5th Square is Philadelphia's urbanist political action committee, organizing and advocating for better transportation, land use, and public space policies. Our work is made possible through the support of over 400 members donating anywhere from $5 to $25 a month.
🤝🍻 CANDIDATE MEET AND GREETS, QUESTIONNAIRES, & ENDORSEMENTS
We recently held two meet and greets with mayoral and council candidates. if you missed these, don't worry! Recordings of candidate introductions are on YouTube:
In addition, more than twenty-six candidates answered our questionnaire discussing roadway safety, public space, transportation and housing for Philadelphia!
Our membership is voting on our endorsements THIS WEEK via straw poll. JOIN TODAY to be part of this process by becoming a member for only $5 / month!
🚌 BUS REVOLUTION
SEPTA is undertaking a redesign of its bus network, known as Bus Revolution, and will be holding a Transit Talk at 6:30pm, Monday March 20. Register below for an update and Q&A about SEPTA's plans.
ICYMI: 5th Square member Chris Giuliano and new Transit Forward Philadelphia coalition manager Connor Descheemaker have written an op-ed for Plan Philly about how City Council can facilitate Bus Revolution.
🚸 VISION ZERO AMBASSADOR
The City of Philadelphia is looking for ambassadors for the Vision Zero program, helping to spread awareness of the importance of traffic safety. It comes with a stipend of $1500, after completion of the program in September. Applications are due April 2nd. There's an in-person training session on April 15th.
🏅BIG WINS FOR OUR 2023 PLATFORM!
In the past week, we've seen movement towards our 2023 issue platform asks from several facets of city government!
We see major steps towards transit equity and increased SEPTA funding through the Kenney Administration's latest budget proposal - closing the gap on our first two transit asks!
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Establishment of a low-income fare program, providing city funding for free rides for 25,000 residents living in poverty.
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Enrolling city employees into SEPTA Key advantage, using city funds to provide municipal workers access to public transportation.
This comes on the heels of our latest op-ed asking for these innovative solutions to closing the transit funding gap for our region!
In fighting dangerous illegal parking practices and disability rights, we have seen a renewed commitment from the PPA under a new executive director:
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To towing cars without license plates and obscured VINs.
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To ticketing vehicles parked blocking crosswalks and curb cuts.
In the realm of improved civic space, Ten library branches are now open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturdays!
Those are: Cecil B. Moore Library, Charles Santore Library (Bella Vista), Eastwick Library, Fox Chase Library, Greater Olney Library, Haverford Library, Kensington Library, Nicetown-Tioga Library, Tacony Library, and Walnut Street West Library (Spruce Hill). Read more on the Free Library blog post.
EVENTS
Philadelphia Refinery Public Meeting
Tuesday, March 14th from 6 to 8 PM (via Zoom)
Saturday, March 18th from 9am to 5:30pm
Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building @ Drexel University (3245 Chestnut Street)
Waking Up from Winter Pajama Party (Bike Ride)
Saturday, March 25th at 8pm
Rocky Steps (at the Art Museum)
Friday, March 31st from 9:00am to 3:30pm.
Temple University Student Center South (1755 N 13th St)
Join Bicycle Coalition for the 2023 Vision Zero Conference focusing on approaches to Vision Zero that help move toward an equitable future. The conference will be followed at 4:00pm by the 2023 Better Mobility Mayoral Forum, where the Philadelphia mayoral candidates will have an opportunity to speak about their views on sustainable mobility and Vision Zero. Daniel Pearson, Inquirer Editorial Writer, will moderate the discussion. Tickets are on sale now, ranging in price from $20-$95.
2023 Code for Philly Launchpad - Creating Projects to Support Philadelphia
Multi-day in person event from March 31st to May 10th
The Launchpad is for anyone interested in supporting local "third places" or interested in participating in making positive change in Philadelphia in general. In our opening weekend, we'll be brainstorming ideas for projects on Friday 3/31 and forming project teams on Saturday 4/1. Advanced tech skills not required! We welcome newbies, career changers, and anyone with an interest in tech. More info here
CycleScenePHL: Welcome Planners
SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2023 AT 11:00 AM EDT
Saturday April 1st at 11am
Meet at the paintbrush sculpture across from the Convention Center (Broad and Cherry)
Lower Merion Township Planner Chris Leswing, instrumental in the lighting of the Manayunk Bridge and a major force in developing the Cynwood Heritage Trail into what we know it as today, is inviting municipal planners from around the country to ride their bikes in Philadelphia and a little beyond. Let’s join them, show off our city, and celebrate our scene! Route features include: the SRT, the Manayunk Bridge, the Cynwood Heritage Trail, Laurel Hill Cemetery West, and a happy hour near the Pencoyd Bridge.
SURVEYS & EMAIL ACTIONS
Philly Streetlight Improvement Survey - We highly suggest that the new LED lights be warmer in temperature and less bright. Pick Option B, Warm White.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
New York Times / Here’s How to Solve a 25-Story Rubik’s Cube (archive.org mirror)
Sightline Institute / Habitat for Humanity Goes All In for Multifamily Housing
Details Reviewed / Residential Zoning by Race: How Pittsburgh’s Zoning Districts Promote Different Housing Options for Black and White Residents
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
Fast Company / The case for the 15-minute city
Philadelphia Inquirer / Philly plans to cap the Vine Street Expressway to reconnect Chinatown
🚌 TRANSIT
GRANTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
University of Pennsylvania / Manager, Research Project B (Department of Emergency Medicine)
School District of Philadelphia / Various positions
ESS (for School District of Philadelphia / Substitute Teacher
City of Philadelphia /
Riverfront North Partnership / Field Partnership Coordinator
Office of Senator Nikil Saval / Constituent Services Representative
Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia / Development Director
Guilded Freelancer Cooperative / Executive Director
BOLT (Build Our Lives Together) /
- On-Call Youth Therapist
- Storyteller (Grant-Writer & Communications)
- Summer Youth Program 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.
Support our advocacy with a recurring monthly contribution of $5 or more.