October 22 Newsletter

Dear {{FirstName or 'Friend'}},

you a current or former federal government

so, you can make a powerful impact

donating

to CSG!

CSG

are CFC

a federal

easy:

Make a CFC account;

can still donate to CSG

Thank you to everyone who

Maryland: Downtown Largo (Oct 6 at 5:30pm, RSVP)

Join us this Thursday for a walking tour highlighting mixed-use development and the work for a walk and bikefriendly Largo Metro station community. At 7pm, immediately following the walking tour, CSG will host an outdoor happy hour gathering featuring Delegate Jazz Lewis.

DC: City Ridge (Oct 17 at 5:30pm, RSVP)

Join us, Ward3Vision, Cleveland Park Smart Growth, and other local smart growth advocates for a walking tour of the new 10-acre City Ridge project at the former Fannie Mae headquarters site. The project features a Wegmans grocery story, public green, and playground! We’ll end with a happy hour at Surfside.

Virginia: National Landing (Oct 25 at 5:30pm, RSVP)

There’s a lot happening at National Landing! Join CSG and the National Landing Business Improvement District to check out transformative new development and public spaces, bikeways, and plans for the Route 1 Boulevard, VRE & Amtrak, Metroway BRT, and a pedestrian/cyclist bridge to National Airport. Happy hour at Highline RxR.

D.C.

Get your e-books on climate solutions here!

Want to stock up on great e-books

holding an e-book sale.

smart growth,

friends at Island Press

Transforming our Bus Network (sign up for updates)

More frequent, faster, and reliable service, improved access to jobs, and seamless integration of Metro and local bus services. This is what we hope for as WMATA begins seeking public input this month for its Better Bus Network Redesign project.

Virtual Event: Future of Bus Data (Oct 7 at 9am, RSVP)

Join the MetroNow coalition for a conversation with agency officials and subject-area experts on how data can be used to improve the customer experience: advancing safety, accessibility, and affordability

D.C.

K Street Transitway: from leafy Great Street to asphalt heat island? (take action)

We are enthusiastic supporters of the District's bold bus priority program, and the vision for the K Street Transitway project that the Mayor shared in 2019. But with about half of the median tree canopy gone from the most recent plans, we are alarmed at the changes to the K Street Transitway design. Read our letter to the Mayor here.

Opportunities in October to support an inclusive Ward 3! (sign up here)

DC Office of Planning is hosting a number of fall engagement activities for the Connecticut Avenue Development Guidelines. On Oct. 6, 6 pm, OP will host a webinar, but there are many more chances to engage in person and online in October. You don’t need to live in Ward 3 to have a stake in making it more inclusive!

A $100 transit benefit advances to a final vote!

We are thrilled that the bill to offer DC residents a $100/month transit benefit has advanced out of committee and is moving towards a final vote! This bill is especially important for lower income residents who are less likely to to receive transit benefits from their employer. We, and many allies, have supported this bill.

Maryland

We’re hiring: Maryland Transit Advocate (apply)

Our exciting new position for a Maryland Transit Advocate will campaign for state transit investment, with a particular focus in Prince George’s County. This position will work with partners to advocate for more funding, better buses, and walkable, bikeable, transit-oriented communities.

We’re hiring: Montgomery Advocacy Manager (apply)

Are you ready to carry on the legacy

Lyons,

Tomao, and Kelly Blynn, our top-notch advocacy leaders in

carry

the fight

Get Thrive Montgomery 2050 over the finish line! (take action)

Today, the Council holds its final work session on the Thrive 2050 General Plan. The plan embraces urbanism and smart growth as the most sustainable and equitable way for Montgomery County to grow and provide opportunities for all. On Friday, 13 non-profit organizations sent a joint letter of support. Let’s pass Thrive!

Take the Ride On Reimagined Survey (take the survey)

Take the Customer Satisfaction Survey for the chance to win a $100 gift card! This survey is a vital part of the Ride On Reimagined study. The Ride On Reimagined Study is an opportunity to transform our bus service - to make it more frequent, reliable, affordable, and accessible.

Undermining the new smart growth zoning code in Prince George's (more information, stay tuned for ways to take action!)

It took eight years of public involvement to create the county’s modernized zoning code which supports transitoriented communities. Now, some members of the County Council are fast-tracking several bills that gut key provisions supporting high quality transit-oriented communities.

Which transportation future do you want for Prince George’s County? (take action)

Maryland Department of Transportation’s six-year budget plan for Prince George’s County is a mixed-bag. It includes both (a) sprawl-fueling road expansion projects and (b) support for transit, bike/ped safety and transit-oriented communities. Option (b) offers a more sustainable and equitable future for the county

Virginia

Let's make it safer to walk and bike in West Falls Church (meeting info)

Do you wish walking and biking around West Falls Church could be safer and more convenient? Share your thoughts at two community meetings (virtual on Oct 26; in person on Oct 27) on pedestrian and bicycle projects for Route 7, Shreve, Haycock, and nearby neighborhoods.

Support the Duke Street Transitway + Bikeway (take action)

The Duke Street Transitway is a critical part of a sustainable future for Alexandria. As the city and region grows, we need to move more people sustainably. Center-running dedicated bus lanes and an E-W bikeway will do just that. Fill out the City’s feedback form by Oct 28 and attend one of the meetings.

Let’s get NoVa transportation onto the right track (take action)

72% of the public comments on the draft Transaction 2045 transportation plan asked for changes. Thank you to those who emailed! With 1,000 lane miles of road expansion that will fuel sprawl, the plan fails to address climate change and ignores the need for better land use and for homes closer to transit and jobs. Keep the emails coming!

Virtual Event: Virginia Transit Equity and Modernization Briefing (Oct 6 at 1pm, RSVP)

More than 1.1 million Virginians lack access to fixed route transit service. The Department of Rail and Public Transportation report ordered by the General Assembly also shows poor bus stops and sidewalk access, lack of input from riders, the need for better service, and support for electrification and zero fares.

We need to tame our dangerous arterial roads (watch)

Watch the recording of our forum

Virginia.

change,

Stewart Schwartz Executive Director

for Smarter Growth

Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling, Toole Design Group, and VDOT

our

changes at VDOT, community

Images from ep_jhu, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Roadside Development, JBG Smith, Island Press, Joe Flood, MW Transit Photos, patrick thibodeau, BeyondDC, MW Transit Photos, Montgomery Planning Department, Elyse Horvath, Prince George's County, Payton Chung, MW Transit Photos, NVTA, Sonya Breehey, Daniel Kelly