CSG Newsletter November 2023

11/1/23, 2:11 PM

Preview - 23 November newsletter

Smart Growth Social, Metro funding, and speaking up!

Dear {{FirstName or 'Friend'}}, We had a record turnout for Smart Growth Social with two special guests – David Zipper and WMATA General Manager Randy Clarke. It was a great party and chance to catch up, but we also called everyone to action to help us win the funding Metro needs. We'll need your help to speak up for transit-oriented communities, more housing, safer streets, and reforming state transportation priorities. See below for the opportunities to speak up in your community! https://email.everyaction.com/EmailMessage/PreviewMessage/a27359ed-5a77-ee11-b004-00224832eb73

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11/1/23, 2:11 PM

Preview - 23 November newsletter

Regional Help us win the funding Metro needs! (take action) WMATA is facing a $750 million operating shortfall in FY25 due to a suspension of some local funding, inflation, and lower ridership.

WMATA has found one-time cost savings but our local and state governments need to step up to fill the gap and provide dedicated funding. Without action, we’ll see massive service cuts, reduced access to jobs, and more traffic and pollution.

Volunteer with CSG! (sign up) Are you interested in taking your advocacy to the next level by volunteering for CSG? Sign up to be one of our Smart Growth Watchdogs tracking important local land use, housing, and transportation hearings or volunteer to help us out at our walking tours and social events.

D.C. Support the upper Wisconsin Avenue Development Framework (comment by Nov 15) An exciting draft plan will increase housing and create a more pedestrian-friendly streetscape along Wisconsin Ave in Friendship Heights and Tenleytown. It allows for higher heights with transitions to surrounding neighborhoods and includes recommendations to improve pedestrian connections, public spaces, and retail.

Support homes at the U St Police & Fire Station (take action) The aging U Street NW Police and Fire Stations urgently need replacement and the site is also a great place for mixed-income housing. Tell the DC Zoning Commission you support the upzoning of this public land to allow housing on top of a rebuilt police station and firehouse!

Maryland

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11/1/23, 2:11 PM

Preview - 23 November newsletter

Attend MDOT meetings on 495/270! (learn more) The MDOT is holding open houses on 495/270 in Bethesda (11/13), Gaithersburg (11/15), Frederick (11/16), and Rockville (12/2). Join fellow advocates to send a message to the Moore administration that more costly highway expansions are NOT the solution to Maryland’s climate, equity, and transportation needs.

Oppose massive interchange that would undermine Downtown Largo (take action) The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is proposing a massive, high-speed $90+ million interchange that’s hostile towards people walking and biking, and would divide the walkable communities the county wants to create. Tell SHA to start over and find a multimodal, urban boulevard design.

Final push for the Walkable Urban Streets Act (take action) Thanks to your support, the Walkable Urban Streets Act sailed out of the Transportation Committee and its first vote of the full Prince George's County Council in October. Final public hearing and vote is on Nov 14. Speak up for safer streets for walking, bicycling and economically successful transit-oriented development!

Last chance: weigh in on changes to Montgomery’s bus network (Nov 8 at 6:30pm, RSVP) Support frequent, fast, and reliable bus service for Montgomery County! Join CSG and MCDOT for a webinar to explore the changes proposed for county bus service as part of the Ride On Reimagined redesign. You can also explore the draft network concept, and share comments until Nov 15.

Virginia Get to know the Fairfax candidates and vote! (learn more) Early voting is underway until Nov 4 and the general election is Nov 7. We partnered with our Fairfax Healthy Communities network to create a non-partisan questionnaire for Fairfax Board of Supervisor candidates. Check out what they have to say on transportation, housing, and climate and our platform.

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11/1/23, 2:11 PM

Preview - 23 November newsletter

Support more homes in Alexandria (take action) Alexandria’s Zoning for Housing plan includes a range of strategies to provide more housing options amid a significant housing shortage. Tell the City that you support transit-oriented development, more housing along transit corridors, and “missingmiddle” ownership options including 2, 3, and 4 unit dwellings.

Support the Langston Blvd Area Plan (learn more) The Langston Boulevard Area Plan is a corridor-wide vision that will make way for more housing, enhanced open space and stormwater management, safer streets, and better transit. The Planning Commission is holding a hearing today Nov 1 and the Board public hearing is Nov 11. We support the plan, while pointing out where they can allow for more housing.

Protect VA's smart growth transportation criteria (take action

by Nov 14) SMART SCALE is a nationally recognized program that saves taxpayer money by prioritizing transportation project spending using objective criteria. However, proposed changes would minimize the role of efficient land use and shift funding away from bike/ped/transit projects.

Thanks for all you do, Stewart Schwartz Executive Director Coalition for Smarter Growth

Image credits: Hugh Kenny; BeyondDC; Marco Sanchez; DC Office of Planning; Cheryl Cort; urbandispute; MD State Highway Administration; Dan Behrend; BeyondDC; Sonya Breehey; Bill Pugh; Arlington County; Hugh Kenny

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

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Preview - 23 November newsletter

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).

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