Washington Ave Meeting, ‘10-Minute Communities” event, Women Led Happy Hour
5th Square is Philadelphia's urbanist political action committee. Our weekly newsletter reaches nearly 12,000 subscribers with the news, events, action alerts, and opportunities that advocates for better transportation, land use, and public space policies need to know about each week. Get involved to volunteer with our 2019 organizing and issue advocacy work, or make a donation to support our 2019 electoral work.
ACTION
Apply for a Neighborhood Slow Zone in your neighborhood! Check out the advocacy tools on our new 'Neighborhood Slow Zone' Campaign Resources page, and get started organizing for slow zones in your neighborhood.
As part of the City’s Connect transportation plan, OTIS will select two neighborhoods to roll out a package of pedestrian improvements in square half-mile areas called “Neighborhood Slow Zones.” Download the application, and work with your Registered Community Organization to apply by January 18th. Email us at [email protected] if you want help applying, or to connect with other Vision Zero supporters in your neighborhood.
EVENTS
Monday, November 12th, 6:00 pm
Washington Avenue Connector Project - Conceptual Design Reveal
Join other 5th Square supporters this tonight to support a safer Washington Avenue! The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation will reveal their conceptual plans for a safer, greener and more connected Washington Avenue tonight, November 12th, at a public meeting from 6 pm – 8 pm at the Mummers Museum (1100 S 2nd St.)
Tuesday, November 13th, 5:00 pm
'10-Minute Communities' Conversation with South Philly Co-op and 5th Square
South Philly Co-op and 5th Square are hosting a panel discussion at Industrious on November 13th with Christine Knapp (Office of Sustainability, PSCA), Jamie Gauthier (Fairmount Park Conservancy), Jana Hirsch (Drexel), Andrew Zitcer (Drexel), Steve Jackson (MPH), and Andrew Svekla (DVRPC) about '10-Minute Communities.' Learn more about the benefits of planning for walkable mixed-use communities for health, accessibility, the environment, and neighborhood economies, and how to make this a reality for more neighborhoods in Philadelphia.
Tuesday, November 13th, 7:00 pm
Philly YIMBY Mixer at Jose Pistola's
After the '10-Minute Communities' discussion, head over to Jose Pistolas for a social mixer with Philly YIMBY—5th Square's housing advocacy initiative—to connect other advocates supporting more walkable, transit-friendly neighborhoods and better planning politics in Philadelphia.
Wednesday, November 14th, 6:00 pm
FDR Park Master Plan Community Meeting
The second community meeting about the FDR Park Master Plan is on Wednesday from 6-8pm at South Philly High. Park users will be able to weigh in on different potential scenarios for the future of the park. Free refreshments and child care provided.
Thursday, November 15th, 6:00 pm
Route for Change - Roosevelt Boulevard Public Workshop
Weigh in on long-term plans for transforming Roosevelt Boulevard at the third public workshop this Thursday, hosted by OTIS. Thursday's meeting is at 4301 N Broad Street and is accessible by the BSL, and bus routes R, 1, 16, and 53.
Friday, November 16th, 6:30 pm
Women Led Cities Happy Hour
Katrina Johnston-Zimmerman and the Women Led Cities team are hosting a happy hour this Friday at 600 Spring Garden
NEWS
Congratulations to incoming State Representative-elect Malcolm Kenyatta on his historic win in the 181st District election last Tuesday! 5th Square endorsed Kenyatta in 2018, and we look forward to working together on critical state issues facing 181st district residents, like better transit, access to jobs, and improved community spaces.
Parkway owner Joe Zuritsky bizarrely suggests that if parking lots become too scarce, people might start tearing down high-rises to put more parking in—which of course is exactly what they do in places like New York City. "We think that is a disaster," he said. "What are you going to do, start tearing down these high-rise buildings?" What we're going to do in a world with less parking is run buses more frequently, give the buses their own dedicated lanes, start converting more curb parking to bike lanes, further reduce or eliminate off-street parking requirements, and really lean into a shift toward transit and active transportation as the main way people get around greater Center City and University City.
The Civic Design Review committee voted to make the Spring Garden self-storage developer come back for another advisory-only meeting after the proposal—which would put a large self-storage facility just steps from the Spring Garden Street BSL station—was roundly panned by Callowhill residents.
Temple student Yasmine Hamou is advocating for bundling SEPTA discounted passes into tuition as a new member of SEPTA's Youth Advisory Council. Institutional fares like university passes are a big advocacy priority for 5th Square's new Transit Committee, and have the potential to greatly increase students' access to the city, reduce student vehicles in campus neighborhoods, and provide a large and predictable new revenue stream for SEPTA City Transit.
SEPTA will begin charging for parking at all their regional rail stations. Seven stations that had previously offered free parking will begin charging drivers $1.25 a day, or $25 for a monthly pass.
Here's what the $181 million bond that voters approved last Tuesday will pay for
A federal judge could force SEPTA to overturn their blanket ban on political advertising later this month
OPPORTUNITIES
PIDC is hiring an Opportunity Zone Consultant
William Penn Foundation is hiring a Communications Associate
DVRPC is hiring for several transportation positions, including a Transportation Planner, a Modeler/Engineer, and a Planner/Research Analyst
The Water Department is hiring a Deputy Commissioner for Communication and Engagement
PIDC released an RFP for 1100 Wharton Street, the complex of municipal buildings and parking lots behind the Acme on Passyunk
ULI-Philadelphia is seeking applicants for their mentorship program
The City is hiring a Communications Specialist for Rebuild, and a Citywide Civic Engagement Manager
Germantown United CDC and South Kensington Community Partners are both hiring NAC Managers
5th Square is Philadelphia's urbanist political action committee. We're an all-volunteer grassroots organization advocating for safe and affordable transportation, abundant housing, and more and better public spaces. You’re receiving this email if you signed up via our website, attended one of our events, or supported one of our advocacy campaigns. Support our advocacy with a recurring monthly contribution of $5.