We are deeply saddened by the passing of Tanya Seaman yesterday, March 17th, 2022, after a courageous battle with terminal cancer. Tanya was a tireless advocate for Vision Zero in Philadelphia and our world is better off for having her. She was co-founder and past executive director of PhillyCarShare. In her role as co-chair of SOSNA's vision zero committee, she spearheaded multiple roadway safety projects in her community.  Her advocacy and leadership will endure in Philadelphia's built environment with everybody who uses our streets enjoying a safer and more-equitable means of travel. We are posthumously publishing the op-ed she wrote advocating for a safer Washington Avenue. Continue reading

Weekly Newsletter, Issue 173 🚮 LITTER FREE STREETS AT LAST...? The City is holding virtual meetings via Zoom about the upcoming Mechanical Cleaning Pilot Program on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week. The street cleanings will be starting on April 4th in 14 different neighborhoods: North Central, Frankford, Germantown, Kensington, Logan, Nicetown, Paschall, Point Breeze, Port Richmond, South Philly (Lower Moyamensing), Southwest, Strawberry Mansion, West Fairhill, and West Philly. Zoom ID: 836 7765 6475Passcode: 127032Phone dial-in number: 267-831-0333 Tuesday, March 15, at noonTuesday, March 15, at 3 p.m.Wednesday, March 16, at 6 p.m.Thursday, March 17, at 10 a.m.Thursday, March 17 at 6 p.m. Continue reading

Weekly Newsletter, Issue 172 🤝🍻 MEMBERS-ONLY EVENT: 2022 CANDIDATES MEET & GREET Did you sign up for a membership already? Do you want to be a member? Come join us at Buffalo Billiards in Old City and get to know the candidates running in your district, hear their takes on urbanist topics, and sign their petitions to get on the ballot. Thursday, March 10th, 2022 at 6:30 PM Continue reading

5th Square members and volunteers came to SEPTA's FY2022 Capital Budget Amendment hearings today to advocate for Bus Revolution Trolley Modernization Subway Station Accessibility Reimagining Regional Rail Here is the spoken testimony delivered at the virtual public meeting today by 5th Square members and volunteers. Continue reading

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASETuesday, March 1, 2022 PHILADELPHIA — Today, Philadelphia’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure and Sustainability (OTIS) announced that they are proceeding with the ‘Mixed Layout’ option for Washington Avenue. Continue reading

Weekly Newsletter, Issue 170 📢 REMINDER: PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE FOR WASHINGTON AVE The city is holding a public Open House for Washington Ave tonight, March 1st @ 6:30 PM, to unveil the final plans. It will be held in person at the Christian Street YMCA (1724 Christian St), following COVID-19 guidelines, and a virtual option on Facebook Live. Continue reading

Weekly Newsletter, Issue 170 📢 PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE FOR WASHINGTON AVE The city announced the location of their public Open House for Washington Ave, where they plan on releasing the final-final-final plans for this roadway on Tuesday, March 1st @ 6:30 PM. Continue reading

Weekly Newsletter, Issue 169 ✍️ KEEP UP THE PRESSURE AT WASHINGTON AVENUE This weekend, we were out on our Washington Ave Families event, making signs and postcards against the street layout changes. Continue reading

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEThursday, February 10, 2022PHILADELPHIA — On Monday, 5th Square established its Safer Washington Avenue Fund, specifically dedicated to electing Philadelphia candidates who will pledge to uphold the City's stated Vision Zero goals. In four days, it has drawn more than $10,000 in donations. Continue reading

Weekly Newsletter, Issue 168 ✉️ WASHINGTON AVENUE IN JEOPARDY We are asking everyone to contact OTIS, the Mayor, and Councilmembers Johnson & Squilla to tell them we want the safest possible option for Washington Ave -- the original 3-lane layout. Continue reading

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESunday, February 6, 2022PHILADELPHIA — Yesterday, the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability (OTIS) released its update on the Washington Avenue Repaving and Improvement Project which backtracked from their September 2020 “Final Design Decision.” The City’s new plan eliminates the safest roadway layout, the 3-lane layout, from consideration in its design. Continue reading

Weekly Newsletter, Issue 167 🎩 RUN FOR A COMMITTEE PERSON SEAT IN 2022 Want to take the next step up toward neighborhood political leadership, and help 5th Square support great candidates for office in the 2022 and 2023 elections? Continue reading

Weekly Newsletter, Issue 166 🏗️ BOOK EVENT: CONFESSIONS OF A RECOVERING ENGINEER Join 5th Square and friends for a guest talk by Chuck Marohn, founder of Strong Towns, at Philly Office Retail at 4701 Germantown Ave. Continue reading

Weekly Newsletter, Issue 165 ✅🚲🏙️ JOIN US FOR THE 2022 ELECTIONS Help us decide which Philly-area candidates to support for 2022 races in the PA State Senate and PA State House. Continue reading

Weekly Newsletter, Issue 164 ☃️ HOLIDAY PARTY INVITATION You're invited to our fun year-end Holiday Party at 990 Spring Garden on Wednesday, December 22nd at 7 PM, where we'll be holding off our Third Annual Urbanist Awards ceremony! Continue reading

Weekly Newsletter, Issue 163 🏆 Nominate Your Faves for Our Annual Urbanist Awards! We are taking nominations for the following categories through Friday, December 10th: Continue reading

Weekly Newsletter, Issue 162 📛 MEETUP THIS THURSDAY Join 5th Square organizers and volunteers for an informal, in-person meet-up in West Philly this Thursday at 6 PM. This is an indoor/outdoor, family-friendly event where we will provide updates on our recent campaigns and talk about what's in store as we start to wrap up 2021. Continue reading

Weekly Newsletter, Issue 161 📛 NOVEMBER MEETUP Join 5th Square organizers and volunteers for an informal, in-person meet-up in West Philly at 42nd & Pine. This is an indoor/outdoor, family-friendly event where we will provide updates on our recent campaigns and talk about what's in store as we start to wrap up 2021. Continue reading

Weekly Newsletter, Issue 160 🔊 ACTION: TELL PENNDOT TO SUPPORT WALKING, BIKING & TRANSIT PennDOT is seeking input on the Draft Pennsylvania 2045 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) until TOMORROW, 10/19. Continue reading

Weekly Newsletter, Issue 159 👓 PUTTING THE EYE IN TRANSIT THIS WEDNESDAY, October 13, 6:00pm - In Person ⁠Join DesignPhiladelphia for Putting the Eye in Transit: The Research Behind SEPTA’s New Wayfinding System, an in-person panel discussion organized by the Weitzman School. Continue reading