CSG News: It’s up to us

Wins for Climate, Fights for Safer Streets and Equity

Dear {{FirstName or 'Friend'}}, Rally with us for safe streets in Fairfax, help shape Ward 3, join the smart growth debate in Montgomery County, and more!

In good news, Senator Manchin agreed to support climate action in a bill called the Inflation Reduction Act. While good news, most analysts note that much of the action to reduce emissions will depend on local and state governments. That’s where CSG’s advocacy comes in!

We need to fight for walkable, bikeable, inclusive, and transit-oriented communities to reduce driving and emissions. We need to ensure that the billions of infrastructure dollars coming to the DMV go to projects that reduce driving and emissions. You can make this a reality by becoming a monthly CSG donor today!

Regional

Metro has a new General Manager!

WMATA’s incoming General Manager Randy Clarke started on July 25th, joining Metro as it faces many issues including safety, service, and budget. In the latest Dispatch newsletter from the MetroNow Coalition (CSG is a cofounder), we outline necessary reforms including: improving accountability, responsibility, safety, and service and addressing the fiscal cliff.

Intern with CSG this fall! (learn more & apply) Do you want to use your knack for communications, fundraising, and events to support CSG’s outreach? CSG is hiring a Communications & Fundraising Intern for Fall 2022. Interns are paid $15/hour.

D.C.

Keep Upper Beach Drive open for people! (take action) After 2+ years of an Upper Beach Drive closed to cars and open to people 7 days a week, the National Park Service (NPS) wants to bring the cars back on weekdays for 9 months of the year. We support summer closure to cars but we urge NPS to make this open to active transportation year around.

A new plan for Chevy Chase DC’s main street

Thanks to your advocacy, we helped win the approval of an inclusive Chevy Chase Small Area Plan! The plan includes more housing and affordable housing, while preserving and enhancing the Connecticut Avenue main street.

More opportunities for Ward 3 The DC Office of Planning is looking for your input! Here are two more great opportunities for supporting welldesigned mixed-use, mixed-income development.

1. Fill out the survey for the Connecticut Ave Development Guidelines (deadline: Aug 14) 2. Provide input for the Wisconsin Ave Development Framework for Tenleytown to Friendship Heights (deadline: Sep 11)

Maryland

Event: How to talk about smart growth (Aug 18 at 7pm, register) Join Montgomery for All and learn how to talk about smart growth to those who may not be familiar and those who might be open to joining our cause for more affordable, sustainable, and inclusive neighborhoods.

Thrive 2050 survey and focus groups (take the survey) Fill out this survey about Thrive 2050, Montgomery County’s update to their general plan and sign up to join the focus group! Input from the survey will be used to inform a racial equity and social justice (RESJ) review of Thrive and develop a new RESJ chapter for the plan.

Diverse Neighborhoods webinar (view the recording) Thank you to those who joined CSG and Montgomery for All for our Diverse Neighborhoods webinar. We discussed the latest research on housing needs, and policies and investments for racial and economic diversity, and how these best practices relate to Montgomery County's new general plan Thrive 2050.

Poll finds that smart growth is popular!

The latest Data for Progress poll of likely Montgomery County Democratic voters show significant support for smart growth issues! 76% support more bike/bus lanes, crosswalks, and narrower lanes to reduce speeding on dangerous roads, and 61% support new housing, including apartments and duplexes, in their neighborhoods.

Virginia

Pedestrian Safety Rally & Public Meeting (Aug 4 at 6:30pm, RSVP) Thanks to our work with CASA, both VDOT and Fairfax County have agreed to a public meeting to hear Culmore community requests for safety improvements in Bailey’s Crossroads. Join us for a rally at 6:30pm, followed by the meeting at 7pm, to demand urgent action to make Route 7 safer.

We won more transit, safe streets funding from NVTA (joint letter with local groups)

Thanks to your supportive comments, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority awarded funding to the Ballston Metro 2nd Entrance, West End Transitway in Alexandria, Richmond Hwy Bus Rapid Transit, and walk/bike projects.

We’re still concerned that 55% of the funding went to highway & arterial widening projects when we need to fight climate change.

Lower, safer speed limit recommended for Richmond Highway (learn more) VDOT is recommending lowering the speed limit to a safer 35mph between the Beltway and Jeff Todd Way. This is a major win for the community and CSG, and will make Richmond Highway safer for people walking, biking and using transit.

Parking Reimagined in Fairfax (learn more) Fairfax County’s update to its parking requirements is an opportunity to right-size parking needs and better support walkable, bikeable, transit-oriented communities. There are two virtual open houses in August where you can learn more and speak up for a more sustainable future.

Thanks for all you do,

Stewart Schwartz Executive Director Coalition for Smarter Growth

Images from Ted Eytan, Metro, CSG, Joe Flood, DC Office of Planning, DC Office of Planning, Joe Flood, Montgomery Office of Planning, Sightline Institute, Jada Thomas, Sonya Breehey, m01229, VDOT, Rich Renomeron

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

Visit us online at smartergrowth.net Coalition for Smarter Growth PO Box 73282 Washington, DC 20056 {{Disclaimer}} If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please (Unsubscribing is not supported in previews).