2024 January newsletter

2/2/24, 3:35 PM

Preview - 24 January newsletter

Starting the year off with big issues

Dear {{FirstName or 'Friend'}}, First, great news! Thanks to many generous donors like you, we met our end-of-year fundraising goal! Your support enables us to field our team and work with you to shape a more sustainable and livable future. But we have big challenges ahead and need your help to take action on the following issues in the coming weeks.

Key among them is helping us win the funding Metro needs.

Before reading on, take a moment to send an email to your elected officials! WMATA is facing major operating budget shortfalls due to inflation, lower rail ridership, and lack of long-term, inflation-adjusted funding. They’ve identified cost https://email.everyaction.com/EmailMessage/PreviewMessage/95058e00-01af-ee11-bea1-0022482237da

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2/2/24, 3:35 PM

Preview - 24 January newsletter

savings and improved service – increasing frequency, reliability, and safety. But without action to fully fund the remaining budget gap, we’ll see service cuts, reduced access to jobs, and more traffic and pollution.

Now back to our regular programming...

Regional Fight over sports arena Governor Youngkin and Alexandria officials announced a deal to subsidize a new arena at Potomac Yard for the owners of the Wizards and Capitals. DC Mayor Bowser and DC Council countered with funding to keep the teams in DC. The public and regional decision makers need to consider the relative costs, benefits, and impacts of the two arena locations. More to come!

You asked for a better regional transportation plan (more info) Thanks to all who submitted comments asking for more investments in walking, biking, transit, and rail – and less highway widening – in our region’s long-range transportation plan, Visualize 2050. The vast majority of nearly 1,000 comments supported this vision. Now, we’ll see how officials respond.

D.C. Weighing in for more affordable housing in DC! The DC Zoning Commission will be making key decisions soon, including the U St. police & fire stations rezoning to include housing, new zones in Chevy Chase and Wisconsin Avenue, and changes to parking requirements for affordable housing. We can also help tenants build a larger, accessible, all-affordable building by the Takoma Metro. Keep an eye out for ways to take action!

Maryland

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2/2/24, 3:35 PM

Preview - 24 January newsletter

Webinar: MD Transportation & Climate Alignment Act (RSVP, Jan 12 at 1pm) Join us for a webinar on legislation introduced to address the climate pollution generated by large highway projects. Learn about how this legislation will align Maryland’s transportation plans with its climate targets and expand access to affordable transportation choices – transit, walking, biking, and housing near jobs/services.

Event: M4All Parking Reform social (RSVP, Jan 16 at 5pm) Join Montgomery for All at World of Beer in Rockville to celebrate the introduction of major parking reform legislation (ZTA 23-10) with unanimous Council support! Earlier in the afternoon, CSG and Montgomery for All leaders will testify in support of the ZTA. It will help make housing more affordable and reduce car-dependence in places with great transit access.

Testify for a more walkable and affordable Takoma Park MD (sign up, Jan 25 at 7pm) The Takoma Park Minor Master Plan Amendment will support a walkable, well-connected, vibrant community with a variety of housing options and access to parks and amenities at the former site of the Washington Adventist Hospital and along Maple Ave. Sign up to testify in support!

Maryland’s transportation funding crisis Maryland faces a $3.3 billion hole in its transportation budget.

While Governor Moore has been the first to commit support to Metro ($150 million in FY25 & FY26), he also proposes ending all commuter bus service and cuts to MARC – while reserving over $800 million for 495/270 toll lanes. Our take: MD can’t afford more highways and sprawl. The state needs Smart Growth 2.0!

Virginia

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Preview - 24 January newsletter

It’s time to fund more sustainable transportation in NoVA (take action by Jan 10 at 5pm) Tapping an array of area taxes, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority has funded over $5 billion in projects.

Some great ones – bus rapid transit, streets redesigned for walking/biking, and improved transit access – but also wider roads and big interchanges, which generate more sprawl and traffic. Ask NVTA to focus on sustainable transportation!

Richmond Highway BRT meeting (more info; Jan 31 at 6:30pm) Hear the latest updates on the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit, “The One”, at a community meeting on January 31 at Bryant High School. Fairfax County’s Department of Transportation will share what’s been completed so far, discuss next steps, and answer questions.

Turn this failing golf range into homes and a park! (more info) On January 23, the Fairfax Board of Supervisors will consider a proposal to redevelop the old Top Golf site in the Kingstowne area.

The development, approved by the Planning Commission, includes 174 new homes for a mix of incomes, new bike/ped connections, bus to Metro, a public park, tree preservation, and much improved control of stormwater that would otherwise erode Dogue Creek.

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

Image credits: Adam Fagen; Stewart Schwartz; DC Office of Planning; Cheryl Cort; Carrie Kisicki; Montgomery Planning; urbandispute; Hugh Kenny; KGP Design Studio; Fairfax County

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

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