The Coalition for Smarter Growth respectfully asks your consideration of these comments as you refine your Carbon Reduction Strategies (CRS) prior to submittal to FHWA next month. These comments build on our October 17 letter to the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board.
Category: Resources
State Carbon Reduction Strategies need to incorporate TPB climate goals, findings & strategies
At the Oct. 18 TPB meeting, state DOT’s will brief you on their draft Carbon Reduction Strategies. The states are required to consult with TPB on these plans before they submit them to the federal government next month. The Coalition for Smarter Growth encourages TPB members to closely review and provide feedback on these strategies.
Testimony: Annual Permit Allocation – Comments and suggested amendments
We believe we can do this while building more housing in the right places to address the overall need for housing, and to help make housing more affordable. Our land use policies and infrastructure investments need to incentivize and encourage private investment to build more homes that are connected to existing services, transit, employment centers, and other essential destinations. We also need to remove the many barriers that discourage this kind of investment.
Comments on MDOT Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) Tour FY24-29, Prince George’s County
As a member of the statewide Transform Maryland Transportation Coalition (TMTC), we ask MDOT to flex 50% of the federal funds, as allowed by federal law, from the Surface Transportation Block Grant and National Highway Performance Program formulas towards needed investments in eligible transit, safer streets, bicycle, and pedestrian projects, and transit vehicle electrification.
Letter: A better design for the Medical Center Drive/I-495 interchange
We support the exciting vision you have laid out for a vibrant, walkable Downtown Largo and Blue Line corridor. In order to achieve this vision, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) should wholly rethink their current proposals for a greatly expanded I-495/Medical Center Drive interchange.
CSG Testimony in Support of Providence Hospital redevelopment
September 29, 2023
Attorney General Brian Schwalb, District of Columbia
400 6th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001
RE: Providence Hospital – Support for mixed income housing and parks at former hospital site
Dear Attorney General Schwab::
Please accept this letter on behalf of the Coalition for Smarter Growth (CSG). CSG is the leading non-profit organization in the Washington, D.C. region, including DC and suburban Maryland, dedicated to making the case for smart growth. Our mission is to promote walkable, inclusive, and transit-oriented communities, and the land use and transportation policies and investments needed to make those communities flourish.
We are writing to express our support for the proposed sale and redevelopment of the Providence Hospital site. We support the re-purposing of the now closed Providence Hospital with mixed income housing, parks and other amenities.
Specifically, we support the preliminary redevelopment plans for the 22-acre site to build about 450 townhouses and apartments. We are especially supportive of at least 20 percent of these homes as affordable, including family-sized townhouses. This would total about 90 rental and ownership affordable homes.
The development agreement exchanges the value of land for the high cost of demolition of the nine-story hospital building, with additional subsidies anticipated for the affordable homes. This is a reasonable agreement for the addition of affordable, mixed income homes at this site, along with community amenities.
The proposed redevelopment will provide a mix of greenspaces and playspace, along with other community benefits. This mix of new homes and greenspaces is well-located between the Fort Totten and Brookland Metro stations, and other public amenities like Turkey Thicket and many schools.
We look forward to supporting the refinement of this proposal as it advances through the development review process.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Cort, Policy Director
CSG News: Smart Growth Social, Metro funding, and speaking up
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.
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.