“Snow Symmetry” by The Glum King, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Dear Friend,
Join CSG this month to play TranspoBINGO and campaign for transit funding, take a Polar Bear Plunge, and run around the Maryland and Virginia General Assemblies! Together, we can make progress on walkable, transit-accessible communities with much-needed housing if we weigh in with our local elected officials and state legislators.
Regional
Metro has earned our support! (take action – Maryland, Virginia, DC residents)
Join CSG in supporting more funding for Metro and local transit systems! Legislators in Maryland and Virginia, and soon DC, are considering bills to provide the increased funding needed to keep Metrorail and buses safe, fast, frequent, and reliable. But these bills and funding won’t get passed if we don’t speak up. Email your state legislators today!
What do you think of Metro? (take the survey in English or Spanish)
Do you ride Metrorail, Metrobus, or MetroAccess? WMATA Riders’ Advisory Council wants your feedback! Share your thoughts on our region’s public transit system by Feb 28 and contribute to the 2026 report to the WMATA Board of Directors.
CCAN’s Polar Bear Plunge: Support “Team Smart Growth” (2/21, support us)
Team Smart Growth is taking the Polar Bear Plunge on Feb 21st in support of climate action with the Chesapeake Climate Action Network! Donate to help CSG raise $2,600 (split 50/50 with CCAN).
Washington D.C.
Chevy Chase Library/Community Center & housing team selected
DC has announced a team to build a new library, community center, and mixed-income housing at the Chevy Chase library site. The project includes 54 affordable homes at 30% and 50% AMI, 123 market-rate units, retail, a public park, and recreational spaces.
Wisconsin Ave. Rezoning Hearing recap (our testimony)
Despite hearing lots of support on Dec 11 for upzoning Wisconsin Ave. (Friendship Heights to south of Tenleytown), the DC Zoning Commission raised concerns about the design guidance, public space, and affordable housing requirements (IZ+). This is a great transit corridor for more housing, so we’ll keep working for the win!
TranspoBINGO (2/5-2/12, learn more)
CSG is proud to co-sponsor TranspoBINGO 2026. Play your way through the city with our team! Walk, bike, roll, ride transit, and enjoy public spaces, marking board squares as you play across DC. Boards go live shortly before play starts on Feb 5.
Maryland
Key bills in MD General Assembly (learn more, take action)
The CSG team is following legislation to improve transit-oriented development, transit funding, transportation project decisions, housing opportunities, and affordable housing. Email your legislators now to support MD’s share of Metro funding!
Meet us in Largo for RISE Prince George’s Winter Happy Hour (2/11, RSVP)
Join friends and have a drink and appetizer on us! We’ll share exciting opportunities: Central Ave.-Blue/Silver Line Sector Plan, MD 214 improvements, and state legislation on transit-oriented development, transit funding, and housing.
Support the Blue Line Sector Plan (3/10, sign up here)
We’re excited that the Central Ave-Blue/Silver Line Sector Plan is finally up for a hearing on March 10, 6pm. It includes mixed-use zoning for the Capitol Heights, Addison Road/Seat Pleasant, and Morgan Metro station areas, making it easier to build more housing and support more walkable communities.
Mingle with fellow housing advocates in Silver Spring (2/25, RSVP)
Come out to Commas Food Hall on Feb 25 for a happy hour with CSG and Montgomery for All! We’ll share updates on Montgomery for All’s new working groups and planned work this year on local master plans.
Help shape the Friendship Heights, MD Sector Plan (2/3, 2/5, sign up)
The Friendship Heights Sector Plan Update will make recommendations for housing, land use, parks, retail, and more. You’ll have a chance to weigh in later this year at the Planning Board and County Council public hearings. For now, get ready by learning about staff’s preliminary recommendations at public meetings on Feb 3 and Feb 5.
Virginia
Make your voice heard at the VA General Assembly! (learn more)
The CSG team is focusing on housing and transit bills, while supporting our allies on safe streets, data centers, and climate issues. Check out our webpage for key housing bills and the fight for more transit funding. Then email your legislators!
Support Accessory Living Units in Fairfax (1/20, 1/21; learn more)
Fairfax County wants your input as they consider policy changes that would make way for more Accessory Living Units (ALUs), aka backyard cottages or granny flats, as a way to provide more attainable housing options in the county. Check out CSG’s fact sheet and take the survey by Feb 28. The current policies are too restrictive!
Alexandria Housing 2040 (2/28, learn more and register)
The city is updating its Housing Master Plan and wants your feedback on the draft principles, goals, and project recommendations. Join the open house to hear presentations and provide your input
Next Duke Street Open House (2/25, learn more)
Thanks to all who participated in the open house and workshops in Dec and Jan, helping to shape the Duke Street Land Use Plan. Be sure to join the next Open House on Feb 25 from 6:30-8:30pm (location TBD) to hear about the feedback and next steps.
Thanks for all you do,
Stewart Schwartz
Executive Director
Coalition for Smarter Growth
| Image credits: “Snow Symmetry” by The Glum King, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0; Carrie Kisicki; Riders’ Advisory Council; DC Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development; DC Office of Planning; TranspoBingo; Maryland state capitol in Annapolis, Maryland, by Terry Granger on Unsplash; MNCPPC; Brandi Panbach; Montgomery Planning; VA State Capitol; City of Alexandria; City of Alexandria; Bill Pugh; Hugh Kenny. |
