👕 SHOW OFF YOUR URBANIST CRED WITH OUR NEW T-SHIRT!
Show your support for better city planning, transit, bike lanes and housing with our new T-Shirt designed by Philly-based artist Miriam Singer!
T-Shirts are $20 /// Sweatshirts are $40
Become a 5th Square member today and get 50% off!
Show your support a more livable and sustainable city by becoming a member and rocking this cool shirt TODAY!
🌳 LIVABLE COMMUNITIES RALLY AT CITY HALL
Join 5th Square among many other advocacy groups by attending the Livable Communities Network Rally at Philadelphia City Hall on Tuesday, May 4th at 4 PM.
5th Square is joining with AARP and many other advocacy organization partners as part of the Philadelphia Livable Communities Network in order to advance the 2020 Livable Communities: Age-Friendly Philadelphia Action Plan in the next City budget.
Read the sign-on letter the Livable Community Network is sending to City Council. It advocates for increased funding for most of our aligned goals, including Housing Trust, Parks & Rec, Commercial Corridor Cleaning, Vision Zero, and Sidewalks.
Want to add your voice to how the City will spend its money? Sign onto our budget priorities petition and let Council know that we want livable communities.
🗳️ PRIMARY ELECTION DAY INFO
The next primary election is on May 18, 2021.
Mail in ballots: The ballots are already arriving in the mail. Unfortunately, we have to request mail-in ballots every year. You can request your mail ballot here (deadline to request is 5/11, but do it right now). You need to get the ballot to the City by election day 5/18 8:00 pm. Here is a list of the voting drop boxes. Or you can mail it.
Voter Registration: You can check your voter registration here and, if you need to, you can register here on line (deadline to vote in primary is 5/3).
In person voting: Polls are open on election day from 7 A.M. - 8 P.M. You can check your voting location here.
Election Links:
- Committee of 70 Primary Election Voter Guide - Philadelphia
- Philadelphia Bar Association recommendations
- Spotlight PA's guide to the four ballot questions.
5TH SQUARE IN THE NEWS
🍽️ OUTDOOR DINING & ACCESSIBILITY
Ryan Briggs of WHYY wrote about how the streeteries at the 1500 block of Sansom St have become the victims of their own success. In the article, he quotes 5th Square co-founder Dena Driscoll:
What they’ve done by shutting down the whole street is really made it inaccessible... I would love to see the street shut down to cars all the time. But we don’t just want to swap out private cars for private business.
Here at 5th Square, we believe streets need to be open and accessible to people first-and-foremost over private automobiles. We fully support using streets space for outdoor dining but believe that street space must also be accessible to pedestrians of all ages and abilities.
SURVEYS
Philly Tree Plan Survey - Shape the future of 
in Philly! Philadelphia is developing a 10-year strategic plan for future planting and care of Philly's trees based on the experiences and needs of Philadelphians. Complete the public survey here.
PennDOT 2021 Automated Vehicles Survey - The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced the launch of a survey designed to gain an understanding of Pennsylvanians' perceptions and knowledge of automated vehicles. The survey seeks to gauge Pennsylvanians' understanding of the technology, level of comfort and expectations.
MUTCD Comment - Demand Safe Road Designs For Pedestrians - The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) dictates how roads are built in the US and has for far too long benefitted driver convenience over pedestrian safety and mobility. The first major update of the MUTCD in over a decade is currently being revised and taking public comment. we urge you to take this opportunity to weigh in and demand more protections and amenities for our roadways’ most vulnerable users.
EVENT
Thursday, May 13, 2021 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
DSVGA / Charles Brown on Race and Transportation
The Delaware Valley Smart Growth Alliance is hosting Charles Brown of the Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers to discuss race and transportation in our region and how planners and other smart growth professionals can respond to the imperative of centering racial equity in our transportation ecosystem.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
🚴 MOBILITY
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
The Housing Alliance is looking for session ideas and presenter interest for the 17th Annual Homes Within Reach Conference from December 1-3, 2021 at the Hershey Lodge. This year's theme is The Road from Surviving to Thriving. As the country and the Commonwealth move toward the end of the pandemic, we must break down the barriers that keep people from living healthy, fulfilled, and comfortable lives. (Due 5/14)
The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) is seeking proposals from individuals, artisans, or local businesses to lease space and operate a high-quality and unique retail operation on the boardwalk in Spruce Street Harbor Park (SSHP). The experience or concept offering should reflect the vision and values of Spruce Street Harbor Park.
PA Dept of Health WalkWorks - Funding Opportunity Announcement for the Development of Active Transportation Plans and Policies to Establish Activity-Friendly Routes that Connect to Everyday Destinations. Due 5/14
PHFA - 2022 Housing Policy Fellowship Program Application - The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency ("PHFA") is accepting applications for the 2022 Housing Policy Fellowship Program. The Fellowship will provide an opportunity for the selected recipient to undertake a project/program that addresses a housing issue of significant interest/relevance to the applicant. PHFA is attempting to create a cadre of new leaders that will think creatively and broadly about possible solutions to the ongoing affordable housing needs of Commonwealth residents. Due 6/18
2020 Latinos and Planning Division Student Scholarship - The purpose of the LAP scholarship program is to foster increased interest in the study of urban planning within the Latinx student population at the advanced undergraduate and graduate levels. The program is open to third and fourth year undergraduate students and first and second year masters degree students. One scholarship of $500 will be awarded to be used for fees, books, or academic materials. Due 5/31
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
East Coast Greenway Alliance /
Character Lab / UX Strategist
NLArts community art program / Executive Director
Mural Arts Philadelphia / Manager of Tours and Group Sales, Project Manager, WorkReady Program Coordinator
Nerd Street Gamers /
The Economy League of Greater Philadelphia / Director, Greater Philadelphia Leadership Exchange, Communications Manager
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.
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