Takoma, D.C. Transportation Corridor Chock

WMATA to violate evacuation route sensibilities.

From: Megan Scribner

We've just learned that the WMATA Board has moved the Takoma Station development to their "consent agenda" which means they plan to approve it without discussion. They are scheduled to meet this Thursday, October 25.

Tonight at the City Council Meeting, the Council will brief the community on this very negative action by WMATA, which has come up so quickly. We need to be there to urge ALL of our political leaders to be strong and continue the fight to defeat the flawed EYA plan.

FYI -- On Friday, the City submitted to WMATA an alternative site plan apparently for the purpose of demonstrating that there are a number of alternatives and that therefore WMATA should reject the EYA plan. While we have some concerns about this "City" proposal and the process that led to its being sent to WMATA - we feel that right now we need to focus on the WMATA's vote on Thursday.

On Wednesday night Governor O'Malley is giving a speech from 8-9:00 at Takoma Park Middle School on Piney Branch. O'Malley is someone who can ask the MD WMATA Board members to vote against the plan. It would be good to have a good community turnout - not so much as a protest but as a way to visibly show how strongly the community feels about this particular development. Please come in red shirts, we'll supply the buttons or stickers -- hopefully there will be an opportunity during an open mike session to ask for his support.

If you haven't had a chance yet, please ask O'Malley to contact the two WMATA Board members who represent Maryland and urge them to vote for Smart Growth and against the EYA plan - or at least to make sure the EYA plan is SUBSTANTIALLY changed so that it is truly transit-oriented - has adequate bus facilities, parking, safe traffic patterns, safe pedestrian access and adequate handicapped access etc. (Since we're trying to garner his positive attention - you might also wish him luck also on a successful special session.) For the governor's office: governor@gov.state.md.us or fax 410-974-3275 (both will get a response). Also, can email through his constituent website www.governor.maryland.gov/mail. Or call 1-800-811-8336 (will not get a response). www.governor.maryland.gov/mail

On Thursday, the WMATA Board's Meeting is at 10:00am at 600 Fifth Street, NW. There will only be 20 minutes (2 minutes per person) of public discussion on all issues, including fare increases. So while you probably won't have an opportunity to talk. It would be good to have a good community turnout. Please come in red shirts, we'll supply the buttons or stickers.

Thanks for all your good efforts on this.

Megan
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This regards the Metropolitan Branch B&O railroad corridor where today's WMATA Red Line runs above ground.

The proposal for new housing in the Takoma WMATA station site constricts and complicates Washington, D.C.'s sole continuous grade separated northern radial roadway for the sake of adding a fraction of the transit oriented development feasible along Maryland's Route 355 and Route 1.