Author: Elena Sorokina

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!

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!

ACTION ALERT: Say yes to redeveloping Brookland Metro station!

We’ve long supported converting the parking lots at Brookland Metro to places for people to live, work, and shop. Before Metro can make the land available, they need to realign the bus bays and shrink the Kiss and Ride lot. Check out our suggested talking points then submit your comments in support by September 22 at 5pm. 

Comments: Proposed changes to transit facilities at Brookland – CUA Metro Station

The suburban-style Brookland Metro station has long been in need of a makeover. At the same time, DC needs more housing and affordable housing, especially around transit hubs. Offering more housing opportunities in this highly accessible location will benefit the many families and individuals who would like to live in a walkable, bike-friendly, transit-accessible neighborhood.