Adrian for Laurel

Mayor Sydnor has declared Snow Emergency status effective starting at 1 p.m. today, Tuesday, February 11.

As described in the Executive Order 2025-03:

This storm is expected to bring a possible accumulation of snow of up to six (6) inches in the City of Laurel. Among other things, the possibility exists that the City may have to eliminate or restrict parking on certain City streets designated as snow emergency routes and other areas that have been identified as critical locations. This Executive Order shall remain in effect until further notice or until it has been amended or rescinded.

Below is a picture of the City’s snow emergency route, where cars should be moved from, to help keep critical paths clear (also available in PDF). And more on snow removal and snow emergency procedures can be found on DPW’s Snow Removal page.

Forecasts keep varying, so smart to keep an eye on and hopefully another beautiful winter event here for Laurel. ❄️☃️ And a big thanks to our Emergency Management, Department of Public Works, Police, and other Laurel teams that help us bridge us to the other side!

UPDATE 12 Feb 2025: The Snow Emergency order has been lifted effective today, Wednesday, at 11 a.m.

It happens only once every 10 years, so be sure to get your feedback and ideas into the Master Plan Committee to help inform and influence their planning process — The Community Survey opened February 4 and will close on February 17 at 5 p.m.

It covers questions like what you think the City should prioritize, which transportation options are important to enhance, what recreational options should be added, types of business & industries you’d like to see in town, what needs to be improved, and more. In total, shouldn’t take any more than 10 minutes, and likely a little less.

So don’t hesitate, click here to begin the survey and be a part of helping shape the City’s outlook for the next 10 years!

I haven’t yet had a chance to share from the latest edition of The Laurel Independent, but wanted to be sure to pass along a few clippings folks may find interesting:

• It was very much good news that residents of The Tiers of Laurel Lake Condominiums were able to remain in their homes after wide collaboration to shore up the egress points for the units.
• Laurel’s non-profit Friends of Tonga was chosen by Detriot Lions offensive tackle Giovanni Manu to be featured on his My Cause My Cleats design.
• PG County has been changing how their senior property tax credit works, with further developments still to come.
• 438 homes are expected to be constructed this year among three different developments in Laurel.
• Laurel resident Rishawna Gould publishes her first book honoring her mother’s and aunt’s memories through a tale of a children’s adventure.
• And more!

Check out articles on Streetcar Suburbs News website and a full digital, flippable version on their Streetcar Suburbs News Issuu page — Physical copies also come via mail and are available in many hotspots around town.🔥And consider donating in support of local journalism, it’s needed!

The story of Laurel in many ways traces its roots back to the Patuxent River – you might even say, Laurel “sprang” from the river.

The reason, is that the beginnings of our town started to take shape when a grist mill was setup in 1811 powered by the waters of the Patuxent. By 1845, it had bloomed to include a second mill (now processing cotton), and together, the mills employed more than 700 workers who now took up residence here with their families, putting “Laurel Factory” on the map. Many of our early churches were organized within that same decade, and finally in April of 1870, the city itself officially incorporated as just “Laurel”. (Which means we’re approaching our 155th birthday this April.)

So you can see how the River, the mills, and the dams powering that mill are really touchstones to Laurel’s birth and parts of its identity. Even today, you can make your way down to the parking lot at the west end of Main Street, get out and walk a couple hundred yards, and see the remnants of the dam still there, albeit crumbling.

Which is why it’s a great relief to share that last year the City received funds from both federal and Maryland grant efforts to shore up and enhance this critical reference point for our City, for our and future generations. Our appreciation goes out to our federal and State delegations for their support, and also a big champion of the project, past Councilman, Michael Leszcz. Included in the project will be preventing further erosion of the stone areas and making them safer, making the approach area and parking lot more accessible, and enhancing many of the historical markers to further tell the story of our town’s beginnings.

While the exact details and timing are still being worked out, if you’re curious to learn more, you can check out the draft engineering report with some of the areas needing attention and some of the ideas on what comes next!