Neighborhood Slow Zone Campaign Resources, Center City Transpo Survey, Reviving Vine report
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QUICK ACTION
Are you interested in applying for a Neighborhood Slow Zone in your neighborhood? Check out some cool new advocacy tools on our new 'Neighborhood Slow Zone' Campaign Resources page to help you organize a campaign 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 organizing support.
Work in Center City? Take Center City District's 2018 Office District Transportation Survey, which includes questions about the JFK and Market bike lanes
Ride Indego? Take their 2018 Bike Share User Survey
EVENTS
Thursday, November 1st, 8:00 am
Design Advocacy Group - The Delaware River
Joe Forkin, President of Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, is the guest speaker at DAG's monthly morning meeting. Forkins will share updates on DRWC's investments in parks and trails, and ongoing challenges for waterfront planning and zoning
Thursday, November 1st, 6:30 pm
GRASP - Elizabeth Fiedler and Al Schmidt
Grassroots Advocacy for South Philadelphia hosts 181st District State Rep. candidate Elizabeth Fiedler and City Commissioner Al Schmidt at their November monthly meeting.
Thursday, November 1st, 7:00 pm
Fitler Square Neighbors - Fall General Meeting with OTIS
Fitler Square Neighbors, a newly-formed RCO for Fitler Square, is hosting representatives from the Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability and the Streets Department at their Fall general meeting. Neighbors interested in building on the recent improvements 22nd Street bike lane are encouraged to attend.
Saturday, November 3, 9:30am-2:00pm
Iron Sharpens Iron Fall 2018
PACDC hosts a seminar on building the power of emerging community leaders between the ages of 16-22. Participants will obtain tools and resources that enhance their capacity to more effectively communicate with and mobilize neighborhood stakeholders for successful social change.
Thursday, 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 conversation at Industrious on November 13th with Christine Knapp (Office of Sustainability, PSCA), Jamie Gauthier (Fairmount Park Conservancy), Andrew Zitcer (Drexel), and Steve Jackson (MPH) about '10-minute communities' on November 13th. Learn about all about the benefits for health, accessibility, the environment, and neighborhood economies when we plan for walkable mixed-use communities.
Thursday, November 13th, 7:00 pm
Philly YIMBY Mixer at Jose Pistola's
After learning all about the benefits of planning walkable mixed-use neighborhoods at the '10-Minute Communities' discussion, head over to Jose Pistolas to meet other people interested in making it happen in the political arena. Join Philly YIMBY for a mixer on November 13th, from 7-8:30 pm to meet other people advocating for more walkable housing and better planning politics in Philadelphia.
NEWS
Andrew Stober of University City District writes that the hardest part of implementing the Kenney's Connect transportation plan will be summoning the political will to change our approach, especially when it comes to streets. "In order to bring systemic change to our streets, bolder actions will be needed: removing parking to create loading zones that meet increased delivery demand, creating dedicated lanes for buses during peak travel hours to speed the travel of dozens of riders over a single driver, employers offering new incentives for staff to choose transit instead of driving, and expanding the city’s network of protected bike lanes."
The Kenney administration still won't commit to siting and emptying more street trash cans, even after their own study showed that areas without cans have more litter. They're also declining to commit to street sweeping, which then-candidate Jim Kenney promised to do in the 5th Square 2015 questionnaire. "Administration officials have cited insufficient funds as the reason that the campaign promise has gone unfulfilled. But skeptics say the issue has proved too politically sensitive because residents in dense row house neighborhoods don’t like moving their cars from precious parking spots near their homes."
The new Reviving Vine report from DVRPC makes a number of recommendations for traffic calming on Vine Street, including reducing crossing distance for pedestrians and slowing vehicle speeds. "The proposed lane configuration is complemented by additional recommendations to decrease crossing distances, reduce vehicle speeds, and create inviting open spaces. All of these recommendations seek to mitigate the negative impacts of the Vine Street Expressway and adjoining roads in response to community concerns."
The International Code Council just approved the use of mass timber as a building material for up to 18 stories, which could reduce mid-rise construction costs if adopted locally. Philadelphia will need to get permission again from the state to update our local building codes.
The City is hosting three public workshops about long-term solutions to transform Roosevelt Boulevard, on November 8th, 14th, and 15th.
Cedar Park zoning meeting attendees strongly supported a proposal for a new mixed-use building at 5050 Baltimore Ave last week. We had promoted this meeting in last week's newsletter.
Housing and transportation policy are the same, these graphics show
OPPORTUNITIES
Germantown United CDC and South Kensington Community Partners are both hiring NAC Managers
Apply to be on the new Parent and Community Advisory Council for the School District. 12 individuals will be selected.
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.