🪡 CHINATOWN STICH FUNDED
For more than half a century, Chinatown has been split down the middle by I-676, separating neighbors with a pollution-spewing expressway.
Fortunately, Philadelphia will be receiving a $159 million grant to help heal the wound and reunite Chinatown by capping two blocks of I-676 in a project dubbed the Chinatown Stitch. Though it cannot undo the damage, it is a start at reuniting a community divided.
Source: City of Philadelphia
Want to support advocacy for repairing the damage caused by urban highways? Become a 5th Square member for as little as $5 per month.
🚉 SUPPORT TRANSIT FUNDING THIS MONDAY
A group of transit funding advocates from the group Save the Train will be taking a trip to Harrisburg via Amtrak on Monday, March 18th to advocate for properly funding SEPTA.
In case you missed it, SEPTA is facing a drastic fiscal crisis which could see both higher fares and significant service cuts unless additional funding is acquired.
While in Harrisburg, they will be holding a joint press conference with Senator Haywood. Join them to keep up the pressure on state lawmakers to give SEPTA the funding it needs!
If you can't make it all the way to Harrisburg, they will also be hosting rallies at 30th St Station at 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
🤝 CANDIDATE MEET AND GREET
We will be hosting a candidate meet & greet on Tuesday, April 2nd at 6 PM, at Indy Hall in Northern Liberties. We are welcoming our endorsed candidates running for State Senate and State House in the upcoming primary.
These meet-ups are casual social gatherings, and are intended as a fun way for new and existing supporters to connect with other people involved with 5th Square and urbanist issues in Philadelphia. Pizza, seltzer, and beer will be provided with a suggested donation of $10 for members or $20 for non-members.
🚨 ACTION ITEMS
🗑️ Clean Philadelphia Now Petition
Are you fed up with litter, illegal dumping, and having to clean up streets, sidewalks, and public spaces over and over? So many of us are, across Philadelphia. Let’s put our voices together to make sure our next Mayor prioritizes cleaning up our neighborhoods. Add your voice by filling out the petition.
🏫 Support Clean Air in Philly Schools
Many of Philadelphia's schools lack ventilation, air conditioning, and consistent heat. Inadequate ventilation and air filtration in our schools contribute to the spread of respiratory viruses like COVID, flu, RSV, and colds as well as exacerbating asthma. Sign this letter to call on the Philadelphia Board of Education to take action now.
✍️ Walk Roll Delco Survey
Delaware County is embarking on a mission to enhance the quality of life for its residents through the development of an Active Transportation Plan. Take the survey.
🚌 Support SEPTA Bus Revolution
Buses are a vital lifeline for getting folks around Philly, with many neighborhoods completely reliant on this service being fast, frequent, and reliable. SEPTA’s Bus Revolution would make buses more useful for more people by redesigning its entire bus network which would result in over a million more people gaining access to frequent bus routes.
Learn more about why we support Bus Revolution and sign our petition in support.
💸 Support SEPTA Funding
Governor Shapiro has announced that he plans to direct $282 million in sales tax revenue to SEPTA and other PA transit agencies. This will cover a significant portion of SEPTA's deficit, but we must keep up the fight ensure Governor Shapiro's proposed funding comes through and to find an additional funding source to cover the remaining deficit.
You can help by signing this petition, and reaching out to elected officials.
🛣️ Stop I-95 Expansion
PennDOT is planning to expand I-95 in Center City and South Philly by adding lanes and new ramps. This will threaten the well-being of our neighborhoods by worsening air quality, increasing noise pollution, and harming our access to the waterfront.
Join us in telling PennDOT that highway expansion has no place in the core of Philadelphia by signing our petition.
🗳️ Register to Vote
Planning to vote in the upcoming primary election? You can register to vote here and then you can request an absentee or mail-in ballot. To vote in the primary, you must register by April 8th.
EVENTS
DVRPC Public Participation Task Force: Improving Pedestrian and Cyclist Experience
March 14th, 6:00 - 7:30 pm | Virtual
DVRPC’s Public Participation Task Force (PPTF) invites you to a virtual meeting on how data improves walking and biking infrastructure in urban and suburban communities
NightCyclePHL 2024 Expo Ride
Saturday March 16, 6:00 PM | Rail Park
Night Cycle's bringin back the Expo Ride of pre-COVID yore with a ride to Keystone Bike's big expo party at 7pm at 1800 N American St.
2024 Philly Bike Expo
March 16-17th | Convention Center
The Philly Bike Expo is an annual weekend-long event featuring exhibitors, seminars, presentations and events representing the spectrum of cycling.
WMAN Take the Train to Harrisburg
March 18th, 7:25 AM | 30th St Station
Join a group of transit funding activists for an Amtrak train ride to Harrisburg for a 10am press conference with Senators Art Haywood and Nikil Saval.
Vision Zero PHL 2024
March 22, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM | 1755 N 13th St
The day-long conference exploring Vision Zero and featuring local and nationally-recognized speakers & panelists will be held in person at Temple University.
TransportationCamp PHL
March 23, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM | 3245 Chestnut St
Whether you work in the industry or simply have an interest, we welcome you physically to our nation’s birthplace at the center of the NEC for a day filled with ideas at the intersection of transportation, technology, and urbanism.
March 25 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm | 401 Lombard St
Queen Village Neighborhood Association in partnership with Philly Bike Action is hosting a community meeting to talk about how to build safe streets for walking, biking and rolling in Philadelphia. Councilman Mark Squilla of District 1 will be our guest speaker and present to answer any and all questions. Open to the public – all are welcome!
2024 Candidate Meet & Greet
April 02, 6:00pm – 8pm | Indy Hall, 709 N 2nd
5th Square is hosting a candidate meet & greet where we are welcoming our endorsed candidates running for State Senate and State House in the upcoming primary.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
🚌 TRANSIT
🚴 MOBILITY
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
City of Philadelphia / Vision Zero Ambassadors
PIDC / Economic Development Intern, Capitalization and Impact
DVRPC
- Economic Development Planner
- Financial Reporting Senior Specialist
- Transportation Planner
- Program Coordinator/Senior Program Coordinator
- Senior Procurement & Contracts Specialist
- Staff Accountant
Pennsylvania Environmental Council / Program Manager, Trails & Outdoor Recreation
Connect the Dots / Project Manager
Society Hill Civic Association / Administrator
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy /
Fairmount Park Conservancy
YIMBY Law
Delaware & Lehigh /
Riverfront North / Project Director
Parking Reform Network / Policy Director
NV5 /
Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia / Better Bike Share Partnership Educator
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
2024 Mpact Transit + Community Conference Call for Speakers
The Mpact Transit + Community Conference focuses on the interplay of transit, mobility, land use and development in building great places to live - for everyone and they are putting out a call for speakers. Add your voice and help shape the vision for transit-oriented communities. Closes March 29.
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.