🤔 SEPTA FUNDING STILL UNCERTAIN
Pennsylvania's budget deadline passed and Harrisburg failed to pass a budget, but the SEPTA board recently approved a 2025 budget which is counting on PA's proposed transit funding.
Meanwhile, the City of Philadelphia is increasing its SEPTA funding by 25%. Now we need Harrisburg to step up and pass a budget with Governor Shapiro's proposed statewide transit funding to avoid drastic service cuts and fare increases.
You can help by contacting your legislators and telling them to support Governor Shapiro's proposed transit funding. The Transit for All PA coalition has put together a guide for contacting your legislators and helping to push for state transit funding.
Want to support our efforts to fight transit service cuts? Become a 5th Square member for as little as $5 per month.
🚍 HELP INTERCITY BUS RIDERS
A year after Greyhound shut down its terminal, intercity bus riders are still stuck waiting for buses in the hot summer sun on the sidewalks of Spring Garden Street.
Last Sunday, 5th Square volunteers provided some relief to riders by passing out cold water bottles at the Spring Garden Street intercity bus station.
They will be back tomorrow from 11am to 3pm, and we'd love for you to join them! Even if you can only stop by for a brief time, we'd be happy to have your help.
If you can't help tomorrow but would like to volunteer in the future, sign up to volunteer and we'll keep you posted on future opportunities.
💔 A SAD WEEK ON BROAD ST
This past week, three lives were tragically lost on Broad Street in two separate fatal crashes at Broad and Hunting Park, and Broad and Fairmount. These two crashes add to the already high death toll of Broad Street, currently Philadelphia's most dangerous road
Fortunately, City Council and Mayor Parker recently approved expanding Philadelphia's automated speed enforcement program to Broad St. On Roosevelt Boulevard, automated speed enforcement has already saved an estimated 36 lives.
With Broad Street now approved for speed cameras, Philadelphia is permitted by state law to add four additional corridors to the automated speed enforcement program. Councilmember Thomas is conducting a survey to help determine which corridors are chosen.
🚨 ACTION ITEMS
🚴♀️ Support Circuit Trails
The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) is opening its public comment period for the 2025 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for Pennsylvania.
The Bicycle Coalition is asking for comments in support of funding for trails which provide important transportation routes and space for recreation. See here for instructions on providing public comment.
🚲 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:
🛣️ 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
Deliver Cold Water to Intercity Bus Riders
July 03, 11:00am – 3pm | Spring Garden Bus Station
We are looking for a few volunteers to help distribute ice cold water to hundreds of bus riders -- even if you can stop by for a few minutes on your lunch break.
Philadelphia Historical Commission - Washington Square West Historic District
July 12th, 9am | Virtual via Zoom
5th Square believes the proposed historic district for Washington Square West will harm residents of the neighborhood and the city by increasing housing costs. During this meeting, the Philadelphia Historical Commission will be reviewing the proposed district and there will be an opportunity for public comment.
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
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Philadelphia Housing Development Corp.
- Director, Multi-Family Development Finance
- Rehabilitation Housing Inspector III
- Risk and Insurance Manager
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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