🚲 MAYOR'S RESPONSE TO PETITION
After 5th Square, the Bicycle Coalition, and Philly Bike Action organized a petition calling for concrete bike lane protection, we delivered the 6,000+ signatures to Mayor Parker.
Though the initial reception was a bit icy, Mayor Parker acknowledged the petition last week and spoke to bike advocates, promising to "begin community engagement immediately" for OTIS's Spruce/Pine proposals.
🏙️ CENTER CITY OPEN STREETS THIS SUNDAY
Center City District recently announced a series of car-free open streets on Sundays in September.
The first one is this Sunday, September 8th. Stop by to see what our city can be when we prioritize people over cars.
📣 PUSH FOR SAFER STREETS
📅 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 will be led by Matt Wysong from OTIS, Pearl Hyunh of NECPA, and Jay Arzu.
🗞️ 5TH SQUARE IN THE NEWS
The Inquirer:
The bicycle coalition, along with Families for Safe Streets, 5th Square, and Philly Bike Action had been collecting the signatures — as well as about 4,000 written messages — since July 17, when Barbara A. Friedes, 30, a physician who was a pediatric oncology resident, was struck and killed while riding in the Spruce Street bike lane by a driver police said had a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.16%, twice the legal limit.
🚨 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!
Philly Full Moon Ride
September 17, 8:44 PM | Art Museum Steps
The September Harvest Moon. The route will be anounced a day or two before the ride. Generally the ride will center around this time. Meet up will be generally 8:30PM and rolling 9PM. (the idea is to ride at night under the moon).
Bicycle Coalition Annual Gala & Awards Dinner
September 26, 5:30 to 9:00pm | Ridgeland Mansion in Fairmount Park
Join the Bicycle Coalition for its annual fundraising gala featuring cocktails, a three course plated dinner, an award ceremony, and silent & live auctions featuring unique cycling opportunities, bikes, gear, and surprises!
Delaware River Festival
September 28, 10 AM - 4 PM | Penn's Landing and Wiggins Park
A free family-friendly event on the Delaware River in Camden and Philly with environmental activities, boat rides, prizes, and water-centered learning.
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
🚴 MOBILITY
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Councilmember O'Rourke's Office /
Friends of the Rail Park
City of Philadelphia
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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