🥳 SEPTA DEATH SPIRAL AVERTED
Governor Shapiro announced that he is flexing $153 million in federal highway to SEPTA. Averting disastrous service cuts, fare increases, and the transit death spiral that would ensue.
This started with our own organizers publicizing the flex funding mechanism, and pushing the issue with Legislators, the Governor's office, and our City Council. We turned out dozens of folks to testify in favor of this at City Council, in a resolution that passed unanimously. Transit For All PA and several other groups joined us in this call to action, garnering thousands of contacts into the Governor's office for this WIN!
While we still need to push for a long-term sustainable source of transit funding, for now SEPTA will have funding through July.
Thank you to the many advocates who fought to make this happen, and thank you to Governor Shapiro for listening.
🍻 HAPPY HOUR WITH WELCOMING NEIGHBORS NETWORK
Join us next Wednesday for an informal meet-up with abundant housing advocates from across the Northeast Region of Welcoming Neighbors Network (WNN)!
WNN Northeast x 5th Square Happy Hour
Wednesday, December 4th, at 6:00pm – 8pm
Human Robot Schuylkill Banks, 2401 Walnut St
We will be hosting folks from the following organizations, and more!
This happy hour directly follows a 5th-Square-led walking tour across Center City featuring the highlights (and lowlights) of Philly's planning & zoning process. You are more than welcome to join us for this tour as well! The tour will leave at 5pm from Dilworth Park's Rothman Orthopedic Cabin next to the Skating Rink.
🏆 NOMINATIONS DUE FOR URBANIST AWARDS
Our annual holiday party and urbanist award ceremony is coming up and there's less than a week left to submit nominations!
Do you have a friend or colleague who has made an impact in the world of Philadelphia urbanism this past year? Nominate them for one of our awards here! Nominations are due by Sunday, December 1st at 5pm.
Don't forget to get your ticket!
Holiday Party + Urbanist Awards Ceremony
Friday, December 13th at 7 PM
Indy Hall, 709 N 2nd St
🚲 FIGHT FOR PARKING-PROTECTED BIKE LANES CONTINUES
The 2023-2024 PA legislative session has come to a close without the passage of HB 1283 or SB 1147 which would have finally legalized parking-protected bike lanes.
See the Bicycle Coalition's update for what this means and the path forward.
🚨 ACTION ITEMS
🚲 Support the Spruce and Pine Streets Redesign
Opponents in Society Hill have been circulating flyers with a petition opposing life-saving measures which would add concrete protection to the bike lanes on Spruce and Pine Streets. To help us push back and show our elected officials that we support safer Spruce and Pine Streets, sign and share our petition supporting the redesign.
🏘️ More Housing in PA
🛣️ 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
Wednesday Night Rides Friendsgiving Ride & Potluck
November 27th, 7pm | Resurrection Philadelphia, Woodland Annex, 401 S 42nd St
Join the Wednesday Night Ride crew for a Thanksgiving Eve ride followed by a potluck.
WNN Northeast x 5th Square Happy Hour
December 4th, 6pm – 8pm | Human Robot Schuylkill Banks, 2401 Walnut St
Join us for a happy hour with abundant housing advocates from across the Northeast Region of Welcoming Neighbors Network (WNN)! Feel free to also join us on our preceding walking tour.
Rittenhouse Open Streets
December 8th and 15th | Walnut and 18th Streets in Rittenhouse
Center City District is bringing back car-free Sundays on portions of 18th Street and Walnut Street near Rittenhouse Square.
5th Square Holiday Party + Awards Ceremony
December 13, 2024 at 7:00pm – 9pm | Indy Hall, 709 N 2nd St
Join 5th Square for our annual holiday party and an awards ceremony where we will be presenting awards to members of our community for their outstanding contributions to Philadelphia’s urbanist movement.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
🚌 TRANSIT
🚴 MOBILITY
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
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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