildings on the East Campus within Takoma Park. The next project is the replacement of out-of-date facilities with the construction of a new math-science building on Fenton Street.

In addition to March 21, community conversations are scheduled for May 9 and June 6. All the meetings will take place at 7:30 PM in the Takoma Park Community Center, and will be led by a facilitator.  Each event date is a separate important part of the community dialogue, and the public is invited to participate in all three.

Takoma Park City Manager Accepts Police Chief’s Resignation

Today Takoma Park City Manager Suzanne Ludlow accepted the resignation of Police Chief Alan Goldberg for personal reasons. Goldberg began working for the City of Takoma Park in October 2012 after retiring from a long career with the Montgomery County Police Department. He has served a total of 39 years in law enforcement.

Ludlow noted that, during Chief Goldberg’s tenure, many improvements were made in the Takoma Park Police Department, particularly concerning crime analysis and sharing information with the public. The recently presented Annual Report of the Police Department for 2016 showed the lowest level of crime in many years in most categories. Ludlow also noted the positive reception to Chief Goldberg’s public statement after the recent Presidential election concerning the role of local police in immigration matters. Takoma Park is a Sanctuary City.

Ludlow will be conducting a national search for a new chief for the City of Takoma Park. In the interim, the three captains in the Police Department, Captain Dan Frishkorn, Captain Tyrone Collington and Captain Richard Bowers, will rotate Acting Chief responsibilities, beginning with Captain Frishkorn. The Department remains committed to excellence and will continue to protect the public safety of all residents, regardless of background.

The City of Takoma Park has a council/manager form of government in which the council establishes policies and hires a city manager to oversee day to day operations, including hiring of staff. The Takoma Park Police Department is a full service police department, with 42 sworn officers and 30 civilian employees. After consulting with Council, staff and community members on desired characteristics of a new Police Chief, a job announcement for the position will be posted.

For questions or more information please contact Jeremy Dickey, Media Specialist at 301-891-7236 or jeremyd@takomaparkmd.gov.

First-Time Home Buyers Seminar

Are you ready to buy a home, but not sure where to start? You can take the first step by attending this free first-time home buyer seminar led by the Latino Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), a HUD certified housing organization.

You will learn the entire home buying process from how to obtain a mortgage to understanding the terms of the loan. Upon completion of the session, you will receive a Certification of Completion, allowing you access to low interest loans.

First-Time Home Buyer Seminar
Saturday, May 6, 2017
8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912

Class size is limited and pre-registration is required. To register, please contact the Housing & Community Development Department at (301) 891-7119 or email us at housing@takomaparkmd.gov. Continental breakfast and light lunch will be provided.

Call for Letters of Inquiry for Community Grants Program

The Takoma Park Grants Review Committee is now accepting letters of inquiry from organizations seeking funding through the City of Takoma Park’s FY 2018 Community Grants Program.

The Community Grants Program is designed to provide financial support for specific projects occurring between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018. These projects and events must improve residents’ qualify of life by providing greater access and opportunities for participation in the arts and sciences.

A letter of inquiry is required for all interested applicants. To be considered for funding, letters of inquiry must be submitted electronically to grants@takomaparkmd.gov on or before 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 13, 2017.

Organizations are strongly encouraged to review the Community Grants Program guidelines found on the City’s website prior to submitting the letter of inquiry. For a full listing of requirements and necessary documents, please visit the City of Takoma Park’s website.

For question or more information, please contact the City of Takoma Park’s Housing and Community Development Department at 301.891.7118 or grants@takomaparkmd.gov.