🌆 TELL MAYOR KENNEY: VETO EXCLUSIONARY ZONING OVERLAY IN SOCIETY HILL

Councilmanic Prerogative won another round for exclusionary zoning, and City Council passed Councilmember Mark Squilla's zoning overlay for Society Hill.

While that's not what we hoped for, the fact that Councilmember Squilla re-introduced the bill after Mayor Kenney vetoed it last year suggested he was intent on passing it.

The Kenney administration once again has the opportunity to veto the bill. Director of Planning and Development Anne Fadullon had called the bill "exclusionary".

We're pivoting our petition action to focus on the Mayor, and asking petition signers to call or email Mayor Kenney's office to demand that he veto Bill 200094.

Call (215) 686-2181 or email Mayor Kenney today

Can you take a minute to sign this petition opposing the bill (#200094)? 

🚉 READ OUR OP-ED ON REGIONAL RAIL EQUITY

5th Square Transit organizers Camille Boggan and Krista Guerrieri are in WHYY's PlanPhilly with an op-ed about our push to restore regional rail service, and fundamentally reimagine how it works as part of the transit network.

Picture a rail system that complements the rest of SEPTA’s network: Trains arriving every 15 minutes, fares that match the subway, and free transfers. Imagine how much this would aid our region’s people of color, ​many of whom are essential workers still commuting to their jobs.

We need a fundamental change in how SEPTA sees the regional rail service, with a real shift in capital budget to deliver on this. It’s time to make it a part of the frequent transit network.

Join nearly 800 people and sign onto our campaign to bring back RR service that was suspended, and lower fares to the transit rate.

Also, check out the recording of our webinar from last week on this issue featuring Dr. Vukan Vuchic about what an integrated system would mean for riders.

🗳️ LOOK UP YOUR NEW POLLING PLACE

The Philadelphia City Commissioners have confirmed most of the official polling places for the November 3rd election as well as the locations of “satellite election offices” where you can vote absentee in-person before Election Day.

Use our interactive map to look up where your polling place is, as it may be different from where you usually vote. 

⌚ WANT TO VOTE EARLY?

Head to one of Philly's satellite election offices. They're even open on weekends! Reduced lines on election day benefits everyone.

For hours and locations, visit this page by the Philadelphia City Commissioners. These locations are your one stop shop to register (until Oct. 19), apply, receive, and return your ballot all in a single visit.

📮 DROP BOXES ARE OPEN

The drop boxes at City Hall and 520 N Columbus Blvd (Columbus Blvd side of the building) are now in operation!

🍽️ OUTDOOR DINING IS HELPING RESTAURANT RECOVERY

WHYY reports - 

The proliferation of outdoor seating has been a major driver in the rapid recovery of Center City restaurants since June, according to a detailed new survey from the Center City District and Central Philadelphia Development Corporation.

Philadelphia City Councilmember Allan Domb introduced two bills that would extend outdoor dining regulations through 2021.

Mayor Kenney is in support, but "worried about angering pedestrians or drivers." Kenney said he was “not ready to commit” to making the regulations permanent.

Call (215) 686-2181 or email Mayor Kenney today and ask him to publicly support bills #200497 and #200498 extending current street seating and street closure rules for an additional year.

RCO OPPORTUNITIES

• Queen Village Neighbors Association – QVNA's board election is November 16, 2020. The ballot will include six positions. https://qvna.org/2020/09/10/board-of-director-nominations-now-open/

GRANT / PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES

Feet First Philly | New Mini-Grant Program

Philadelphia communities face substantial hurdles when attempting to reinvent public space, especially in communities of color. Feet First Philly is partnering with the Department of Public Health to provide funding for mini-grants to create public space amenities, particularly in underserved communities. (Due 12/15/20)

Northern Liberties Neighbors Association | Website Redesign - Request for Proposals

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

The Philadelphia Foundation | Grantmaking Operations Associate

The City of Philadelphia’s Energy Office | Data Analyst

Montgomery County, PA Planning Commission | Principal Transportation Planner

The City of Philadelphia | Clerical Assistant

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) | Associate Director of Meadowbrook Farm, Chief Marketing Officer, Development Services Officer, Human Resources Intern, Marketing & Communications Intern - Spring 2021, Philadelphia LandCare Field Specialist, Tree Specialist

Nikil Saval | State Senate Staff

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey | Senior Analyst – Data Science

For Our Future Pennsylvania | Canvasser

Houwzer | Program Manager

CoStar | Architectural Photographer, Advertising Sales Associate

South Kensington Community Partners | Greening Programs Coordinator

Philadelphia Community Corps | Board of Directors

The Public Interest Law Center | Staff Attorney

Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) | Procurement and Contracts Specialist

Exact Solar | Office Assistant & Documentation Specialist

Neighborhood Gardens Trust | Temporary Digital Communications Manager

PhilaPort (The Port of Philadelphia): Director Of Business Development

Benefits Data Trust (BDT) seeks an Associate Director of Partnerships

Rebuild - The City of Philadelphia | Community Engagement Director

Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC) | Program Analyst, Philadelphia

The West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance | Executive Director - Paul Robeson House & Museum

Azavea | People Operations Coordinator

City of Philadelphia | Assistant Budget Director of Capital