🏛️ SPRUCE HILL HISTORIC DISTRICT APPROVED
After a long battle from housing advocates, the Philadelphia Historical Commission has voted to designate the southeast quadrant of Spruce Hill as a historic district. 5th Square and other pro-housing advocates opposed the district due to our concerns that it would increase rents and home prices.
The boundaries of the recently approved Spruce Hill Historic District
Though our fight was unsuccessful, the Commission is considering another historic district in Washington Square West, with a vote expected at their meeting on September 13th.
We're calling on advocates to testify at the meeting, opposing the historic district to help keep Washington Square West affordable.
The boundaries of the proposed Washington Square West Historic District
🚉 HARRISBURG LEAVES SEPTA BEHIND
In the midst of SEPTA's funding crisis, Philadelphians were looking with hope to Governor Shapiro's proposed statewide transit funding. Pennsylvania's recently passed budget however lacks this funding and instead allocates only $80.5 million split between all of PA's transit agencies. This level of funding would force SEPTA to increase fares and cut service.
Though this is a major setback, we haven't given up hope and are still pushing on state legislators to find a new long-term transit funding solution for all Pennsylvanians. 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.
🔰 LAND VALUE TAX PANEL + MEETUP
Philadelphia and other cities across the US face a shortage of housing and yet our cities are also blighted by vacant or underutilized land -- in Philadelphia, there are about 30,000 privately owned vacant lots. What's more, oftentimes a 'speculator' will buy a vacant lot, wait for the neighborhood to gentrify, and flip the vacant lot for a profit without the landowner doing any work to increase the value of the land! What can we do about these related problems of housing shortage, blighted and underutilized land, and extractive speculation?
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. There will be time before and after the panel for meetup
🗞️ 5TH SQUARE IN THE NEWS
🚨 ACTION ITEMS
✍️ Historic District Petitions
5th Square opposes the proposed historic district in Washington Square West because we believe it 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 petition:
🛣️ 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
PBC Broad Street Ride
July 17, 6:30pm | Broad St and Cheltenham Ave
Night Cycle PHL
July 19, 7pm meet, 7:30 roll | Liberty Bell
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.
Panel on Land Value Tax + Meetup
July 30, 6:00pm – 9pm | Indy Hall 709 N 2nd St
Join us for a land value tax focused meetup with a panel discussion of experts, advocates, and policymakers. Pizza and drinks will be provided with time before and after for meet and greet.
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.
Philly Naked Bike Ride
August 25 | Route TBA
A FREE, no-registration-required ride, with thousands of naked (or bare as they dare) cyclists, riding together to promote fuel-conscious consumption, positive body image, mutual aid, and cycling advocacy!
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
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University of Auckland Economic Policy Center / Can Zoning Reform Reduce Housing Costs? Evidence from Rents in Auckland
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🌳 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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