👥 VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION
If you've been wanting to help out 5th Square with your time and skills, we're now holding orientations for new volunteers.
The next orientation is an hour-long Zoom session on November 30th where we go over organization basics, our code of conduct, and volunteering possibilities. Everyone is welcome!
⚠️ HELP WANTED
Speaking of volunteers, 5th Square wants to buy bus passes for asylum seekers arriving in Philadelphia from Texas. We have contacts for SEPTA ticket sales, but we are looking for contacts for the City Office of Immigrant Affairs or Juntos. If you have contacts for OIA or Juntos, or have other contacts or related avenues, please reply to this email or send a message to Cameron.
image by Jaz Morse (@jazmakes_studios)
🏛 CITY BUDGET FOCUS GROUP
Mayor Kenney's office will be drafting the next budget this coming spring, and you can help! City services like libraries, trash pickup, and homelessness services are quite low in recieving operating funds compared to other services. The city has a virtual focus group program for you to voice your opinion about the upcoming budget. The sessions have registration forms in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Portuguese, so make sure to share this with your neighbors. The next one is November 26th at 11am, with meetings after that being held on the following dates:
- Monday, November 28 at 6 p.m.- 7 p.m.
- Thursday, December 1 at 6 p.m.- 7 p.m.
- Saturday, December 3 at 11 a.m.- noon
- Tuesday, December 6 at 6 p.m.- 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 7 at 6 p.m.- 7 p.m.
- Thursday, December 8 at 6 p.m.- 7 p.m.
- Saturday, December 10 at 11 a.m.- noon
- Monday, December 12 at 6 p.m.- 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, December 13 at 6 p.m.- 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 14 at 6 p.m.- 7 p.m.
In past budget hearings, we've asked for street sweeping, public restrooms, more Vision Zero implementation, housing programs, and funding for parks & rec. Luckily street sweeping is in its initial phases, but we need all of these things and more to support a first-class city.
You can help us make a walkable, transit-friendly city for everyone with your financial contributions. Become a 5th Square member today!
🚌 Bus Revolution Events
SEPTA's Bus Revolution, the bus network redesign, has the newest draft out for public review. SEPTA is hosting a series of open houses and several webinars to present the draft network with approximate timetables as it pertains to your neighborhood. We strongly encourage you to attend one of these events. This is your chance to see what's about to change, ask questions, and give your feedback. Tell everyone you know! Bring a friend!
Upcoming open houses:
- 11/29 Tue @ 6pm
Anderson Hall, 6361 Lancaster Ave. - 11/29 Tue @ 6:30pm
Virtual Community Conversation - On-Demand Service in Great Valley - 11/30 Wed @ 6pm
Esperanza Arts Center, Gran Salon, 4261 N 5th Street - 12/1 Thu @ 6pm
Greater Olney Library, 5501 N 5th St - 12/5 Mon @ 3:30pm
West Chester Borough Hall, 401 E Gay St - 12/5 Mon
Virtual Community Conversation - North Philadelphia - 12/6 Tue @ 5:30pm
Wolcoff Auditorium, Roxborough Memorial Hospital, 5800 Ridge Ave - 12/7 Wed @ 3:30pm - 6:30pm
69th Street Transportation Center (6901 Market St, Upper Darby) - 12/8 Thu @ 5:30pm
SEPTA, 1234 Market Street, 3rd Floor - 12/12 Mon
Virtual Community Conversation - Center City - 12/13 Tue
Virtual Community Conversation - Kensington/River Wards - 12/14 Wed
On-Demand Transit in Delaware County
EVENTS
WEBINAR: Transit Forward Philly Bus Network Survey
November 22, 2022 at 12:00pm - 1pm
Through the latter half of 2021, Transit Forward Philadelphia conducted a rider-driven bus network survey to understand the challenges, preferences, and needs of SEPTA bus riders as well as changes in rider’s travel patterns due to COVID-19. Following a few months of synthesis with Temple University, we are presenting the survey results, aligning them with the Draft Network, our transit equity priorities, and educating attendees on how to have their voice heard through SEPTA's Open Houses and online community conversations.
I-95/GIR Public Meeting Invitation
Virtual Meeting #1: November 29, 6:30-8:00 PM
Register here: bit.ly/95Meeting1
Virtual Meeting #2: November 30, 6:30-8:00 PM
Register here: bit.ly/95Meeting2
PennDOT District 6 is hosting two virtual meetings to learn about the next phase of the Interstate 95 Girard Avenue Interchange project (I-95 GIR GR6). The meetings will include a project presentation and opportunity to meet members of the project team who will be available to answer questions and collect feedback from the community.
The same presentation will be given at both meetings. Persons with questions or needing special accommodations for the virtual meeting can contact Douglas Robbins at 215-789-2082 or [email protected].
"Changing the Face of the City" Panel Discussion
Wednesday, December 7 from 4pm - 6pm
Center for Architecture and Design, 1218 Arch Street
This is a thought-provoking panel discussion of leaders in the built environment to explore how the historic dynamics of preservation and urban planning have affected current practices in real-estate development, housing, etc.
Webinar: Individual Wayfinding in the Context of Visual Impairment, Blindness, and Deafblindness
Thursday, December 15 at 1:00 PM ET (via Zoom)
In this presentation Amy Parker and Dr. Martin Swobodzinski will highlight past research on human indoor-outdoor wayfinding on an urban college campus. Focus in the presentation will be on the discussion of considerations for wayfinding technology, human subject research design, as well findings and lessons learned across the two projects.
SURVEYS & EMAIL ACTIONS
-
Clark Park Master Plan - Friends of Clark Park are working on a new plan for future development.
- I-95 Girard Avenue Interchange - This survey is to collect feedback on the potential reconnection of Poplar Street between New Market and Front Streets under I-95. The survey will be open until December 16, 2022.
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Walter Rand Transportation Center Improvement Project - NJ Transit is looking for feedback, specifically for pedestrian access, food service, and general facility concerns. See NJTransit.com for more details.
- Borough of Conshohocken Shuttle Survey - Conshy is studying the feasibility of a shuttle for intra-borough travel.
-
Point Breeze Avenue Redevelopment Plan Community Survey - The City of Philadelphia is preparing a strategic redevelopment plan for the Avenue’s commercial corridor, headed by the Department of Commerce with Kenyatta Johnson.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
Philadelphia Inquirer / Philly created more than 1,500 apartments out of old buildings as the pandemic raged
5th Square via PA Office of the Budget / Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program recipients in Philadelphia
Up For Growth / Fair Share from Coast to Coast
The Atlantic / The U.S. Needs More Housing Than Almost Anyone Can Imagine
Philadelphia Inquirer / Developer Bart Blatstein floats $3 billion plan for ex-airport in Atlantic City
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
City of Philadelphia / How you can help people seeking asylum arriving in Philadelphia
GoFundMe / Support for the Club Q Families and Survivors
Philadelphia Inquirer / Philly teens say safety concerns hinder city rec centers
🚌 TRANSIT
GRANTS
Pennsylvania Environmental Council has announced their Regrant Program that provides one and two-year grants of $1,000 to $10,000 per year for projects that increase a sense of welcome, belonging, and safety among under-represented groups on the Circuit Trails, which includes trails like the Schuylkill River Trail, Cobbs Creek Trail, Heinz Refuge trails, Delaware River Trail, Camden Waterfront trails, D&R Trail, D&L Trail, among many other trails in area. Priority will be given to projects led by and engaging under-represented and marginalized groups; projects that promote equity and serve historically disinvested communities; and organizations with a budget of less than $500,000.
An informational webinar will be held next week on Wednesday, November 16 from 2pm-3pm. (Register here.) Applications are due by Thursday, December 22, 2022 at 11:59pm. Any questions, please email Emilia Crotty with Pennsylvania Environmental Council at [email protected].
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Housing Initiative at Penn / Research Associate - Junior/Senior Housing Research Analyst
Campus Philly / Partnership Specialist
ACLU Pennsylvania /
City of Philadelphia /
City of Philadelphia, Office of Sustainability /
BikePGH / Advocacy Manager
The Kelsey / Manager, Housing Development
Philadelphia Cultural Fund / Executive Director
Witty Gritty / open positions
Township of Lower Merion /
Bicycle Transit Systems / Human Resources Coordinator
Indego Bike Share / Field Technician
City of Philadelphia / City Planner 2 (General)
Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia / Development Director
Norris Square Community Alliance / VP of Social Research
Community Legal Services of Philadelphia / Managing Attorney Of The Energy Unit
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