🥪 NORTHWEST MEETUP ON THURSDAY!
Our next meet-up has moved to THIS THURSDAY, June 9nd at 6 PM over at Manayunk Crossing (next to the movie theater)! We will be discussing mobility, safe streets, and access to transit specific to Northwest Philly neighborhoods.
We are honored to host the following guests:
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Tarik Khan - Democratic Nominee for State Rep in the 194th district.
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SEPTA staff who will update us on the Wissahickon Transit Center Project.
🛠️ SUPPORT FOR WHOLE HOME REPAIRS
5th Square supports the Whole Home Repairs Act, and you should too! Join us and Saval's office THIS Friday, June 10th - 6:00 PM at Cartesian Brewing (1326 E. Passyunk Ave).
Senator Nikil Saval has been working hard to pass the Whole-Home Repairs Act; a bipartisan bill that creates a one-stop shop for home repairs and weatherization while building out our workforce and creating new jobs. This act would help PA residents avoid displacement, reduce their energy costs, and stabilize neighborhoods at risk of falling into blight.
Can't make it to the event? Sign up here to help get this much-needed legislation past the finish line.
😡 (STILL) MAD ABOUT WASHINGTON AVE
Ask City Council to prioritize safety for Washington Ave.
Kimberly Paynter/WHYY
Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson rebuked the road safety changes on Washington Ave, and even the Inquirer has called him out for potentially endangering his constituents.
Read this new PlanPhilly Op-Ed by two local parents pleading City Council for safety in their neighborhood.
Make a difference by contacting his office and telling him that a safer Washington Ave benefits everyone in the community.
Call Councilmember Johnson's office: (215) 686-3412, (215) 686-3413
If prompted, leave a voicemail for Director of Legislation: Joshu Harris.
We are disappointed by this turn of events, exposing the charade of community input in a City where Councilmembers can act as feudal lords who can disregard science and survey results.
Support our ongoing efforts for a more sustainable, walkable, and bicycle-friendly Philadelphia! All contributions go to supporting elected officials and campaigns that shape the city.
Become a 5th Square member TODAY & help us decide who to endorse in the next election!
🚧 UPCOMING TRANSIT IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) has released the draft Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) for Pennsylvania, which directs how to spend federal transportation money. Lots of projects are listed this year, like stops on the Broad Street Line and improvements to Cobbs Creek Parkway. There's an interactive map that gives you more details about the various projects, and the full document is available as a PDF. The main website has more information and breaks down the TIP into smaller chapters.
Comments for the next PA TIP are open and can be submitted via the map website. A Zoom meeting will be held to show you how to make public comments on the Draft DVRPC FY2023 TIP on Thursday, June 16 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Registration required.
EVENTS
Cutting Through the Budget BS: Unpacking the Black Box of City Spending
Wed, June 8, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM EDT
Parks on Tap at the Water Works (640 Waterworks Drive)
Billy Penn is partnering with good government group Better Civics and the Office of the City Controller to host a happy hour about the municipal budget, featuring Jordan Levy (Billy Penn), Rebecca Rhynhart (Philadelphia City Controller), and Jen Devor (Better Civics). This event is free, but advance RSVP is required.
Thu, June 9, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM EDT (Virtual)
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell will be discussing the master plan to redesign the FDR Park in South Philadelphia.
City's Biggest Pool Party and Rally
Tuesday, June 14, from 4-6pm
Sayre-Morris Rec Center (5835 Spruce St)
Do you have a closed pools in your neighborhood? Do you have multiple closed pools in your neighborhood? Join our efforts to bring attention to ALL the pools closed in city starting with Sayre Recreation Center.
Vision Zero: Cecil B. Moore Information Pop-up
Tuesday, June 14, anytime from 4-7pm
1520 Cecil B. Moore Avenue (the corner of Cecil B. Moore Ave. and Sydenham St.)
Do you walk, bike or drive on Cecil B. Moore from Willington St. to 10th St.? Stop by this informational pop-up to learn about traffic safety recommendations for the corridor.
SURVEYS & EMAIL ACTIONS
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Senator Wayne Langerholc has a Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) survey out. He wants coal-fired power plants to stay open, but this is a huge danger to our climate future. Tell him that we need to transition away from coal and put our efforts into renewable energy!
- 2022 CCD Customer Satisfaction Survey - A good way to tell Center City District to spend its money wisely.
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Permanent public restroom survey - The City of Philadelphia has funding to pilot one permanent public restroom in Center City, and will be using this survey to gauge interest in more public restrooms and amenities. Note: the gender demographics questions are awkward, but you can use the "other" category instead.
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School District of Phila - Early Dismissal Survey - Next year’s Academic Calendar includes days where students are dismissed early. The District is seeking feedback from families on their plans and needs for after-school childcare on early dismissal days.
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PennDOT is conducting a survey for the I-95 Girard Interchange. This covers Allegheny Avenue south through the Interstate 676 Interchange at Race Street.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
The New York Times / Twilight of the NIMBY
Philadelphia Magazine / What to Do About South Street
Philadelphia Inquirer / A monster UPS warehouse threatens Far Northeast Philly. Residents fear gridlock
Philadelphia Magazine / Post-COVID, Does Center City Have a Future?
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
Philadelphia Inquirer / Philly libraries and rec centers are at ‘completely unacceptable’ staffing levels, advocates say
Grid Magazine / The FDR Park Master Plan needs reconsidering
Philadelphia Inquirer / Philly-area trail network gets nearly $6 million from William Penn Foundation to improve and expand
WHYY / Philly applying for funds to reconnect Chinatown over Vine St. Expressway
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
SEPTA / Manager, Planning Programs (7074) - Trolley Modernization
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency / Kathy A. Possinger Housing Policy Fellowship
Spak Group /
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation / Program Officer, Policy
Reinvestment Fund / Community Development Loan Officer/Director, MidAtlantic
Princeton University / Program Coordinator, Eviction Lab
Bicycle Coalition / Youth Cycling Program Coordinator
5th Square is Philadelphia's urbanist political action committee.
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