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 nearly 450 members donating anywhere from $5 to $25 a month.
🤝 FTWNB URBANIST MEETUP THURSDAY
Calling all Femme, Trans, Women, and Non-Binary (FTWNB) urbanists! Join us for a meetup at Indy Hall's 4th Floor Skyroom, this Thursday May 9th at 6pm.
Want to support our efforts to host events for you to meet other urbanists? Become a 5th Square member for as little as $5 per month.
✨ MAY 5TH SQUARE MEETUP NEXT WEEK
Join 5th Square organizers and volunteers for an informal, in-person meet-up over at Resurrection Philadelphia’s Annex on May on May 16th at 6PM! This is an indoor/outdoor, family-friendly event and light refreshments and pizza will be served.
We will be joined by Councilmember Rue Landau and other guests.
🚏 TESTIFY AT SEPTA MEETINGS
There are two upcoming meetings hosted by SEPTA this month that we need volunteers to show up for and testify:
May 22, 10am and 4pm: SEPTA FY2025 Capital Budget Public Hearing
May 23, 3pm: SEPTA Board Meeting - May 2024
At SEPTA's capital budget hearings, they will be making big decisions about how to allocate their capital budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
At SEPTA's May board meeting, the board will be taking a final yes/no vote on Bus Revolution.
RSVP and we can help you with your testimony.
🚲 WANT MORE PARKING-PROTECTED BIKE LANES?
Have you ever wondered why there aren't more parking-protected bike lanes? As a recent blog post from the Bicycle Coalition details, we have Harrisburg to blame.
After several unfortunately unsuccessful attempts to pass legislation enabling parking-protected bike lanes, HB 1283 was passed by the House in June 2023 and now must make it out of the Senate, where it currently sits in the Senate Transportation Committee, waiting for Senator Langerholc to bring it before the committee.
🖤 RIDE OF SILENCE
Each year Philadelphia's bicyclists come together to remember and honor those who were killed or injured by motorists with a ride around the city in complete silence.
Join them next week on Wednesday May 15th at 6:45 PM for an 8-mile ride starting on the north side of City Hall. RSVP here.
🛣️ BIKE NETWORK UPDATE
The City's Office of Multimodal Planning has put together an update on the work they did in 2023. Check it out here: Philadelphia’s Bicycle Network Changes in 2023
🚨 ACTION ITEMS
✍️ Historic District Petitions
5th Square opposes the proposed historic districts in Washington Square West and Spruce Hill because we believe they will raise rents by restricting the development of new housing as well as increase costs for existing homeowners by making home repairs more complicated, expensive, and time-intensive. We are instead calling to preserve historically significant buildings with individual historic designations. Learn more and sign the petitions:
Several parking lots in Washington Square West that would be protected as "contributing" properties by the proposed historic district
🏫 Support Student SEPTA Passes
The School District of Philadelphia gives SEPTA passes to certain students if they live far enough away from their school. A student concerned that this places an unfair financial burden on some families has set up a petition to call for free SEPTA passes for all students regardless of where they live. Sign the petition here.
🚲 Withdraw the Bike Lane Parking Permits on Spruce and Pine Streets
Ever used the bike lanes on Spruce and Pine Streets on a weekend? You might have noticed that the bike lanes turn into a parking lot due to an arrangement the city has with nearby houses of worship to allow parking in the bike lane. This practice creates a dangerous situation for those using the bike lane, and it may even be illegal. Join Philly Bike Action in signing their petition and calling to end this dangerous practice.
⛲ Fairmount Park Centennial Subdistrict Design Plan Survey
Philadelphia Parks and Recreation is redesigning the Centennial District of Fairmount Park and is looking for feedback. The survey proposes several plans with different road designs and a reduction in road miles through the park, so respond to the survey to indicate your support for the plans which deemphasize the role of cars in Fairmount Park and reorient it as a space for humans.
🚌 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.
EVENTS
WEBINAR: City Limits: Infrastructure, Inequality, and the Future of America’s Highways
May 7, 2:00 PM | Virtual
Join journalist Megan Kimble as she shares insights on the freeway fighting movement from her new book, City Limits: Infrastructure, Inequality, and the Future of America’s Highways.
FTWNB Urbanist Meetup
May 9, 6pm – 8pm | Indy Hall, 709 N 2nd St
Calling all Femme, Trans, Women, and Non-Binary (FTWNB) urbanists! Join us for a meetup. We want to create a space that's inviting and safe for non-cis men to participate and chat about Philadelphia's urbanist issues important to you!
Ride of Silence
Wednesday, May 15, 6:45 | North Side of City Hall
A ride to honor the cyclists killed or injured by motorists in and around Philadelphia. This ride happens rain or shine.
Bikeout: Philly to Schwenksville
May 25 - May 26 | Philadelphia Museum of Art
A celebration of Philadelphia's beautiful trails, this ride will travel from the Museum of Art along scenic waterways to a summer camp in Montgomery County.
BikeJC Jersey City Ward Tour
June 2nd, 11am rollout | Jersey City
The Jersey City Ward Tour is Bike JC's largest event, with 3,000 cyclists taking a 15 mile ride through all of Jersey City's wards.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
🚌 TRANSIT
🚴 MOBILITY
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inquirer.com /
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Philadelphia Housing Development Corp.
- Director, Multi-Family Development Finance
- Rehabilitation Housing Inspector III
- Risk and Insurance Manager
Transit App / Growth, SEO & ASO
East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District / Executive Director
Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
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.