Could taxing land more and buildings less -- the so-called land value tax (LVT) -- encourage homebuilding, and discourage holding and speculating on vacant or underused land (video explainer here!)? Why do economists left, right, and center think that LVT promotes efficient, equitable growth? Has a land value tax actually been implemented in other places, and what have we learned from those cases? Could we do it here in Philadelphia, and if so, how can I help?

If you are interested in these and other questions, join us on July 30th for a panel discussion of experts, advocates, and policymakers, moderated by 5th Square board member and treasurer, Russell Richie, and co-sponsored by the Robert Schalkenbach Foundation.

🗳️ HISTORIC DISTRICT VOTE FRIDAY

The Philadelphia Historic Commission is gearing up to approve two new historic districts in Washington Square West and Spruce Hill in their meeting on Friday at 9am.

Though 5th Square does not oppose historic preservation, we oppose these historic districts for the following reasons:

• They will make home repairs more complicated, expensive and time-intensive

• They will raise rents and home prices by restricting the supply of new housing

The boundaries of the proposed Washington Square West Historic District

The boundaries of the proposed Spruce Hill Historic District

You can help by attending and commenting at PHC's meeting on Friday at 9am. See here for more details.

❓ SEPTA FUNDING STILL UNCERTAIN

Another week has passed and Harrisburg has again failed to pass a budget so SEPTA's budgetary fate remains uncertain.

Philadelphians are counting on Harrisburg to pass a budget which includes Governor Shapiro's proposed statewide transit funding which would help SEPTA stave off its imminent fiscal cliff and stop 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.

🗞️ 5TH SQUARE IN THE NEWS

Billy Penn: Advocates offer water to bus passengers and demand a new station

Several activists with Transit Forward Philadelphia, 5th Square, and Liberty Resources passed out cold bottled water to passengers waiting for Greyhound, Peter Pan, FlixBus, and Megabus buses or rideshare pickups on the curb along Spring Garden near Front Street.

“They are exposed to all sorts of elements — heat, cold, wind, smog. The very least that any bus company or government can do to provide for them is to provide water,” 5th Square organizer Micah Fiedler said. “In lieu of that, we’re out here today to help alleviate some of these issues.”

🚨 ACTION ITEMS

🚲 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:

• Fishtown
• Strawberry Mansion

✍️ 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:

• Washington Square West
• Spruce Hill

🛣️ 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

Philadelphia Historical Commission - Voting on Historic Districts
July 12th, 9am | Virtual via Zoom
5th Square believes the proposed historic districts for Spruce Hill and Washington Square West will harm residents of the neighborhoods and the city by increasing housing costs. During this meeting, the Philadelphia Historical Commission will be reviewing the proposed districts 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.

Bikepacking Roots Mid-Atlantic Bikepacking Summit
August 23-26 | Confluence, PA
Bikepacking Roots is hosting a bikepacking summit along the GAP Trail in Confluence, PA. Join them for a summit that's all about building a vibrant community, exploring the stunning Mid-Atlantic and Appalachian landscapes, and making bikepacking accessible to everyone.

WHAT WE'RE READING

🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE

• inquirer.com / Philadelphia property assessments are months behind schedule, and Mayor Parker’s administration won’t say why

• Center for Building in North America / Elevators

• The New York Times / The American Elevator Explains Why Housing Costs Have Skyrocketed

• inquirer.com / New apartment building proposed for Washington Avenue meets familiar resistance

🌳 PUBLIC SPACE

• WHYY / Philly’s Avenue of the Arts to spend $100M greenifying South Broad Street

• inquirer.com / As Drexel’s John Fry gets voted in as Temple’s next president, here’s what he plans to do

🚌 TRANSIT

• inquirer.com / SEPTA is among the Pa. transit agencies waiting on more state money amid budget talks

• Billy Penn at WHYY / Advocates offer water to bus passengers and demand a new station

• WHYY / SEPTA is moving forward with plans to reimagine Ambler’s Regional Rail station

• Mass Transit / Crime down 37 percent on SEPTA systems during first half of 2024

🚴 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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