ADAM is an informal coalition of Alexandrians interested in applying nationally-recognized principles of smart growth at Alexandria's four underutilized Metro stations.

Ridership statistics show that all of the city's Metro stations are in the bottom third of the stations in the Metro system. In this era of emphasis on decreased use of the personal automobile and more walkable neighborhoods, better use of the Metro stations is a key element to achieving environmentally-friendly, sustainable solutions for Alexandria's urbanizing neighborhoods.

ADAM's mission is to research and inform about the potential benefits in focusing growth that is coming to Alexandria primarily in the area of the four Metro stations (Braddock Road, Eisenhower, King Street, and Van Dorn Street).

Through the application of smart growth principles, as described by organizations such as the Urban Land Institute and others under the umbrella of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we can obtain the features that make neighborhoods more livable, such as: underground rather than surface parking; more opportunities for neighborhood-serving retail; enjoyable open space; safe streets; preservation of historic buildings and areas; and, live-work spaces.

ADAM's approach is to:

  Analyze the substantial research already conducted nationally and by individual municipalities on smart growth strategies and their effectiveness;

  Select strategies that would be appropriate to each of Alexandria's unique neighborhoods near a Metro station;

  Inform Alexandrians about the ways smart growth principles could be applied to Metro Station Area Plans and the benefits of such an approach; and

  Participate in the Small Area Plan process for each Metro station area.

ADAM is a membership organization. Its members are people from throughout Alexandria who have an interest in seeing that growth, which is inevitable given regional pressures, is done right and to the benefit of all City residents, including those who live in the immediate areas of growth and change.

ADAM is Alexandria-based and non-partisan. Its mission is research and education.