Category: Alexandria

CSG in the News: Zoning Proposal for Housing is Front and Center as Alexandria City Council Meets Tonight in Public Session

Posted on by Carrie Kisicki

Bill Pugh lives in Alexandria and is senior policy fellow with Coalition for Smarter Growth. “Would you go so far as to say we have a housing crisis?,” Zebra asked Pugh in a phone interview two days after the community forum.

“Alexandria has a housing shortage like many jurisdictions,” said Pugh, “and it also has an affordability issue as well. Whether we call it a crisis or not, the data that was presented by the Urban Institute has clearly shown there’s not enough housing in the DC region on all income levels. And we see that in day-to-day examples. My kids attend ACPS schools and many of their teachers drive in from Prince William and Prince George’s counties because they can’t afford to live here.”

TAKE ACTION: Ask Alexandria City Council to support Duke St bus lanes, safer walking & biking 

Posted on by Ayesha Amsa

The project Advisory Group, representing a diverse mix of corridor stakeholders, last month voted overwhelmingly to recommend dedicated center-running bus lanes and improved walking and biking facilities as the best option to improve Duke St for all users. Council needs to hear from you, that you support this recommendation for a safer and truly multimodal Duke Street.

ACTION: Speak up for better bus service, walking and biking on Duke Street

Posted on by Ayesha Amsa

The Duke Street Transitway is a critical part of a sustainable future for Alexandria. As the city and region grow, we need to move more people sustainably. Center-running dedicated bus lanes, wider tree-lined sidewalks, and a safe and convenient east-west bike route along Duke Street are an investment in Alexandria’s future.

ACTION ALERT: Demand climate action from your local elected officials

ACTION ALERT: Demand climate action from your local elected officials

Posted on by Ayesha Amsa

Transportation is the #1 source of our regional greenhouse gas emissions, and we have just 8 years to slash those emissions. Yet, our local and state elected officials who sit on the regional Transportation Planning Board (TPB), are not taking the urgent – and feasible – steps necessary to reduce emissions from our region’s transportation system. They need to hear from you! 

RELEASE: MetroNow Bus Transformation Project Progress Report

RELEASE: MetroNow Bus Transformation Project Progress Report

Posted on by Ayesha Amsa

In response to the region’s critical transit needs, leading transportation coalition launches the Bus Champions Roundtable, a series of targeted discussions with regional leaders to align priorities and accelerate bus transformation progress.

TESTIMONY re: Reversal of BAR Denial of Certificate of Appropriateness for Heritage at Old Town

TESTIMONY re: Reversal of BAR Denial of Certificate of Appropriateness for Heritage at Old Town

Posted on by Ayesha Amsa

The Coalition for Smarter Growth reiterates our strong support for the Heritage at Old Town as approved by the City Council under a special use permit and Residential Multifamily Zoning. We face a housing crisis and the Heritage at Old Town is a well-designed development, providing critically needed housing and affordable housing. Our prior testimony is attached. 

Take Action: Tell City Council you support transit, walking, and biking

Posted on by Ayesha Amsa

City Council is set to vote on Alexandria’s updated mobility plan following a public hearing on Oct. 16. This plan is critical for more sustainable and equitable transportation in Alexandria — focusing on increasing walking, biking, and transit options, while making our streets safer for all users and modes. Let’s make sure it’s approved! If you haven’t yet, tell the City Council that you support the updated mobility plan.

Send an Email Today

In addition to sending an email, you are encouraged to speak at the upcoming public hearing in support of the plan’s goals for mobility in the city. 

City Council Public Hearing – Oct. 16 at 9:30am – Sign Up to Speak

The Alexandria Mobility Plan (AMP) is the result of a community-driven planning process that identified key priorities and recommendations to improve reliability, safety, and travel options in the city. The AMP strives to:

  • Give all Alexandrians convenient options in how they travel
  • Make transit easy to use and more reliable 
  • Continue towards Vision Zero designing safer streets and reducing speeding
  • Complete missing pedestrian and bicycle connections
  • Utilize technology to improve safety and efficient use of the street network
  • Proactively and equitably manage curb space for different needs (dining, bikeshare, loading/pick-up, parking, etc.)

The updated mobility plan will set a course for Alexandria to continue moving towards a more equitable, sustainable, and livable city. You can review the final draft of the AMP and learn more at the project website here.