🥳 BUS REVOLUTION APPROVED
It's been quite the journey, but this past week, SEPTA's board finally voted to approve Bus Revolution!
5th Square has supported Bus Revolution since the beginning so we applaud this move which will improve bus service for thousands of SEPTA riders.
Want to support our advocacy work to ensure Philadelphians have reliable and effective public transit? Become a 5th Square member for as little as $5 per month.
🚲 SPEAK UP FOR PROTECTED BIKE LANES NEXT TUESDAY
Join the Bicycle Coalition and Families for Safe Streets Greater Philadelphia as they head back to Harrisburg on Tuesday, June 4th to talk to elected officials about the benefits of Parking Protected Bike Lanes and why it’s urgent they be legalized across the commonwealth.
RSVP HERE
Tuesday, June 4, 7:00AM - 4:00PM
PA State Capitol, Harrisburg, PA
💰 LEARN ABOUT FUNDING PLACEMAKING PROJECTS
This Friday May 31st, StreetBoxPHL, with 5th Square as a presenting partner, will be hosting the next session of the monthly Right-of-Way Roundtable Series.
Join them over Zoom for a discussion featuring Ryan Debold of the Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation that will cover financing creative placemaking and how groups can fund their ROW transformations.
🚨 ACTION ITEMS
Bartram's Garden Petition for Improved Trail Conditions
Bartram's Garden is currently seeking state funding to support improved conditions, access, and amenities along the Bartram's Mile Trail. Sign their petition to show your support for their funding request.
🚲 Fishtown and Strawberry Mansion Neighborhood Bikeways Survey
OTIS is soliciting feedback on their project to identify several neighborhood streets for bikeways in Fishtown and Strawberry Mansion. Read more and fill out their surveys:
✍️ 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.
🚌 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
Philly Bike Action Anniversary Fundraiser
May 30 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm | The Trestle Inn, 339 N 11th St
Celebrate PBA’s one-year anniversary with a night of fundraising at The Trestle Inn’s “Feel the Love” Happy Hour. We’ll have a group ride, t-shirts for sale, raffles, and an indoor Gold Sprint competitions to keep you cheering all evening. 20% of bar profits will be donated to PBA.
StreetBoxPHL ROW Roundtable: How to - Transforming Visions to Action: Finding Partners, Funding Your Projects
Friday, May 31 · 12 - 1pm | Virtual
Join StreetBoxPHL for a ROW Roundtable about finding the right funding partners. Perfect for leaders looking to dip their toes in placemaking and getting a preview of their own future processes.
Philly Bike Party Prom
Friday May 31, 8pm meet, 8:30 rollout | Art Museum Steps
Get fancy and ride/dance the night away with us. Route will be posted closer to the ride.
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.
League of American Bicyclists - Cycling Advocate Workshop
July 24 · 5pm - July 26 · 3pm | Venue TBA
The workshop will cover advocacy basics such as the history of bike advocacy, how to get organized, effective political engagement, making the case, coalition building, policy basics, funding, storytelling, equity and mobility justice, and more.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
🚌 TRANSIT
🚴 MOBILITY
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Philadelphia Magazine /
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.
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