🎄 HOLIDAY PARTY NEXT WEEK
Join 5th Square members and friends for our annual Holiday Party + Urbanist Awards Ceremony at Resurrection Philadelphia, 42nd & Pine Streets on Wednesday, December 13th at 7 PM!
Come celebrate with other Philadelphia built environment activists, neighborhood and community leaders, architects, planners, builders, and sustainability advocates at the urbanist holiday party of the season!
Drinks and light fare will be served. Tickets are $30 purchased online ($40 at the door).
📸 SAVE PHILLY'S SPEED CAMERAS
Philadelphia has begun to turn the tide against speeding-related crashes thanks to the Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) program on Roosevelt Boulevard. But here's the deal – these life-saving speed cameras are set to expire Dec 18th, and we need your help to keep them on!
We need you to reach out to state senators to help us keep our life-saving speed cameras.
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Demand: Support House Bill 1284 with no expiration and expanded speed cameras.
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Remind: Lives are at stake – we can't afford to lose this crucial program!
Options to Contact:
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Call:
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PA Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R): 717-787-8724
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PA House Majority Leader Rep. Matthew Bradford (D): 610-270-1150
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Find your State Senator: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/
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Script: "Hi, I'm a Philadelphia resident and I’m calling to support HB1284 for safer roads. The speed camera program on Roosevelt Boulevard saves lives, and we need it to stay and expand to the rest of the city!"
🎉 BLVD SUBWAY VICTORIES
For supporters of the Roosevelt Blvd subway, this past week has been a busy and successful one!
In case you missed it, there were two big meetings this past week.
The first was a town hall hosted by several local elected officials where subway supporters turned out in huge numbers to show elected officials how transformative the Blvd subway would be.
The second was an open house hosted by PennDOT where they discussed their plans for Roosevelt Blvd. Advocates spoke with PennDOT representatives and made it clear that Philadelphians want a subway under the Blvd!
If you missed these meetings, there's still a chance to get involved—PennDOT will be hosting another meeting next week on December 14th.
Thursday, December 14 at 6:00 PM
Route for Change - Roosevelt Blvd Public Open House #2
Lenfest Center, 3890 N 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19140
[Add to Google Calendar]
We will be giving out free pins at this meeting to subway supporters.
We also have a limited quantity of Blvd Subway hoodies! Pick one up for $50 with free shipping.
Or become a 5th Square member today for $5 a month and get a free Blvd Subway T-Shirt!
💸 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
5th Square Holiday Party + Urbanist Awards Ceremony
December 13, 2023 at 7:00pm – 9pm, 401 S 42nd St
Join 5th Square members and friends for our annual Holiday Party + Urbanist Awards Ceremony at Resurrection Philadelphia. 5th Square will be presenting awards to members of our community for their outstanding contributions to Philadelphia’s urbanist movement.
Bicycle Coalition Holiday Lights Ride 2023
December 13, 7:00PM - 9:00PM
It's time to dust off your bike decorations, bundle up and ride with us on our Annual Holiday Lights Ride! This ride is family-friendly and free to attend but an RSVP is required so we can plan our rollout & ride buddies accordingly!
Design Advocacy Group: Unlocking the Benjamin Franklin Parkway's Potential as a Great Urban Park
Thursday, December 14 · 10 - 11:30am EST, Virtual
Building on the ideas of 2013's More Park, Less Way plan, the current planning process for the Parkway seeks to unlock the Parkway's potential as a great urban park for all by removing excess pavement, connecting fragmented green spaces, and layering on new landscaping and amenities.
Roosevelt Blvd Route For Change Open House #2 - Lenfest Center
December 14, 2023 at 6:00pm – 8pm, 3890 N 10th St
PennDOT, in collaboration with the City of Philadelphia and SEPTA, is hosting an Open House on Roosevelt Boulevard. PennDOT representatives will be discussing interim improvements and selecting transportation alternatives for Roosevelt Boulevard. Join us to convince PennDOT to move forward with the Blvd Subway.
StreetBoxPHL Right of Way Routable Series
Friday, December 15 · 12 - 1pm EST, Virtual
We will talk about the Do's and Do Mores of Street Design and discuss Inspirational Designs from Around the US with Paul Supawanich.
SURVEYS AND ACTION ITEMS
Save Philly's Speed Cameras
The Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) program cameras on Roosevelt Boulevard have saved lives by reducing excessive speeds, which cause fatal and serious injury crashes. However, speed cameras are set to expire at the end of 2023. Speed cameras should be renewed and expanded to additional corridors in the city. Reach out to your elected officials!
Bicycle Coalition: Legislation Needed Now to Save Lives of Pedestrians and Bicyclists!
2023 is a terrible year to be a bicyclist in Philadelphia. So far, 10 persons have been killed while riding their bicycle on city streets, the greatest number ever recorded. There are two pieces of legislation in Harrisburg that would allow automated speed enforcement and parking protected bike lanes. Please send a message to your state senator to ask that they prioritize passing two bills in 2023 to protect the lives of vulnerable road users.
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. Bicycle Coalition's recommended responses here. Survey closes December 15th.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
🚌 TRANSIT
🚴 MOBILITY
GRANTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
SEPTA
Philadelphia Housing Development Corp
DelDOT / Planner I-II Transportation Planning
City of Philadelphia
- Transportation Planning Manager (Streets)
- Comprehensive Planning Research Intern
- Citizens Planning Institute Communications Intern
- Infrastructure Workforce Development Manager (OTIS)
- Fiscal Operations Manager (OTIS)
DVRPC
WHYY / Transportation Reporter
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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