2021 June newsletter

A time for transformation!

Dear {{FirstName or 'Friend'}},

Summer has arrived, and as we emerge from the pandemic, it is a time for opportunity, engagement, and transformation.

Regional

Welcome Ayesha!

We are excited to welcome Ayesha Amsa to the CSG team as our new Communications and Fundraising Assistant! Ayesha joins us freshly graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Public Policy, and is a believer in communication as a catalyst for change. She is passionate about using her communications and policy skills to promote smart growth, sustainability, and equity.

Join the Vision Zero Summit

Amid a terrible increase in cyclist and pedestrian fatalities, WABA’s annual Vision Zero Summit is more important than ever.

Experts and advocates will gather via Zoom on June 24th from 9am-5pm. This year’s theme is Transportation Equity in Practice.

Participants will discuss the systems, tools, and processes that need to change to make our transportation network more equitable. Register here.

Help fight climate change

Our fight for a climate-friendly regional transportation plan continues. In April, 193 out of 229 public comments called for prioritizing climate and sustainable and equitable transportation projects, and removing destructive highway expansion projects from the draft Visualize 2045 plan. Attend TPB’s info session June 10, 6:00pm to add your support for a plan that slashes our emissions.

DC

A big win!

After years of advocacy, we are excited to announce that the DC Council voted to approve the updates to the Comprehensive Plan, which will allow for more housing and more affordable housing in DC, especially in the most exclusive areas of the city. Thank you to everyone who emailed their Councilmembers, and fought for a more inclusive DC. Because of you, we’re one step closer to a DC that can provide affordable housing for a range of incomes.

Record funding for affordable housing

On May 10th, we honored Mayor Muriel Bowser for her leadership on affordable housing. Last Monday, the Mayor built on her record, announcing an additional $400 million in funding for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, including an additional $150 million this year, and $250 million for FY 22. Thirty percent of the homes built using the fund will be targeted for residents at 0-30% of the area’s median family income.

Virginia

Vote in Virginia’s Primary

Early voting is underway for the Virginia primary, and June 8th is primary day. In Northern Virginia, all are Democratic primaries except for one Republican Delegate primary in Prince William County. Vote for candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and House of Delegates seats. Alexandria, Arlington, and Stafford also have very important races for city council and county board. Check out WTOP’s quick guide here.

Support the plan for West Falls Church Metro!

Transit-oriented communities reduce driving and emissions and need our support. Send an email and sign up to testify in support of the mixed-use redevelopment plan for the Fairfax County portion of West Falls Church Metro Station. Hearings are scheduled for the Fairfax County Planning Commission on June 16th and the Board of Supervisors on July 13th. Learn more by viewing our forum on the redevelopment.

Join the Safe Walking Summit

RSVP for the NVRC Safe Walking Summit on June 10th from 1:30pm-4pm! We’ll focus on improving walkability and safe streets in Virginia, including the work by Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets and Bike Walk RVA. We’ll also hear from Professor Ralph Buehler of Virginia Tech, Mike McGinn, Executive Director of America Walks and former Mayor of Seattle, and local leaders!

Transforming Lee Highway

In addition to renaming Lee Highway, Arlington County is seeking input on how best to create a more sustainable corridor. They are soliciting your feedback on preliminary scenarios developed for five neighborhood areas. The scenarios offer different land use mixes for diverse housing options, enhanced open space and stormwater management, safer streets, and better transit. Check out the plan and take the survey until June 20th here.

Maryland

Support Thrive 2050!

The public hearings for Montgomery County’s General Plan Thrive 2050, are coming up! County Council hearings will take place on June 17th and 29th at 7pm. Both hearings filled up quickly, but you can sign up for the waitlist here, or submit written testimony! New to writing testimony? You can download our advocacy packet, which will guide you through the process.

Rise Prince George's

We launched our Prince George’s grassroots advocacy group, Rise Prince George’s, last week with a great event featuring Angie Rodgers on the topic of housing and economic development in Prince George’s County. You can watch the meeting recording here and sign up for Rise PGC emails here.

Montgomery for All

Join us for two great Montgomery for All meetings! Special guest Councilmember Andrew Friedson will join us on June 24th at 7pm.

He serves on the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development

(PHED) Committee which will be leading the review of Thrive 2050. Register here! Next up -- we’re planning an in-person picnic on July 29th at 6pm, featuring Planning Commissioner Partap Verma. More details on masking/social distance requirements to come. Register here.

Say no to Maglev

The Baltimore to D.C. Maglev would have negative racial and social equity impacts and harm the natural environment. It would save little time given the cost, and investing in Amtrak and MARC improvements would better meet travel needs and serve far more people. We’ve joined with partners to tell Congress to reject further funding. Learn more and take action.

That's all for now! Stay tuned as we plan our summer event roster, which will hopefully include an in-person walking tour and maybe even a supporter happy hour!

Thanks for all you do, Stewart Schwartz

Executive Director Coalition for Smarter Growth

Images from angela n. (Flickr), Ayesha Amsa, WABA, Visualize 2045, D.C. Office of Planning, Cheryl Cort, VA Dept. of Elections, West Falls Church, Nova Region, Lee Highway Alliance, Montgomery County Planning, Cheryl Cort, Coalition for Smarter Growth, WTOP

Support a thriving D.C. region today by donating!

Visit us online at smartergrowth.net

Coalition for Smarter Growth

P.O. Box 73282

2000 14th Street NW

Washington, DC 20009

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