🚲 CLEAR BIKE LANES
If you've biked down Spruce or Pine Streets on a weekend, you've likely encountered a lot of parked cars blocking your way--even more than the typical weekday bike lane obstructions!
That's because of an arrangement the city has with several churches and synagogues along Spruce and Pine that allow attendees of their services to park in the bike lanes on weekends.
Advocates have long been calling on these congregations to find safer parking arrangements, and in the aftermath of Dr. Friedes' tragic death, the last congregation has finally withdrawn their parking permits. Though we still have a long fight ahead of us for concrete protection, our bike lanes will be slightly clearer and safer in the meantime.
📅 VISION FOR ROOSEVELT BLVD TOUR
Join us on a transit & walking tour to Roosevelt Blvd discussing recent improvements and the potential for rail transit.
Monday 9/16, 9am
$20, Lunch included
The tour is led by Matt Wysong from OTIS, Pearl Hyunh of NECPA, and Jay Arzu.
🏀 76ERS ARENA STUDY RELEASED
It's been a long wait, but the city has finally released its study on the proposed 76ers arena in Center City.
The city released four reports covering a community impact assessment, an economic impact analysis, design consulting, and a traffic transportation and parking analysis.
🎞️ LVT PANEL RECORDING
In case you weren't able to make our July meetup and land value tax panel, we just posted the recording.
Check it out if you want to learn more about how we can reform Philadelphia's property tax system in a way that incentivizes homebuilding and discourages real estate speculation.
📣 FAST FORWARD PHILLY CALL FOR PRESENTERS
DesignPhiladelphia has put out an open call for presenters for their Fast Forward Philly event on October 8th.
If you're interested in presenting, submit your proposal by this Thursday, 8/29.
🏙️ 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.
💳 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.
🗞️ 5TH SQUARE IN THE NEWS
The Philadelphia Citizen: Safer, Cleaner, Greener Public Spaces, by Katrina Johnston–Zimmerman
When the pandemic hit, one of the silver linings was the enactment of many of our recommendations, including so-called “streeteries,” which were privatized for outdoor dining, with fees and site inspections waived or reduced, and the designs reflecting the business’s personal aesthetic. We even had nearly pedestrianized streets reminiscent of Italian piazzas filled with patrons day and night. This was due to the unfortunate necessity to safely dine outdoors and keep our restaurants afloat, of course, but I was hopeful that if there was one thing that would stick from that tumultuous time, that would be it.
But no dice. Where once there were hundreds of streeteries scattered throughout the entire city, now we have reverted back to nearly the original number because of a reintroduction of regulations.
WHYY:
“A lot of what these studies find is the quantitative, statistical, just general fact. But it’s not taking into consideration the quality of the experience on the ground. It also doesn’t have anything to say about equity or distribution of safety,” said Katrina Johnston–Zimmerman, an urban anthropologist who sits on the steering committee for 5th Square.
🚨 ACTION ITEMS
🚏 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 proposed temporary bus terminal location in Old City would significantly improve conditions in the short term while a more permanent solution is pursued. Sign our petition supporting it here.
✍️ 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, harming our access to the waterfront, and destroying sports facilities. To make matters worse, PennDOT has been deceitful about its engagement efforts.
Join us in telling PennDOT that highway expansion has no place in the core of Philadelphia by signing our petition.
EVENTS
Camden Greenways Bike Day
Saturday, September 7, 1 - 3pm | Ball Park Camden
Head to Camden for a family-friendly bike event with bike tune ups and a giveaway of 30+ kids bikes.
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.
Fast Forward Philly
Tuesday, October 8th, 6pm | 1319 Walnut St
Join us for the 12th annual Fast Forward, a DesignPhiladelphia festival event! A lineup of presenters from various creative backgrounds will Fast Forward through 20 slides at 20 seconds each to answer one question: What's next for Philly?
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
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inquirer.com /
🚴 MOBILITY
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
SEPTA
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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