🏒 THE IMPACT OF I-95 RECONSTRUCTION
PennDOT is working on a project to reconstruct (read: widen) I-95 in Center City and South Philly and they've not exactly been engaging with Philadelphians in good faith.
The current plans would destroy sports fields in South Philly for a new interchange, and we recently learned that a hockey rink will also have to be demolished for the project.
PennDOT's plans will destroy communal neighborhood spaces and increase pollution in the core of our city. We stand opposed to PennDOT's proposal and we encourage you to join us. Sign our petition opposing this I-95 expansion project which is almost at 1,200 signatures!
🏙️ CENTER CITY OPEN STREETS
Center City District recently announced a series of car-free open streets on Sundays in September.
Stop by to see what our city can be when we prioritize people over cars.
🔰 STOPPING REAL ESTATE SPECULATION
A recent article in the Inquirer looked at the role real estate speculators have played in causing the crisis in Kensington.
Source: The Inquirer
Our current tax structure contributes to the crisis by enabling these speculators by providing a negative incentive to develop abandoned buildings and vacant lots into productive uses that add to their neighborhoods rather than extract wealth from them.
We could combat this problem with a land value tax which reduces or eliminates the portion of property tax that taxes improvements and instead taxes land at a higher rate. This would mean speculators who purchase vacant lots in bulk while waiting for the neighborhood to improve would pay more in taxes, while most homeowners would pay less.
💳 REGIONAL RAIL CONTATLESS PAYMENT
It's been great to use a contactless card or mobile pay to pay your SEPTA bus, trolley, or subway fare, but if you're a regular regional rail rider, you couldn't leave your SEPTA key at home. This may change soon though as SEPTA is starting a pilot to test contactless payments for regional rail.
🚏 SUPPORT THE OLD CITY BUS TERMINAL
In the year since Greyhound closed its station on Filbert St, one million bus riders have been left stranded with no shelter. They had to contend with hazardous air quality, torrential downpours, and endless days of 90-plus degrees while often waiting hours for a delayed bus.
The city proposed a location in Old City as a temporary bus terminal and we think it would improve conditions for riders. We recently put together a petition you can sign to show your support for the proposed bus terminal location.
Sign it here:
🗞️ 5TH SQUARE IN THE NEWS
The Inquirer:
Now, though, some old ideas are being reimagined as people look for a way to revitalize cities and make them more affordable. 5th Square, which describes itself as “Philly’s urbanist political action committee,” held a public meeting on Georgist land taxes last month.
5th Square’s point man on land tax, Russell Richie, explained more about how this would all work in practice. (Full disclosure: he is also my brother-in-law.) Land value, he said, could be figured out “without much difficulty. Vacant land sales, teardowns, and sales of uninhabitable buildings, and paired sales analysis can all be used to figure out land value for sites around the city, then you interpolate among them to get land values for untransacted sites.”
🚨 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
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 Bike Action Protect the Bike Lanes
August 25 @ 8:00 am - 11:00 am | 17th and Spruce
Help PBA keep the bike lanes open for bikes by creating a human bike lane buffer. Need need lots of people to hold the space! Bring signs or just yourself.
Philly Naked Bike Ride
August 24 | 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!
The Vision for Roosevelt Blvd Tour
September 16, 2024 at 10:00am – 2pm | 17th and Race
Join us on this transit and walking tour to Roosevelt Blvd with Dim Sum Lunch!
NABSA Annual Conference
October 7-9 | Convention Center
The North American Bikeshare & Scootershare Association will be holding its annual conference in town which will serve as a cross-sector gathering space for shared micromobility professionals.
November 8–9 | Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
The goal of the conference is to provide extensive discussion of new and innovative research in urban and regional economics. Previous editions have convened 40 or more economists from around the world to present, discuss, and participate in the workshop.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
🚌 TRANSIT
🚴 MOBILITY
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
PPA / Manager, Automated Enforcement (Red Light, Speed, & Bus Enforcement)
DVRPC
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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