Purple Line Gets Good News On Federal Funding — President Barack Obama’s budget, released Tuesday, included the Purple Line on a list of seven transit projects nationwide that the Federal Transit Administration recommends for a full funding grant agreement. That could lead to the $900 million in federal money state transportation planners are seeking for the $2.2. billion light rail. Obama’s budget also included $100 million in federal money for the Purple Line in the next fiscal year. The total amount of federal funding recommended for the system will be released Wednesday. The FTA still needs to issue its record of decision on the state’s Finale Environmental Impact Statement. [Washington Post]
Council Adopts New Zoning Ordinance — The County Council on Tuesday adopted a new zoning ordinance, not before one more debate on rules for the county’s agricultural reserve. After six months of committee discussions, Councilmember Nancy Floreen said she was “mystified” as to why the Council would spend more time debating the issue. “This is what makes our community frustrated with us,” Floreen said. The adopted version of the zoning ordinance will be viewable at the Zoning Montgomery website by Friday. It will be available for review until the Council approves the District Map Amendment that would effectively put it into action later this year. [The Gazette] [County Council]
Construction Set To Start On Downtown Apartment — Kettler, the developer behind the 101-unit apartment project at 7535 Old Georgetown Rd., has closed on a land and construction loan an dis ready to demolish the existing United Bank building and start construction. The building will be called “Element 28.” [Washington Business Journal]
Tiger Woods Tournament Could Be At Congressional Every Other Year — This is the last year Congressional Country Club is set to host Tiger Woods’ PGA Tour event. According to a member of the club, the club’s board of governors proposed bringing the event back every other year, beginning in 2016. The membership vote on the proposal is due on March 31. The event, known as the AT&T National, also has a new title sponsor — Quicken Loans. The tournament moved to a course near Philadelphia in 2010 and 2011 as Congressional geared up for and hosted the 2011 U.S. Open. [Golf Channel]
Flickr photo by ehpien
