📛 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.
These meet-ups are casual social gatherings, and are intended as a fun way for new and existing supporters to connect with other people involved with 5th Square and urbanist issues in Philadelphia, either professionally or in a volunteer/activist capacity, and learn more about what our all-volunteer organization is up to. If you've been meaning to check out one of our events or meetings but haven't made it out yet, this will be a good first one to come to. And please bring a friend or two!
👍 VOTE 'YES' ON BALLOT QUESTION 4
Should Philly mandate an annual cash infusion to the Housing Trust Fund?
Vote YES on ballot question 4 to guarantee funding for affordable housing. If this was in already in effect, an additional $25 million in taxpayer dollars would have gone to affordable housing this year.
Read more about this measure in Billy Penn.
Find the full Billy Penn procrastinator’s guide to the November 2021 election here.
🍂 HELP US REACH 300 MEMBERS!
Become a 5th Square member TODAY & get 50% off our sweatshirt among other member perks.
5TH SQUARE IN THE NEWS
🚮 CAN VOLUNTEERS REPLACE STREET CLEANING? TL;DR -- NO
WHYY's Meir Rinde covers what volunteers are doing about the persistent trash problem that affects neighborhoods across the city. The article depicts the herculean efforts of Matthew George and his program, I Love Thy Hood, which distributes trash cans across the City.
It also quotes 5th Square member David Brindley as he expresses his dismay on how volunteers alone cannot solve our litter problem without the City doing it's part.
"I could no longer speak at neighborhood association meetings and implore citizens to ‘do our part’ while the city government did not,” Brindley said. “A beautiful, walkable city like Philadelphia needs trash cans and sweeping on every block as a core function of government. Instead, they seem to rely solely on volunteer labor. Our small initiative demonstrated that our citizens are awesome, but they are no substitute for government."
🚌 SEPTA BUS REVOLUTION TRADEOFF SURVEY
SEPTA is preparing to redesign its bus network and wants to hear from riders! Take a minute to fill out their bus tradeoff survey, and say:
- YES to faster service
- YES to dedicated bus lanes
- YES to higher frequencies
Plus, you’ll have a chance to win one of 10 $25 Visa gift cards!
FEATURED EVENT
APA PA / Webinar Wednesday: Transit Supportive Community Development
Wedneday, November 3, 2021, 12:00pm - 1:15 PM
Frequent, all-day transit service is only one piece of the puzzle in creating a seamless, total lifestyle transit network, which is a key goal set in SEPTA Forward, the Authority’s Strategic Plan. We also need to ensure that development near stations and along frequent transit corridors supports ridership.
To do so, SEPTA is launching a comprehensive Transit Supportive Community Development program to promote equitable, mixed-use development that improves safety, ensures environmental justice and sustainability, and creates a seamless network of multimodal transportation options, among other critical goals. This program will support SEPTA’s efforts to implement our Strategic Plan and aligns with the Authority’s vision of transit at the core of our region.
Join us for a panel discussion on Wednesday November 3rd at noon to learn more about SEPTA’s new initiative and hear from transit-oriented development practitioners from Pennsylvania and a special guest from the San Francisco region on best practices.
EVENTS
Stand Up! Against Street Harassment with Hollaback! and The eQuality Project
Wedneday, November 3, 2021, 2:00pm
Calling all SEPTA riders -- after the recent horrific events on the Market-Frankford Line, please sign up for this virtual bystander intervention training which will teach riders 5 strategies for interrupting harassment and assault in public spaces.
Wednesday Night Rides / South Philly
Wedneday, November 3, 2021, 7:00pm
Philly social bike rides, Wednesday nights, every two weeks. Last ride before DST ends! Cross the Schuylkill twice! Ride Devil's Pocket & Girard Estates.
Thursday, November 4, 2021, 5:30 p.m.
Join PlanPhilly for a virtual panel discussion featuring local restaurateurs, policymakers and accessibility advocates about the future of street dining.
SURVEYS
WHAT WE'RE READING
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
GRANT, PROJECT, & EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Feet First Philly - Public Space Enhancement Mini-Grant
We are launching the second round of our public space enhancement mini-grant program. Community groups, businesses, and individuals are encouraged to download our RFP and apply. Grants range from $500 to $2000. Apply NOW - Nov 8th.
West Philadelphia Skills Initiative - Patient Services Associate Application
Recruitment is now open across Philadelphia for training & job opportunities as Patient Services Associates at @PennMedicine. We’re seeking compassionate, patient-focused, & computer-proficient individuals w/ experience in customer service: Deadline is Friday, November 12 at 5pm.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
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.