🚍 TOMORROW: February Monthly Zoom Meet-up & Better Buses Campaign Intro
5th Square, Philly's urbanist PAC and advocacy organization, is hosting our February monthly meet-up on Zoom TOMORROW evening, February 18th, from 7-8pm, and this month we'll be talking transit, with a focus on SEPTA's upcoming redesign of our region's bus network.
We are welcoming Yasha Zarrinkelk, Coalition Organizer at Transit Forward Philadelphia, who will be previewing the coalition's Better Buses Platform with priorities for the bus network redesign.
We will also provide some exciting updates to our Regional Rail petition and the Chestnut Hill West line, and preview what else our transit committee is working on for 2021 with info on how you can get involved!
🏠 AARP ACCESSORY DWELLINGS WEBINAR
Our friends at AARP PA will be hosting a webinar panel about the 2021 Housing Crisis and how legalizing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) can be part of the solution here in Philadelphia.
Event is Tomorrow, February 18th, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM -- RSVP Here.
As housing costs climb and households get smaller, demand for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) has increased. Working with the City of Philadelphia Livable Community Network, AARP Pennsylvania will host a free webinar to discuss the benefits, policy, planning, permitting, and building process for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
This webinar will offer a snapshot of the current ADU landscape across the nation and share best practices from cities and states that have taken recent steps to make ADU housing more broadly available.
This webinar is open to the public, but registration is required.
🚧 SAFETY FOR SPRING GARDEN STREET
THANK YOU to everyone who responded to the city's survey for the Spring Garden Street Improvement Project.
Two of their main conclusions from the survey are that:
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Pedestrians and bicyclists want safety improvements on Spring Garden Street.
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Participants were overwhelmingly in favor of curbside parking protected bicycle lanes
If the City follows the public's lead on this, it'll be a huge win for safety along this very important—and very dangerous—corridor. Next, the City will move into its engineering and design phases for the project, and we'll continue to update you on their progress.
Read more about the results of this survey in
PHILLY'S NEW BUDGET PRIORITIES SURVEY
On April 15, 2021, Mayor Kenney will propose a budget to City Council for the coming fiscal year which starts July 1, 2021. Due to COVID-19, the City is facing difficult budget choices this year. The City has less resources than in the past but know Philadelphians have more needs than ever before. Before the City finishes drafting the budget, it wants to hear from you for where it should focus its spending by Sunday, February 28, 2021.
- Philadelphia Budget – Priorities and Preferences
- Presupuesto de Filadelfia - Prioridades y Preferencias
- Ngân sách Philadelphia – Ưu tiên và Ưu đãi
- 费城预算 - 优先事项和偏好
ACTION: SUPPORT THE E-BIKE ACT
The Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment (E-BIKE) Act would relieve 30% of the cost (up to $1,500) of a new electric bicycle for consumers. Electric bicycles have the ability to displace car trips by keeping people moving with efficiency and ease, no matter their age or physical abilities. An all-in approach to reducing carbon emissions to combat climate change must recognize the ability of electric bicycles to take cars off the road and keep people moving, active and connected to their communities.
Use this page to encourage your representative to co-sponsor the bill. If your representative is already co-sponsoring the bill, a thank you note will be sent instead!
UPCOMING 5TH SQUARE EVENT
The Center for Property Tax Reform & 5th Square | REBUILD. REENVISION. REFORM. How a Land Value Tax Would Impact Philadelphia
COVID-19 has impacted everyone from all corners of the globe. However, Philadelphia – already struggling with issues ranging from gentrification, to blight, to regressive taxation – has been dealt a serious blow to its economy and tax base due to the pandemic. Can a simple reimagining of one of the City’s most familiar taxes make a difference to help keep long-time residents in their homes, encourage private investment, and shore up the city's tax base in the time of social distancing and beyond? Hear from Councilmembers Derek Green and Maria Quinones-Sanchez, and former Councilmember Wilson Goode, Jr, along with speakers from the Center for Property Tax Reform.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🚴 MOBILITY
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
GRANT, PROJECT, & TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities | State Policy Fellowship Program
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is seeking applicants for the State Policy Fellowship Program to work on budget and public policy issues affecting low- and moderate-income communities and communities of color. (Due 2/19)
FitCityPHL | Design for Humanity: Reimagining Trauma-Informed Practice, Power, and Process in Pursuit of a Just Future
The PIDC-D’Alessio Scholarship Fund supports graduate students at Philadelphia schools seeking to pursue a career in urban development and finance (Due 3/31)
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Philly Transit Riders Union | Full-Time Organizer
Looney Ricks Kiss | Architectural Designer 1 / Entry Level Philadelphia
Riverfront North Partnership | Stewardship Manager
ACHIEVEability | 60th St. Small Business Manager
DBi Services, LLC | Senior Project Operations Manager
Go Green Initiative | Program Manager, Student Initiatives
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