Delivering on our Proud Priorities
Dear Prince Georgians:
This week, we held several major events that show how we are continuing to deliver on our Proud Priorities. Proud Priorities represent our commitment to building and maintaining a 21st century County Government infrastructure that meets the wholistic needs of Prince Georgians. I’m excited to share these updates with you that include improvements to public transit, new facilities to support our public safety personnel, and a new library that is opening.
Prince George’s County Transit Transformation Initiative
On Monday, October 30, I joined our Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T), U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, and other state and local officials to announce the launch of the Prince George’s County Transit Transformation (PGC TT) Initiative. One of our Proud Priorities is “Enhanced Bus Service,” showing that our Administration is committed to increasing bus service on “TheBus” in high need areas to support mobility for essential workers and County residents. We are also transitioning the County’s transit fleet to clean-energy technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
The PGC TT initiative includes the successful launch of our County’s Zero Emission Bus Program and several transformative initiatives: the new Transit Vision Plan, Transit Forward, and Fall Service Changes. The four major initiatives of PGC TT will revolutionize the County’s public transit experience for riders and employees. The project is designed to optimize public travel by analyzing the current transit network, identifying gaps and deficiencies in service operations, and adapting to the ever-growing changes of a diverse community.
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Transit Vision Plan (TVP): Aims to comprehensively review the current transit system and provide recommendations to improve transit service throughout Prince George’s County over the next five years. The plan will be completed by Summer 2024.
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Transit Forward: A new and innovative approach analyzing the quality, effectiveness, and delivery of TheBus services. Using data and community feedback, we are moving transit forward by prioritizing the performance of the services we provide. The approach is designed to evaluate operational processes, transit facilities and amenities, and the customer experience.
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Zero-Emission Bus (ZEB): Prince Georgians deserve cleaner air, quieter buses, and improved energy infrastructure. We are excited to transition nearly 70% of the fleet to zero-emissions by 2035 and 100% by 2040. Transitioning to zero-emission requires the County to invest in green, resilient energy resources while updating facilities and infrastructure. ZEB ties into core values of equity and sustainability.
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Service Changes: The service change process allows DPW&T to assess transit services bi-annually. Following a data-focused approach and a deep look at transit operations, the Department will implement a major fall service change in December 2023. The transit service changes include maximized travel time savings and improved quality of service for customers.
Reliable, safe public transportation is a critical part of any growing community, which is why we’ve continued to focus on enhancing our local transit services. We are building a world-class, integrated, equitable public transit network that expands access to opportunity, reconnects communities, and makes public transit a more convenient and competitive way to navigate the County. Learn more about PGC TT on the DPW&T website here.
New Public Safety Facilities
On Monday, October 30, we celebrated three new facilities that are either completed or under construction to support our County’s public safety agencies. Public safety leaders cut the ribbon on two new facilities that are opening, a Canine Training Facility and Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) Training Facility, and broke ground on a new Special Operations Division Center.
These new facilities represent the latest step forward for one of our overall Proud Priorities, “Safe Neighborhoods.” Our Administration believes that the cornerstone of maintaining safe communities is an unyielding commitment to establishing and maintaining positive collaboration between County Government, law enforcement, and the communities they serve.
The Canine Training Facility and Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) Training Facility construction projects were overseen by the Prince George’s County Office of Central Services (OCS). Both facilities are a $17 million construction project completed by a County-Based Small Business, Nardi Construction. These new training facilities will help public safety personnel receive the training they need to keep residents safe.
The 10,000 square feet Canine Training Facility provides program support space, training, and canine housing for the Prince George’s Police Department. The 2,600 square feet Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) features a mile-long driving track, skills pad, and a slow skills pad for maneuvering in tight areas. The driving track is designed to meet the largest Fire/EMS vehicle in weight and length and will support multiple public safety agencies with driving training, as well as the Department of Public Works & Transportation.
The Special Operations Division Center is a new construction project that is currently underway, also overseen by the Office of Central Services. The facility is a $23 million project, and the selected contractor is a County-Based Small Business and Minority Business Enterprise, Warren Builds.
The new 50,000 square feet headquarters for police special operations will be used to house the Tactical Section, Traffic Section, Canine Section, Aviation Section, National Harbor Section, Special Services Section, Crossing Guard Unit, and Automated Enforcement Unit. The new facility ensures the Special Operations Division has the infrastructure and resources needed to effectively respond to situations. In addition, the location of the facility will reduce response times and enhance operational efficiency to respond rapidly to emergencies or threats.
New Bladensburg Branch Library Opening Soon
On Wednesday, November 1, we joined the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Bladensburg Branch Library. The new 22,834 square-foot library is part of PGCMLS’ efforts to provide award-winning sustainable, modern, and welcoming branches that serve as hubs for the community.
One of our overall Proud Priorities is “Youth Development.” In collaboration with local businesses, non-profits, community organizations, and athletic/academic programs, our Administration strives to provide our kids with well-rounded opportunities for growth. We are proud to open this new library that will provide new opportunities for children and adults in the Town of Bladensburg and beyond.
For so many years, the Bladensburg Library itself didn’t have a place of its own. The old structure was built in 1925, originally built as an elementary school building and then repurposed to serve as an office building. So, when the library moved in back in 1978, the building was already over 50 years old. Its original purpose wasn’t the best fit for what the library needed. It’s clear why the County needed to commit to the process to build a new library, and why we worked with our partners on the County Council to commit funding to this project several years ago.
Now, we have a new library three times the size of the old one. It has more than enough event and studying space. It has more than three times as many computers as the old branch and will have even more library staff. It is also the first PGCMLS facility that has been certified LEED Silver, complete with electric car charging stations and solar panels, so it is also a sustainable addition to the neighborhood.
The architecture and the nautical theme throughout the building tap into Bladensburg’s history of serving as an important port town. This building was not only made to be a library – it was made specifically to be Bladensburg’s library. Bladensburg Library finally has a place of its own, and we are excited that this new facility will serve as a community hub for so many residents for years to come.
I want to thank our residents for continuing to partner with us on these initiatives and so many other projects and priorities. From building new libraries, to making public transit more reliable and creating safe neighborhoods, we could not do this work without the support of Prince Georgians. We will continue to deliver on our promises and help build an even greater County for all our residents.
Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive
Prince George's County Transit Transformation
 County Executive Angela Alsobrooks joined staff from the Department of Public Works & Transportation to announce the launch of the Prince George's County Transit Transformation Initiative.
New Public Safety Facilities
 Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Public Safety and Homeland Security Barry Stanton and public safety leaders cut the ribbon on the new Canine Training Facility and Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) Training Facility, and broke ground on a new Special Operations Division Center.
Bladensburg Library Ribbon Cutting
 County Executive Angela Alsobrooks joined Memorial Library System leadership and staff, as well as County and municipal officials, to cut the ribbon on the new, state-of-the-art Bladensburg Branch Library.
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