Category: Prince George’s County

Testimony: SB 943 – Better Bus Service Act of 2024 (MD, Support)

We are excited about plans for tactical bus lanes on Georgia Avenue in Montgomery County, and Silver Hill Road in Prince George’s County. These projects are collaborations between the State Highway Administration, WMATA, and each county’s Department of Transportation. They reflect a shared commitment to providing better transit service to those who depend on it, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation by attracting new riders.

Testimony: SB 1123, School Facilities and Public Safety Surcharges and Report – Sunset Extension (Prince George’s, Support)

We want to express our strong support for SB 1123, which would extend the current 50% reduced school facilities surcharge for multifamily housing projects located close to Metro and MARC stations. It also states that Purple Line stations can receive the same treatment by the governing body of the county. 

CSG testimony to Prince George’s House Delegation for 2024 session

Overall, CSG urges the delegation to act through legislation, administrative oversight, and budget oversight to prioritize transit, and redirect highway capacity expansion projects to sustainable multimodal transportation solutions. We also urge support for Rental Housing Works to ensure Prince George’s has the resources it needs for its robust affordable housing program.

CSG comments: Capitol Heights Metro station changes for redevelopment

To transform this station, we support the redevelopment of the 372-space Park & Ride surface parking lot, relocation and reduction of Kiss & Ride spots, and relocation of the bus facilities. We support the urban street layout for bus bays, which necessitates a right in/right out driveway access on East Capitol Street.

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.

EVENT: Branch Ave Metro tour and placemaking meetup, Oct. 3, 2023

Connectivity + placemaking: Unlocking development around transit at the Branch Av. Metro station, with RISE Prince George’s.

On Oct. 3, 2023, in collaboration with RISE Prince George’s, we explored Prince George’s effort to focus future growth within the beltway and established communities by taking a look at the Branch Avenue Metro station area. We were welcomed by District 8 Council Member Ed Burroughs, III. Following the Council Member, we discussed Metro station area planning and development, zoning, street design, and walk and bike access. We then walked to Apollo Restaurant Row and convened a panel discussion on Prince George’s emerging placemaking initiatives.

Resources: 

The Capital Market Turnip Tour

WMATA Joint Development 10-Year Strategic Plan

Downtowns Are Changing, but ‘Haven’t Plateaued Yet’

Premium grocery stores are missing from the region’s high-income Black neighborhoods

Brittney Drakeford, urban planner, speaks to the group about creative placemaking. Pictured: District 8 Council Member Ed Burroughs, in the middle facing the group.

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.