Celebrate smart growth at our Livable Communities Leadership Awards (May 13, RSVP) 
Join us Wednesday, May 13, at 6-8pm @ MLK, Jr Memorial Library for CSG’s Prince Livable Communities Leadership Awards & Reception, celebrating smart growth leaders shaping a more livable and inclusive region. This year’s honorees include Andy Altman and Ron Kaplan of Fivesquares Development, along with Montgomery Housing Alliance and Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance. 

Take action for Metro funding!
Last week, we celebrated the DC Metro’s 50th Anniversary! We hope you will join CSG in our campaign for the funding that our Metro system, as well as all of our local bus and commuter rail systems, deserve. Be sure to email your local, state, and federal officials to ask them to increase funding for transit and stay tuned for our action alerts!

DC – MD Friendship Heights happy hour (4/8, RSVP)
DC has announced a team to build a new library, community center, and mixed-income housing at the Chevy Chase library site. The project includes 54 affordable homes at 30% and 50% AMI, 123 market-rate units, retail, a public park, and recreational spaces.

Dance Loft on 14 lives to see another day
We joined local residents to help keep Dance Loft’s 100+ affordable homes project on track. Despite pressure from opponents, ANC 4E voted not to oppose the modification and to defer to DC agencies. We hope for DC Zoning Commission approval. Learn more here.

DC 2050 Future Land Use Map reveals plan to increase housing (more info)
The DC Office of Planning revealed significant changes to the city’s Future Land Use Map (FLUM) that would allow more homes to be built. The proposed changes show increased housing, especially in Ward 3’s Friendship Heights, Tenleytown, and Cleveland Park Metro station areas.

Get these MD housing & transportation bills over the finish line! (learn more and take action)
In this year’s Maryland legislative session, CSG has helped get some promising bills through the Maryland House and Senate – and we’re still tracking others that may need a push. Get all the details in our legislative update and take action to help get these bills over the finish line! 

Montgomery County Executive candidate forum (4/14 @ 7pm in Wheaton, RSVP)
CSG and Montgomery for All join WABA, ACT, Bike MD, and the MCCPTA in co-hosting a nonpartisan Montgomery County Executive candidate forum focused on policies for walkable, bikeable, transit-accessible communities. The forum will be held at the Parks and Planning building in Wheaton. RSVP to let us know you’ll be there!

Go Prince George’s transportation plan needs your input (take action by 4/13)
The good news is that “Go Prince George’s,” the new countywide plan for transportation, includes plans for right-sizing dangerously wide roads, but the plan could be even better. Send comments by April 13.

Ballston Missing Middle Walking Tour (5/2, 10am, register here)
Join us to explore the many forms of ‘missing middle’ housing the Ballston neighborhood has to offer and hear from local leaders and advocates, like Arlington Board member JD Spain, on the important role these kinds of homes play in our housing ecosystem.

Webinar: The Future of Sustainable Transit in Northern Virginia (5/7, 7-8:30pm, register here)
We’re lucky to have an amazing Metro system and expansive bus network in our region. But it’s no accident. It’s the result of hard work by the agencies, elected officials, and advocates. Join CSG and partners for a virtual panel discussion, moderated by our own Stewart Schwartz, about the opportunities and challenges ahead for our transit network.

What do you think of these concepts for Springfield? (take the survey by 4/17)
Fairfax County wants your feedback on new planning concepts developed as part of the Franconia-Springfield Study. Take the survey to let them know which concept and supporting elements you like best. Concepts B + C incorporate the greatest opportunity for mixed-use residential to create walkable communities, along with placemaking, new parks, and enhanced connectivity. 

Duke Street plan community meeting (4/22, 6:30pm, virtual, learn more)
Alexandria’s next Duke Street Land Use Plan community meeting on April 22 will introduce the draft future framework for the corridor, including proposed land uses, bike/ped connectivity, and parks and open space. Please join us to see what’s in the draft framework, ask questions, and speak up for a more inclusive, vibrant future for the Duke St corridor.

Fairfax ALU Community Meetings (4/23 @ 7pm; 4/24 @ 12pm, virtual, learn more)
Fairfax County is hosting two community meetings on Accessory Living Units (ALUs) with updates, including community survey results, for a proposed zoning amendment to allow more Accessory Living Units (ALUs) in the county. Join to support ALUs as a way to provide more attainable housing options in the county!

Budget season – Fairfax County, Fairfax City, and Falls Church Edition
Help shape local investment priorities on housing, transportation, schools, etc, during this difficult budget season. In Fairfax County, attend a Budget Town Hall for the Springfield District on April 7 or Franconia District on April 10, and sign up to testify at one of three budget hearings on April 14, 15, and 16. You can also weigh in on Fairfax City’s budget by May 5th here and attend Falls Church City’s Budget Town Hall on April 30th. 

Braddock Rd Metro Station Joint Development Hearing (4/20 @ 6:30pm, learn more)
WMATA is exploring updates to the bus bays at the Braddock Road Metro Station to make way for future transit-oriented development and wants to hear from you! Attend an open house and hearing at the Charles Houston Recreation Center to express your thoughts on the proposed changes. A survey is also open to the public through April 30. 

Stewart Schwartz

Executive Director
Coalition for Smarter Growth