🎉 A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Since this is our 200th newsletter, we want to let you in on an exciting new project.
5th Square believes there is a lot more going on in city land use, housing, and transportation news than is being reported in the news media currently. Many of the publications that once covered city meetings on these topics more regularly no longer have the capacity to do it, or are no longer publishing.
Critical information about city government decision-making about these issues is going unreported.
That is why we have been working on developing a new standalone publication for city planning news, spearheaded by 5th Square member Brandon Tubby, that will publish original reporting on the city government meetings and current events that impact the issues we all care about. Presenting...
Have a sneak peek at some early articles:
- Kensington transit-oriented development rejected variance at recommendation of councilmember
- Why I Don't Just Write About Trash
- Historic Commission greenlights 10-stories on 22nd and Walnut
As a 200th newsletter special, we're pledging to dedicate all donations that are made through this newsletter to fund future freelance reporting for this project.
Aspirationally, once the new publication is up and running (soon!) we are interested in paying freelance writers and reporters to write about the main city government meetings every month that impact housing and transportation issues, like the Planning Commission, City Council's Rules Committee, the Historical Commission, the Land Bank, the SEPTA Board, and more.
If you are interested in writing about these meetings as a freelancer, or you are interested in sponsoring this project in some capacity, or you would like to be involved in some other way, reply to this email or message us on Twitter or Slack.
🍻 SEPTEMBER MEETUP
Join 5th Square organizers and volunteers for an informal, in-person meet-up over at Pennsport Beer Boutique on September 29 at 6:00pm! This is an outdoor, family-friendly event where we will provide updates on our recent campaigns. We will also be discussing mobility, safe streets, and access to transit specific to South Philly. There will be food and beverage available for purchase at this event. The venue is accessible via bus routes 25, 29, 64, and 57.
At this meeting, we are honored to welcome:
- Nikil Saval, Senator for the 1st district in the Pennsylvania State Senate.
- Elizabeth Fiedler, Representative for the 184th district of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
- Appearances by Terrill Haigler, Michael Galván, and other City Council candidates
Support our ongoing efforts for a more sustainable, walkable, and bicycle-friendly Philadelphia! Your donations go to promoting and informing urbanist issues and supporting candidates that support safety and equity.
Become a 5th Square member TODAY!
5TH SQUARE IN THE NEWS
VINE STREET EXPRESSWAY FLOOD
WHYY recently wrote about how Hurricane Ida flooded the Vine Street Expressway. It boiled down to an electrical failure, ineffective pumping, and the increase of impervious surfaces. The piece makes it clear that sustainability in land use as well as proper flood mitigation infrastructure will be key to keeping disaster at bay. 5th Square member Ben She was mentioned, speaking to the effectiveness of SEPTA's pump system.
EVENTS
Wednesday, Sepember 21 at 6:00 PM EDT (Virtual)
Using colorized and remastered historic photography, Segregation By Design documents the intentional destruction of communities of color due to the federal policies of redlining, “urban renewal,” and freeway construction. The project covers roughly 180 municipalities which were redlined by the Federal Housing Administration and received federal funding for “urban renewal.” Free, registration required.
Saturday, September 24th Rittenhouse at 12pm
A memorial bike (and skate) to celebrate the life of Nyier 'Nas' Cunningham, killed while riding a bike in July of this year. They will be starting from Rittenhouse Square, going to Nas' house, then to Nas Park in West Philly. RSVP with @bikebae215.
Networks of Philly with Mike Dank
Saturday, September 24 from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Iffy Books, 319 N. 11th St. #3E
Under your feet and above your eye line, data is soaring by through brightly-lit fiber cable and ethereal radio transmission. Mike Dank will give a presentation on the hidden internet infrastructure that surrounds us in Philly.
Trolleys of the Media, Rose Valley, Swarthmore Area
Sunday, September 25 at 4PM
The School in Rose Valley Grace Rotzel Center
20 School Lane, Rose Valley, PA 19063 (15 minute walk from the Moylan/Rose Valley station on the Media/Wawa line)
Stan Bowman, Electric Railway Historian, will describe the various trolley lines that served the Rose Valley area. Maps that show where the lines ran will be used to define the locations of various stops or vistas the trolleys accessed. Rose Valley Museum Non-Members: $20, Members: $15. Reservations required, purchase tickets online, email [email protected] or call (484)444-2961.
September 24 & 25
Cherry Hill, NJ (multiple locations)
Registration fee is $60 and will go up $70 on Sept. 12. Cycle through the beautiful back roads and flat terrain of South Jersey along with a community of riders dedicated to changing the world for people with MS. $300 minimum for fundraising.
Signs of Progress in Traffic Safety
Wednesday, September 28, at 2:00 PM (virtual)
This webinar, sponsored by Uber, will explore some of the traffic safety wins being seen by communities and what can be learned to inspire similar change elsewhere. Speakers from NACTO, Transportation Alternatives, and WABA will share their experiences on overcoming challenges and creating shifts, providing examples and resources for others who wish to do the same. Registration required.
YIP State of Young Philly: Fair Fares for Public Transportation
Wednesday, September 28 from 6-7pm (virtual)
The event aims to answer the question: “How can young adults in Philly ensure that services, and all forms of public life are within reach for all Philadelphians?” There will be a panel talking about different wins and strategies for SEPTA fare reform in the context of accessibility. There will also be a 30 min Q&A on how to get involved with transit advocacy work.
Transit Talk - Proposed Bus Network Changes
Monday, October 3rd, 2022, from 6:30 – 7:30 pm (Virtual)
SEPTA's Bus Revolution team will be sharing the draft network and give a timeline of new public engagement events.
SURVEYS & EMAIL ACTIONS
- West Mt Airy Neighbors Association wants to see an end to speeding vehicles on Lincoln Drive. If you missed the rally, you can sign their petition or pick up a yard sign.
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Vision Zero Conference 2023 survey - provide feedback from this year's conference and suggest topics for 2023.
- Support Tiffany Fletcher's Sons- Crowdfunding for the family of the Parks & Rec employee caught in crossfire at Mill Creek Park.
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NJ TRANSIT’s Atlantic City Rail Line Service Study is conducting a brief survey to learn how rail service could be improved to better meet the needs of customers. Those who complete the survey and provide their contact information will be entered into a drawing for either a monthly pass or a $100 gift card.
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2nd and Laurel Street Intersection Survey - Northern Liberties Business Improvement District wants to hear about your preferences for the public space improvements associated with potential roadway adjustments at the 2nd Street and Laurel Street intersection.
- 2022 SEPTA Key 2.0 Survey - The survey will help in developing the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the next generation fare collection program, SEPTA Key 2.0. You can take the survey online, call in at (215) 580-7145 and selecting OPTION #3 (Commendations and Complaints) to take the survey over phone, or email [email protected] for a screen reader friendly PDF.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
Philadelphia Inquirer / Philly Council President Darrell Clarke considers mandatory affordable housing for development in his district
The Chestnut Hill Local / Bass blocks redevelopment of Germantown YWCA
Jacobin / To Solve the Housing Crisis, We Have to Increase the Housing Supply
🌳 PUBLIC SPACEPhiladelphia Inquirer / Fed-up Lincoln Drive residents use radar guns, flags, and boulders to fight speeding cars and dangerous curves
WHYY / After fatal rec center shooting, Philly lawmaker seeks to limit truck parking
Sara Little Turnbull Fellowship - The Fellowship is a paid, 2-3 month, part-time or full time fall fellowship (on-site) for an early career woman or non-binary person of color who is curious, driven and passionate about design and design education. The fellow will be a part of Tiny WPA’s team, working as an in-house designer and contributing to the organization’s community-engaged design-build projects. We welcome applications from high school students, currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students, and recent graduates with a 2-year or 4-year degree from a public, private, or community college or university. The compensation range is $15-25 per hour. Applications are due on October 2, 2022 by 11:59 pm.
Feet First Philly Public Space Enhancement Mini-Grant - Feet First Philly is partnering with the Department of Public Health to provide funding for mini-grants of $500 to $2000 to create public space enhancements and safety improvements where they are needed the most. Residents and community groups in low income communities and communities of color are strongly encouraged to apply. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, October 11th at 11:59PM.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Wednesday Night Rides is looking for volunteers to help plan routes, assist with the rides, or any other input. If you enjoyed past rides, this is a good way to get involved.
BCGP’s 2022 Bicycle Counts - Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is looking for volunteers interested in helping us with this process between September 6 and October 28. Bike counts happen on weekday mornings and evening from 7:30 – 9:00 AM and from 4:30 – 6:00 PM, weather permitting. Sign up today!
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Office of Congressman Dwight Evans / Digital Media Manager
SEAMAAC / Digital Navigation Specialist
Northern Liberties Neighbors Association / Executive Director
Transit Forward Philadelphia / Coalition Manager
Tiny WPA /
City of Philadelphia /
Center City District / Retail Development Manager
Shift Capital / Development Finance Manager
- Executive Director
- Transportation Planner, Office of Freight and Clean Transportation
- Transportation Modeler / Analyst
Lawrence Hopewell Trail / Executive Director
Lutheran Settlement House / Administrative Assistant
jawnt / Customer Success Manager
Oonee / Chief of Staff to the CEO
ULI Philadelphia / Manager
Center City District / Retail Development 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.
Support our advocacy with a recurring monthly contribution of $5.