The county is planning to build a recreation and aquatic center in downtown Silver Spring. Photo of the Olney Swim Center from Wikimedia Commons.
Several Silver Spring projects are included in the FY2018 capital budget and amendments to the six-year FY2017-2022 Capital Improvements Program released this week by County Executive Isiah Leggett.
Highlighting the budget release is $55.3 million to develop a “South County Regional Recreation and Aquatic Center,” which would be co-located with the Housing Opportunity Commission’s Elizabeth Square affordable housing project in downtown Silver Spring, according to a press release.
Phase I of this project would include an aquatic center and is targeted to open in late 2019. Phase II would include community and senior recreation centers with a gymnasium and multi-purpose activity rooms and a planned opening in late 2021.
The proposed budget also includes a funding schedule for the Silver Spring Green Trail totally $783,000 from FY2017-FY2022.
This shared-use path would be 8-10 feet wide and run on the north side of Wayne Avenue from Fenton Street to the Sligo Creek trail. The county intends to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Maryland Transit Administration to incorporate the trail’s design and construction into the Purple Line construction, according to county documents.
Leggett will hold a FY2018 Operating Budget forum at 7 p.m. Jan. 25 in Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veteran’s Plaza.