Thank you for joining us on Tuesday, August 15 for a conversation with Council Member Eric Olson on the Walkable Urban Streets Act, landmark legislation that would ensure safer road designs for people walking and biking near transit districts and local centers.
Author: Ayesha Amsa
TAKE ACTION: Tell your elected officials which projects to delete and which to add
Our region’s road building isn’t reducing traffic. In fact, it’s fueling more spread-out development (sprawl) and even more driving and traffic. The regional long-range transportation plan includes 900 more lane-miles in proposed road expansion!
But you have a chance now to speak out against wasteful road expansion and FOR smart growth, with better transit, safer streets for walking and biking, and also better maintaining the roads we’ve already built to handle climate change. With so much at stake, including our regional goals for climate, equity, safety and reducing sprawl, your voice is critical.
Take Action: Speak up for a vibrant, inclusive, and transit-oriented Langston Boulevard
The draft Langston Boulevard Area Plan is out and Arlington County wants to hear from you about the proposed long-term vision for the corridor. Provide your feedback via an online survey until this Sunday, July 30th.
Shape the region’s future: volunteer as a Smart Growth Watchdog!
Are you interested in taking your advocacy to the next level by volunteering for CSG? We are excited to introduce our “Smart Growth Watchdogs” volunteer program, and we believe you have what it takes to make a significant impact! If you’re interested, read on for more information!
Walkable Urban Streets Act advocacy resources
Check out our factsheet and other resources on the Walkable Urban Streets Act.
CSG News: The issues are as hot as the weather!
Thanks to your advocacy, we’re celebrating more wins for smart growth in our region! Embrace August’s opportunities to make a difference — such as becoming a Smart Growth Watchdog! — to drive even more positive change. And don’t miss our Popsicles in the Park meet-up with partners WABA and CCAN!
CSG in the News: Supporters and opponents make their case on county’s off-street parking overhaul
Sonya Breehey, Northern Virginia advocacy manager for the Coalition for Smarter Growth, said the proposal will benefit housing and climate.
“The proposed zoning amendment offers to better balance future parking demand with other communities like equity, affordability, environmental sustainability and effective land use,” she said.
TAKE ACTION: Tell VDOT to prioritize walkable, transit-friendly communities in its climate strategy
Your feedback is critical to ensure that VDOT prioritizes fostering walkable, transit-friendly communities connected by clean, convenient intercity rail and bus systems rather than continuing to pave over Virginia and making communities more car-dependent and less safe to walk and bike.
TAKE ACTION: We need a fairer property tax system that captures the value of public investment while rewarding private investment.
The District is assessing how to better align its tax policy with the city’s values and shifting economic base. This is a great opportunity to propose to the DC Tax Revision Commission a property tax approach that rewards private investment (in buildings), and returns value created by public investments (like Metro stations, better streets).
CSG in the News: Parking reimagined as a fix for housing, climate woes in Fairfax County
Now, “there are vast acres upon acres of paved-over surfaces that are wholly underutilized,” Breehey said. “This is an opportunity to sort of fix the wrongs of the past as we try to create a different future for the county.”