Our annual Smart Growth Social is back and tickets are selling fast! Join us for a night of fun, networking, and inspiration – all while supporting our work for a more livable, sustainable region. Special guest speaker, David Zipper, a contributor to Bloomberg CityLab, Vox, and The Atlantic, will talk about how we save transit and our vibrant cities.
Author: Elena Sorokina
CSG comments on VDOT 495 Southside
The Coalition for Smarter Growth submits the following comments on the Preliminary Alternatives and Screening Evaluation presented by VDOT in September 2023 for its 495 Southside Express Lanes study.
CSG in the News: As Va. officials review SMART SCALE, some regional planners worry about shifting priorities
October 2, 2023 | Virginia Mercury | Nathaniel Cline
“We certainly think there’s a lot of focus on highway road expansion statewide and no focus on climate change impacts with this approach,” said Stewart Schwartz, executive director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth.
CSG in the News: Metro’s Financial Crisis Demands Leadership from D.C. But the Prospect of New Taxes is Making Politicians Skittish.
“I think they’re frustrated with having to lead the way, but I do think it is so much easier for the District to lead on this,” says Stewart Schwartz, the executive director of the influential Coalition for Smarter Growth and a veteran of many Metro funding debates.
TAKE ACTION: VDOT’s “495 Southside Study” is biased toward building more toll lanes. What happened to the promise of Metrorail?
Alexandria was promised future Metrorail across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge to connect Virginia and Maryland when the bridge was reconstructed 15 years ago. And WMATA is currently studying a Blue Line loop across the bridge. But, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is racing ahead with a biased study designed solely to extend High Occupancy Toll Lanes (aka “Express Lanes”) from Springfield across the bridge to MD210. The comment period ends on October 10!
TAKE ACTION: These two projects would put Prince George’s on the wrong road
We have two urgent actions we need you to take. Two massive road projects would undermine a sustainable and prosperous future for Prince George’s County.
CSG in the News: Metro Says It Needs More State Funding To Avoid Drastic Service Cuts And Layoffs
Stewart Schwartz, executive director of the transit advocacy non-profit Coalition for Smarter Growth, says it’s “concerning” that the agency may have to rely more on capital budget funds to reduce the deficit.
CSG Support for Connecticut Avenue Development Guidelines
We are pleased to express our support for the revised Development Guidelines for the commercial areas on Connecticut Avenue in the Cleveland Park and Woodley Park Historic Districts. The revised Development Guidelines will help us meet the Comprehensive Plan goals of increasing housing, and improving the mix of uses, while ensuring building forms that integrate with the historic districts and foster a people-friendly streetscape around the Cleveland Park and Woodley Park Metro stations.
CSG Testimony for Connecticut Avenue Development Guidelines
The revised Guidelines will help us meet the Comprehensive Plan goals of increasing housing, and improving the mix of uses, while ensuring building forms that integrate with the historic districts and foster a people-friendly streetscape around the Cleveland Park and Woodley Park Metro stations.
Event Materials: CSG & WMATA webinar on the Visionary Bus Network
With your input, Metro has created a draft Visionary Network, the future bus network the region needs. This virtual “Lunch and Learn” webinar is a great opportunity to hear from project leaders from the Better Bus team and learn about all the ways you can give your feedback!