Author: Ayesha Amsa

Testimony: Silver Spring mixed-use development at Georgia and Cameron (Support, Montgomery County)

We wish to express our support for the proposed mixed-use development at 8676 Georgia Avenue and 8601 Cameron Street. This development will provide up to 525 additional transit-accessible homes in downtown Silver Spring; improve pedestrian and bike infrastructure in the surrounding area; and offer additional retail and commercial space to serve this neighborhood and its many residents and visitors just blocks from the Silver Spring Metro.

We won a future of more homes in the right places – Chevy Chase and U Street!

We won a future of more homes in the right places – Chevy Chase and U Street!

Thanks to advocates like you, the DC Zoning Commission made the right decision on July 11 and approved rezoning proposals to add substantially more housing capacity in two sought-after locations in DC: U Street police and fire stations site, and the Chevy Chase civic core and Connecticut Avenue main street below the circle. 

Do you want an even better Metro & bus? Take this survey!

Do you want an even better Metro & bus? Take this survey!

CSG is at the table with leaders from DC, Maryland, and Virginia in “DMVMoves” – an initiative to create an updated transit vision and to (finally!) identify dedicated funding. This is the most important initiative in years to create a world-class regional transit network – with financial stability – for years to come. 

RELEASE: New Transit Access to Opportunity Data for the Seven Highest-Ridership Cities

“The Washington DC Metro’s strategy of increasing frequency, expanding service with 24-hour routes, and providing low-income fare passes is working,” said Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth in Washington DC. “TransitCenter’s updated Transportation Equity Dashboard shows that the average DC area resident has much-improved access to jobs. Alexandria’s new DASH Bus network and free fares also contributed to much-improved access, with both systems showing the greatest benefits for Black and lower-income workers. This report shows the value of investing in Metro and our local bus systems, including the importance of finding 35% more bus operating funds for Metro to implement its Visionary Bus Network.”

Fact Sheet: Attainable Housing – living up to our country’s housing values (Montgomery County)

On June 13, the Montgomery County Planning Board unanimously approved the Attainable Housing Strategies Initiative report. The report recommends allowing more types of housing—like duplexes, triplexes, and townhouses—in neighborhoods that for decades have only allowed single-family detached homes.

CSG testimony: Director of the District Department of Transportation Sharon Kershbaum Confirmation Resolution of 2024 (DC)

At this crucial time, when the city is faltering in meeting its Vision Zero goals, when Downtown is in serious trouble, and when we face the need to fight climate change, DC is in need of visionary and progressive leadership from its DDOT director. We ask the Committee to ensure DDOT has this leadership and that the District emerges as an international leader in sustainable transportation.

STATEMENT: Officials express strong support for Metrorail on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and for transit-oriented development

The massive number of public comments submitted — totalling 1200 pages which ran over two to one against VDOT”s current 495 Southside Toll Lanes proposal – showed the broad public support for Metrorail and TOD and concerns about the toll lanes. However, the resolution to add the 495 Toll Lanes Southside project to the Visualize 2050 draft list of projects lacks firm commitments for VDOT to study alternatives to highway widening with HOT lanes, and leaves at risk future Metrorail on the Wilson Bridge.