🚇 BUILD THE ROOSEVELT BLVD SUBWAY!
If the idea of a subway going down Roosevelt Boulevard has caught your interest, you're in good company. We at 5th Square have just launched a petition to get the region's transit planners and politicians together to start working on the Roosevelt Boulevard Subway.
We believe this would be a huge benefit for residents of Northeast Philly and anyone that traverses Roosevelt Blvd. It won't happen overnight, but it's better a hundred years late than never.
If you're feeling fired up about a potential subway, come to the Roosevelt Blvd Subway Town Hall! Led by 5th Square member Jay Arzu, he will be joined by State Representative Jared Soloman and longtime 5th Square volunteer Will Tung. The event will be on Saturday, August 27th at 9AM at the PATH Center on 1919 Cottman Ave. Maybe the conversations you have will end up with the right people...
🍻 AUGUST MEETUP
If you'd like a more casual hangout, we're having a meetup on August 25th at Pennsport Beer Boutique in South Philly. Are you excited about SEPTA Forward? Do you have feelings about the Sixers stadium? Are you thinking about the best way to carry a box of pretzels on your bike? This is a great opportunity to chat about these things and more with like-minded people about urbanist issues as a professional or a volunteer. Bring your friends or kids and have a beer with us!
đź’ˇ PSA: CITY HOMELESSNESS SERVICES
The City has a Wellness Resource Fair in Kensington on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with health and housing resources. It's held at The Rock Ministries from 10am - 1pm at 2755 Kensington Ave. There is also another Resource Fair this Thursday, August 11th, at McPherson Square Park (601 E. Indiana Ave) from 9:30am - 1pm. This one will have free meals, employment assistance, and more. This PDF has a schedule of all their events with locations.
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.
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5TH SQUARE IN THE NEWS
ROOSEVELT BOULEVARD SUBWAY
5th Square member Jay Arzu published a great op-ed with Streetsblog USA with details about the Roosevelt Boulevard subway and why federal funding is crucial for this kind of transportation project. Make sure to catch him at the Town Hall, too!
"The Roosevelt Boulevard Subway is a significant infrastructure project — and it should be the kind of project that the Biden administration should fund: a transportation project that could better connect a disjointed region, reduce vehicle miles traveled and create thousands of jobs in a critical swing state." (read more)
WASHINGTON AVE POSTERS FOR SALE
If you want to show your support for the Washington Ave safety project, you're in luck! We have a new batch of posters available for sale, starting at $20. Proceeds go to the Safer Washington Avenue Fund, which supports candidates that want roads for everyone that walks, bikes, rolls, or takes a bus on Washington Ave. The posters will be delivered to your mail slot by one of our volunteers.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED: MARKETING COMMITTEE
Do you want to make a direct impact on the success of urbanist campaigns and candidates? Join us for 5th Square's Marketing Committee Meeting tonight, August 9th from 6:00pm – 7pm via Zoom!
This month we will:
- Share 5th Square's strategic goals for the upcoming 12 months
- Brainstorm marketing tactics to achieve those goals
- Gather an inventory of members' interests and skills
- Define a workflow to collaboratively tackle the work
No previous marketing experience is necessary, and all marketing disciplines are welcome! See our website for more details.
EVENTS
SEPTA Transit Talk: Regional Rail Update
Connections 2050 - Plan for Greater Philadelphia
Wednesday, August 10, from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM via Zoom
DVRPC published the Connections 2050 Long-Range Plan in September 2021. The Plan was developed over a four-year process and is built on principles of equity, resiliency, and sustainability. This session will share the planning process and resulting policies, project prioritization and funding for regional transportation infrastructure, and strategies to achieve the regional vision. Registration required.
Public Participation Task Force Meeting- Work Program Workshop
Wednesday, Aug 10, 2022 5:45 PM, in person and via Zoom
The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) is developing the annual Work Programin collaboration with partners throughout the Greater Philadelphia region to reflect and support the region’s short-range transportation planning needs. Registration required.
Wednesday, August 10th, 5:00-9:00pm (rain date Weds 8/24)
7100 block of Germantown Avenue
Mt Airy CDC’s signature outdoor event is back for the first time since the pandemic. Come out and rediscover the community and small businesses that make our neighborhood unforgettable!
Wednesday Night Rides: New Jersey
Wednesday, August 10th, 7:00 pm
Meet at base of the Ben Franklin Bridge
This will be crossover ride with Philly Full Moon Bike Ride, Philly Bike Party, and Garden State Bike Party. Ride ends at Tonewood Brewing in Oaklyn, NJ.
SURVEYS & EMAIL ACTIONS
- Nyier: funeral service and for his son for college - A memorial fund for Nyier Cunningham, who was struck by a speeding truck last month.
- Future of the Roundhouse Survey - What do you think should be done with the Roundhouse on 7th and Race?
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Petition to Save the UC Townhomes - The group Save the Townhomes! is still protesting the sale of the UC Townhomes in West Philadelphia which would render many residents homeless. It's one of the few multifamily units in the area.
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Remove the Amendment from HB140 - The Bicycle Coalition is asking for people to email their state senators for the removal of an amendment to HB140, parking protected bike lane bill, that would hamper efforts for bike infrastructure.
- Reimagine the Parkway - Survey 1 This public survey is part of the first round of engagement to help refine the vision and goals for the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Public Realm Plan and gather the priorities for uses of the Parkway from a diverse audience.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
Philadelphia Inquirer / The Sixers’ ambitions for Market Street go well beyond building a sports arena
Slate Magazine / The Most Important Housing Reform in America Has Come to the South
San Francisco Chronicle / YIMBYism is as progressive as it gets
Joint Center for Housing Studies / Rental Deserts Perpetuate Socioeconomic and Racial Segregation
Apricitas Economics / The Upside-Down Housing Market
The New York Times / Why It’s So Hard to Find an Affordable Apartment in New York
Philadelphia Inquirer / What should Philly do with the Roundhouse? No, seriously, the city is asking for your help.
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
Philadelphia Inquirer / After concerns of violence closed a pool and several Playstreets, neighborhood groups are working to shift perceptions of Kensington
Smart Cities Dive / The struggle to find a public toilet
GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS & CFP
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
National Zoning Atlas / Project Coordinator
Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia / Communications Manager
City of Jersey City / Various (Planners, architects, environmental related positions)
City of Philadelphia /
Scout / Marketing Communications Coordinator
Habitat for Humanity /
PeopleForBikes / OpenStreetMap editor
Philadelphia Inquirer / Interactive Newsroom Designer
US Dept of Transportation / Supervisory Transportation Specialist
Community Legal Services of Philadelphia / Communications and Social Media Associate
Rebuilding Together Philadelphia / Communications Manager
School District of Philadelphia /
Green Building United / Development Manager
Independence Blue Cross / Lead Provider Experience Measurement & Insights Lead
Comcast / Sr Specialist, Employee Communications
Nationalities Service Center / Various positions
Philadelphia Department of Public Health / Canvass Data Coordinator
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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