22 March newsletter

We also have lots of news about housing, transit, and ways to be involved!

Dear {{FirstName or 'Friend'}}, Thank you to everyone who participated in our electric scooter raffle by becoming a monthly donor to CSG! Congratulations to Ron Basumallik who won the scooter and thank you to King Scooters!

Regional

Bus network redesign forum (view the recording) The MetroNow Coalition, CSG and Northern Virginia Chamber held the second of MetroNow's Bus Champions Roundtables. With WMATA soon to begin Regional Bus Network Redesign project, we heard from Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson about the success of the new DASHbus network, and from consultants Lora Byala (Foursquare ITP) and Scudder Wagg (Jarrett Walker and Associates) on best practices.

Metro budget Following public hearings this month, the WMATA board is finalizing its FY23 budget. Check out testimony from DC Surface Transit (DCST) and from MetroNow. CSG is a member of both coalitions. Our region depends on Metro, and CSG urges elected officials, the Board, General Manager, and unions to work together to restore the system to safe, frequent operations.

D.C.

Dance Loft on 14th We’re fighting for affordable housing and the Dance Loft community arts non-profit. This mixed-use project is a partnership between Dance Loft and Heleos, a green affordable housing developer. They plan 101 apartments: 66 affordable units and 16 much needed 3-bedroom units for low income families. It’s facing opposition, so we hope you’ll join us to support the project which will be heard by the Zoning Commission on May 5th.

Removing parking requirements for affordable housing (take action) Good news! The DC Zoning Commission is considering: 1) eliminating parking requirements for affordable housing projects, and 2) further reducing parking in exchange for more affordable units. This could lower building costs and increase affordable housing in DC!

Maryland

The new Silver Spring Plan (take action) Silver Spring is arguably our region’s most diverse and vibrant transit-oriented downtown. The Silver Spring Downtown and Adjacent Communities Plan considers how it should grow and improve over the next 20 years. We're asking the County Council to ensure the plan prioritizes affordability, diversity, climate resiliency, business development, and more.

Montgomery County Council Candidate Forum (register) On March 8, we're partnering with the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) on a virtual candidate forum for County Council district seats. Issues include: Vision Zero, buses (service, fares), protected bike lanes, trails, parking, Purple Line and WMATA, policing and traffic enforcement.

Montgomery for All March Meeting (register) Join us on March 24 at 6pm for a happy hour at the World of Beer! Missed our February meeting? We heard from Zachary Marks of the Housing Opportunities Commission and James Hedrick of Rockville Housing Enterprises on making public and social housing happen in Montgomery County. View the recording.

RISE Prince George’s March Meeting (RSVP)

Join RISE Prince George’s on March 7 to discuss our ongoing election platform outreach with County Council candidates. Prince George’s County residents who support our smart growth agenda are invited to join our briefings: fill out the form or email Cheryl

Virginia

Safe Streets for Bailey’s Crossroads (view our webpage) We’ve launched our campaign for safer streets in Bailey’s Crossroads! The community is home to a large immigrant population where many residents rely on walking, biking, and the bus. Yet, the main roads are unsafe because of high-speed traffic and dangerous road design. We’re partnering with CASA and the community, as well as FABB and Families for Safe Streets, to win safer streets.

Pentagon City Sector Plan Passes!

Thanks to the support of the YIMBY community, the Arlington Board voted unanimously after a 7 hour hearing (!) for the Pentagon City Sector Plan. The plan will provide much needed housing close to jobs in a walkable, bike-friendly community close to Metro.

A win for affordable housing in Alexandria We testified in support of Wesley Housing’s ParcView II – 224 affordable units with Capital Bikeshare and good access to bus service, parks and trails. It will provide critically needed committed affordable housing. The Council unanimously approved the project. Staff reports.

Transit funding at risk (take action) The Virginia General Assembly is proposing cutting the sales tax on groceries (bill SB451), which CSG agrees would benefit many, especially low-income families. But it would also mean a big loss for transportation: transit, rail, and road maintenance. We’re urging the General Assembly to identify permanent sources for replacement funds.

Thanks for all you do,

Stewart Schwartz Executive Director Coalition for Smarter Growth

Images from Ayesha Amsa, Matthew Friedman, Bradley Joines, Heleos, Daniel Kelly, Montgomery Planning Board, Dan Reed, Bethesda Magazine, Coalition for Smarter Growth, City of Arlington, Wesley Housing, Hampton Roads Transit

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