Newsletter: ✅ Endorsement Alert / 🚣 Meetup this Thursday / 🚇 Blvd Subway Hearing

Weekly Newsletter, Issue 248

ENDORSEMENT ALERT

5th Square is proud to announce its endorsements for the following candidates running for City Council in this year’s general elections.


🚣 MEETUP THIS THURSDAY

Join 5th Square organizers and volunteers for an informal, in-person meet-up over at Cosmic Cafe & Ciderhouse! 

At this event, we welcome our latest endorsed Council candidates for November's General Election, Kendra Brooks and Nic O'Rourke!

THIS Thursday, October 5th at 06:00 PM
Cosmic Cafe & Ciderhouse - Boathouse Row


🚇 CITY COUNCIL BLVD SUBWAY HEARING NEXT WEDNESDAY

City Council's Transportation Committee will be holding its hearing on the proposed Roosevelt Boulevard Subway. The hearing will be held virtually next Wednesday 10/11 at 1:00 p.m and can be streamed here.

See here for more details or to sign up to give testimony.

Show your support for the Blvd Subway by signing our petition today!


🛜 SEPTA CONTACTLESS PAY ROLLED OUT

SEPTA just rolled out contactless fare payment, fulfilling our long-standing ask for SEPTA modernize fare payment. You can now use Apple/Google pay and contactless credit/debit cards to pay your bus or metro fare.

Source: SEPTA

You can help us make a walkable, transit-friendly city for everyone. Become a 5th Square member today for $5 a month. New Member signups get a free Blvd Subway T-Shirt!

Annual Subscriber, $60 per yearMonthly Subscriber, $5 per monthOne Year of Membership, Starting at $60


👶 FAMILY-FRIENDLY TRANSIT

SEPTA recently announced updates to its stroller policy which will make it easier for families with young kids to ride public transit. You can view the updated policy here, but the highlights are that all new buses will have dedicated stroller storage and that SEPTA will no longer restrict what times strollers can be brought aboard.

Source: Michelle Wu

Together with SEPTA's pending low-floor trolleys, this is an important step towards making public transit accessible to all, including those traveling with young children.


📝 DVRPC SURVEY

The DVRPC is asking for feedback on its vision for Greater Philadelphia in 2050. Tell the DVRPC what they should prioritize over the next 30 years. Let them know if you think Philadelphia should have a new subway line by then.


🏛️ STREETBOXPHL RIGHT-OF-WAY ROUNDTABLE SERIES

StreetBoxPHL is kicking off its monthly Right-of-Way Roundtable Series with its first session this Friday at 12:00 p.m. 5th Square is a Presenting Partner.

If you're unfamiliar with the series, here's what StreetBoxPHL has to say about it:

Each Roundtable will be an open forum for learning about Right of Way(ROW) innovations, opportunities, and discussing ongoing challenges. Throughout this series there will be guest speakers and community leaders who will provide greater insight and information and present real world case studies on all.


📈 SUPPORT TRANSIT FUNDING

SEPTA is facing a fiscal cliff--contact you legislator to ensure SEPTA gets the funding it needs.


✍️ AGING AND DISABILITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT

The University of Pittsburgh and other Pennsylvania-based partners are supporting the efforts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, led by the Pennsylvania Department on Aging, to develop a Master Plan for Older Adults. Responses will be used to create a profile of the needs of older adults and adults with disabilities that will inform the Commonwealth's planning process. Respond here.


EVENTS 

Wednesday Night Rides x Neighborhood Bike Works
October 4 at 7:00 p.m., Neighborhood Bike Works at 3939 Lancaster Av
Length: 8.2 miles, mostly flat and fun downhills with one 0.4 mile climb on Black Road (+326ft / -325ft)
Level of difficulty: Standard with one notable climb

Philadelphia Corporation for Aging to host Listening Sessions on Pennsylvania’s Master Plan for Older Adults
October 5 at 3:00 p.m., PCA at 642 N Broad St
Stakeholders, older adults and people living with disabilities, their families, caregivers and community leaders are invited to contribute what they think should be the plan’s priority goals, objectives, and initiatives to support the highest quality of life for older adults.

City Council Hearing on the Roosevelt Blvd Subway
October 11 at 1:00 p.m., virtual (streaming here, recording will be available here)
City Council's Transportation Committee will be holding a hearing to examine the proposed Roosevelt Boulevard Subway. For more information and to learn how to give testimony, see here (PDF).

DVRPC Regional Safety Task Force Meeting
October 12 at 2:00 p.m.
Please join us for the next Regional Safety Task Force (RSTF) meeting, which will be devoted to exploring how to plan for quick-build projects, like bike lanes or painted crosswalks, for temporary or demonstration purposes.


WHAT WE'RE READING

🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE

🌳 PUBLIC SPACE

🚌 TRANSIT

🚴 MOBILITY

🗳️ POLITICS


GRANTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

The DVRPC Planning Fellowship provides an opportunity to learn about urban and regional planning by serving in various departments at the Commission over the course of a year. The fellow will participate in the daily activities of a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), complete specialized projects, and experience firsthand how transportation plans and investments are made in Greater Philadelphia. This position is designed for people of color to explore the field of city and regional planning without prior training or experience. Fellowship applications are due on October 27.

The Bicycle Coalition is currently looking for winter interns to assist with event planning and administrative work in the policy and development departments. If you are passionate about making our streets safer for all community members and would like to learn how to put your skills to use for better cycling, pedestrian, and transportation networks, read our success stories, and then apply.

Feet First Philly’s Public Space Enhancement Mini-grant program is in its fourth year this year. During its first three years, the program has funded 32 public space enhancement projects throughout Philadelphia. Feet First Philly seeks projects that improve walkability by making neighborhoods safer and easier to walk and roll in. Applications are open now! If you have an idea for a project that could improve the accessibility of your community, you are encouraged to apply. This program is partially funded by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and grants range from $500 to $2000. Due 10/9.


JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Philadelphia Housing Authority / CNI Project Manager - Bartram

WHYY / Transportation Reporter

DVRPC

Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia

National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel

Philadelphia Energy Authority

Research For Action / Research Directors

Esperanza Health Center / Various Jobs

The Philadelphia Citizen / Staff Writer

Jawnt / Marketing Lead (Growth/Demand Focus)


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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