Newsletter: ⚾ Sports and Subways / 🛣️ Learn About Street Design / 🏙️ Family-Sized Apartments

Weekly Newsletter, Issue 251

⚾ SPORTS AND SUBWAYS

Last Tuesday, the sports complex was abuzz with three games in one night, drawing a massive crowd of 126,000 fans. Though it was a chaotic night if you were driving, the tens of thousands of fans who took the Broad Street Line had a fun, free, and fast trip down to South Philly.

On gamedays like Tuesday, the atmosphere on the BSL is truly something special. As the Inquirer's Ximena Conde writes, "On Tuesday, the chaotic train ride to the Sports Complex was half the fun."

Source: Gabe Coffey, The Inquirer

Some of these fans may have seen our volunteers in bright orange shirts outside NRG Station who were gathering signatures for our petition supporting the Roosevelt Blvd Subway.

Want to volunteer with them next time? They'll be back soon, so sign up here and we'll be in touch!


🛣️ LEARN ABOUT STREET DESIGN

This Friday, StreetBoxPHL, with 5th Square as a presenting partner, will be hosting the second session of the monthly Right-of-Way Roundtable Series. Here's a preview of what this session will cover:

Designing public spaces in the streets is challenging. Learn from local designers and how they've navigated these challenges to make streets safer and more livable.

Sounds interesting? RSVP for the virtual roundtable!


🏙️ FAMILY-SIZED APARTMENTS

Ever tried looking for a family-sized apartment in Philadelphia? If you have, you'll know it's not easy, but why is it that Philadelphia has a shortage of family-sized units? The Inquirer's Jake Blumgart dives into the issue, writing,

The reason smaller apartments dominate the market ranges from the esoterica of zoning and building codes to the kinds of projects developers can get financed. It’s also about a dominant narrative of American life: The city is for young people, who move to the suburbs when they grow older.


ENDORSEMENT ALERT

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

Want to have a say in our future endorsements? 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


💸 SUPPORT SEPTA FUNDING

SEPTA is facing an urgent fiscal cliff which may see drastic service cuts and higher fares. Fortunately, the Pennsylvania House passed HB 1219 which would increase the portion of sales tax that is allocated to public transit funding without increasing the tax itself.

This bill still needs to pass the State Senate, so contact you legislator to ensure SEPTA gets the funding it needs!


EVENTS 

Public Meeting: Schuylkill Connections: Using Mule Bridge as a Bike and Pedestrian Trail
Wednesday, October 25, 2023, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM, Virtual
Public meeting to discuss repurposing the Mule Bridge in the Lower Northwest to connect the Schuylkill River Trail and Pencoyd Trail in Lower Merion, and to present the results of a study on the topic.

Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia: Strengthen the Pennsylvania Historic Tax Credit
October 26, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., 226 N. High St. West Chester, PA
Learn from national experts, state legislators, and local developers about the benefits that can come from strengthening the Commonwealth’s historic tax credit program.

Right of Way Roundtable Series: Street Design
Friday, October 27 · 12 - 1pm, Virtual
Designing public spaces in the streets is challenging. Learn from local designers and how they've navigated these challenges to make streets safer and more livable.

CycleScenePHL All Out: Halloween
October 28 at 7:00 p.m., Philadelphia Museum of Art
It’s a Saturday, a Full Moon, Halloween Weekend, and the rides are coming together to host a costume optional, headlights required ride!

Election Day!
November 7, 7:00 am to 8:00 p.m.
See the candidates we're endorsing here

World Day of Remembrance 2023
November 19, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Lil Safety Village Hunting Parking
The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and Families for Safe Streets Greater Philadelphia present World Day of Remembrance 2023. This annual event is scheduled to honor the people who’ve lost their lives to traffic violence in the Philadelphia area. #WDoR2023 is run in conjunction with cities all across the country on the third Sunday of November.


SURVEYS

DVRPC 2050 VISION 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. Survey closes December 15th.

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.


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.


JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Michael Baker International / Senior Civil Engineer / Project Manager - Transportation

Rue Landau Team / Open Application

Robert D Gilmore & Associates Inc / Planner

Earth Quaker Action Team / Director of Organizing

Philadelphia Housing Authority / CNI Project Manager - Bartram

WHYY / Transportation Reporter

DVRPC

Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia / Intern

Philadelphia Energy Authority / Finance Director

Esperanza Health Center / Various Jobs

The Philadelphia Citizen / Staff Writer

Children First / Early Childhood Education Policy Director

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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