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Category: Better Public Transit
RISE Prince George’s Holiday Happy Hour
December 13, 2021, 6-8 pm
Let’s get together (outdoors) to celebrate and look forward to the upcoming election year!
Join us on December 13 from 6:00-8:00 pm to celebrate our year of work together and look to next year — which is an election year! We’ll hear from the new Hyattsville Mayor Kevin “Scooter” Ward and other presenters who can speak to our past, present, and future of creating dynamic gathering spaces (Downtowns), more affordable housing, and innovative transportation for everyone who lives, works, and plays in Prince George’s County.
WHEN: Monday, December 13, 6:00-8:00pm
WHERE: Town Center Market – outdoor patio (with some heaters)
4705 Queensbury Road | Riverdale, MD 20737
Transit Directions: The market is located directly adjacent to the Riverdale MARC Station but is also just a short last-mile connection (walk, bike, or bus) from the Prince George’s Plaza Metro Station
First 30 people get a free drink!
Celebrate a year promoting our agenda of a shared, sustainable prosperity by creating safe, walkable, inclusive and transit-oriented communities.
Learn from community leaders, including Hyattsville Mayor Kevin “Scooter” Ward
Launch the RISE Prince George’s election platform to educate candidates and the public about how to build a better Prince George’s. Learn about how you can be part of winning support from our future elected officials to build a more sustainable, prosperous and inclusive County.
Learn more about RISE Prince George’s here.
Photo: Mayor Kevin “Scooter” Ward, City of Hyattsville, MD
COVID-19 precautions: we encourage everyone to be fully vaccinated. This event is held outside, so bundle up! RISE Prince George’s does not endorse or work on behalf of candidates, or express any view for or against any candidate.
MetroNow Statement on Blue Line Derailment and Ongoing Service Disruptions
Washington, DC — The MetroNow Coalition—comprised of the Coalition for Smarter Growth, Federal City Council, Greater Washington Board of Trade, Greater Washington Partnership, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce, the 2030 Group, and Tysons Partnership—today released the following statement on the ongoing WMATA Metrorail service disruptions.
MetroNow Dispatch (October 2021)
View the dispatch here.
Testimony in Support of Tracy Hadden Loh for DC WMATA Board
October 27, 2021
Hon. Phil Mendelson, Chair
Committee of the Whole of the
Council of the District of Columbia
Regarding: PR 24-359, Board of Directors of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Tracy Hadden Loh Appointment Resolution of 2021
Dear Chairman and members of the Committee:
Please accept these comments on behalf of the Coalition for Smarter Growth, the leading non-profit organization in the D.C. region advocating for walkable, bikeable, inclusive, transit-oriented communities as the most sustainable and equitable way for the DC region to grow and provide opportunities for all.
We wish to express our support for Tracy Hadden Loh, PhD, for WMATA Board. Dr. Loh is eminently qualified to represent both the interests of the District of Columbia residents, and the region as a whole. She brings years of experience and expertise in regional governance, land use, and transportation issues. Dr. Loh is a life-long and regular user of WMATA and other transit systems. This makes Dr. Loh an intellectual leader on transit and urban land use policy while also being grounded in practical experience as a transit rider and DC resident.
We ask the Committee to approve Dr. Loh’s appointment.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Cort
Policy Director
Event: Book Talk with Christof Spieler
Our co-host, Island Press, recently released the second edition of Christof Spieler’s wildly popular book “Trains, Buses, People.” Christof discussed the evolving conversation around transit and shared updates on fare policies, wayfinding, inclusivity, and North American transit systems. Purchase using code WEBINAR with Island Press for 30% off.
If you missed the talk, watch the recording of the event or download our powerpoint below.
CSG comments in support of the Alexandria Mobility Plan
The overall draft AMP is very good and builds on and expands Alexandria’s existing transportation policies, setting a course for the city to continue moving towards a more equitable, sustainable, and livable city.
Event: Alternatives to Maglev
September 21 – The proposed high speed Maglev train between Baltimore, MD and Washington D.C. would harm a national park, a national wildlife refuge, the Chesapeake Bay and numerous nearby communities.
NPCA, the Coalition for Smarter Growth, the West Baltimore Project, Delegate Jared Solomon, and Delegate Robbyn Lewis hosted a conversation about why the proposed Baltimore-Washington Maglev project is wrong for the region and the numerous transit solutions currently being considered.
Better Buses for Prince George’s
On July 20, 2021, local and regional bus experts, along with stakeholders discussed where we are and where we want to be with Prince George’s bus service.
View the event recording on YouTube.
Speaker presentations:
Anthony Foster, Chief, Transit Planning, Prince George’s County Department of Public Works & Transportation
James Hamre, Director, Office of Bus Planning and Scheduling, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
John Hillegass, Manager, Regional Mobility & Infrastructure, Greater Washington Partnership
This event was co-sponsored by: RISE Prince George’s, Coalition for Smarter Growth, and MetroNow.
CSG Comments on the Route 1 Multimodal Study
Dear Mr. Reinhard and team,
The Coalition for Smarter Growth supports the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT’s) preferred alternative to convert Route 1 through National Landing from an elevated highway to a slower, safer, and vibrant urban boulevard. This is a forward-thinking proposal that will eliminate the current barrier that the elevated Route 1 presents and provide greater cohesion between Pentagon City and Crystal City.
It is essential that this new urban boulevard be designed in a way that truly prioritizes the needs of people walking, biking, and using transit. We recognize there are concerns regarding the safety of people without grade separation. However, we believe with the right design and safety measures, this new boulevard can be safe, accessible and provide a more connected community overall.
Physically designing the roadway for slower speeds by narrowing travel lanes and reducing corner radii, providing physically protected intersections and bike lanes, and allowing off-peak on-street parking are proven designs that make streets safer. Added safety measures should also include utilizing pedestrian lead intervals at signals and automated speed enforcement.
Conversion to a boulevard presumes we do everything we can to promote non-automobile access to National Landing, Reagan National Airport, and other commuting destinations. This includes expanding employee transit benefits, utilizing parking pricing, and providing more frequent and reliable transit services. Providing attractive transit options will help intercept commuters from Prince George’s, Fairfax County, and other points south traveling to jobs in Arlington and the District.
We urge VDOT and Arlington County to reimagine Route 1 with an at-grade design that emphasizes safety and accessibility for all road users and provides a vibrant urban boulevard through the heart of National Landing.
Thank you for your time and consideration of our comments.
Sonya Breehey
Northern Virginia Advocacy Manager