🚲 PUSH FOR NEW DELAWARE RIVER BIKE/PED PATH
As plans advance to rehabilitate or replace the I-95 Delaware River Bridge, help us push for a new bike and pedestrian path across the Delaware River!
5th Square is Philadelphia's urbanist political action committee, organizing and advocating for better transportation, land use, and public space policies. Our work is made possible through the support of over 400 members donating anywhere from $5 to $25 a month.
🚲 PUSH FOR NEW DELAWARE RIVER BIKE/PED PATH
As plans advance to rehabilitate or replace the I-95 Delaware River Bridge, help us push for a new bike and pedestrian path across the Delaware River!
There is currently no bike/pedestrian access across the Delaware River between Philadelphia and Trenton, so we have a rare opportunity to eliminate this gap.
You can help by attending one of three public meetings, and letting the Turnpike Authority know that you want a shared-use path on the Delaware River Turnpike Bridge.
Virtual Public Meeting (register for Zoom link)
Wednesday, March 12, 2025: 6 p.m.
Pennsylvania In-Person Public Meeting Open House
Wednesday, March 19, 2025: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Benjamin Franklin Middle School
6401 Mill Creek Road, Levittown, PA 19057
New Jersey In-Person Public Meeting Open House
Thursday, March 20, 2025: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Florence Township Municipal Building
711 Broad Street, Florence, NJ 08518
For more details, see this guide from the Bicycle Coalition: Tell the Turnpike Authority to Include a Shared-Use Path on the Delaware River Turnpike Bridge
🚶♀️ APRIL OPEN STREETS
Center City District has just announced more open streets for the Rittenhouse Square area.
Every Sunday in April from 10am to 5pm, 18th Street from Locust to Chestnut and Walnut Street from 15th to 19th will be closed to cars and opened to pedestrians! We'll see you out there!
📽️ FAULT LINES DOCUMENTARY SCREENING
Join 5th Square organizers and volunteers for an advance screening of the 80-minute documentary, Fault Lines, at Indy Hall in Northern Liberties on Tuesday, April 1st!
This is an exclusive screening of this documentary ahead of its festival run in the fall and will be followed by a short discussion on parallels to our fight for housing here in Philadelphia.
The film centers on three stories of people navigating the complexity of our housing system and draws on interviews with leading authorities on housing policy, including Jerusalem Demsas of The Atlantic, writer Noah Smith, and California State Senator Scott Wiener.
Fault Lines Documentary Screening
Tuesday, April 1, 6:00pm – 8pm
Indy Hall Clubhouse, 709 N 2nd St
✏️ ADU DESIGN COMPETITION
The Community Design Collaborative is hosting an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) design competition. Join the competition to create design ideas to address Philadelphia's housing needs.
Want to enter the competition? Register here by March 26th.
🚨 ACTION ITEMS
💰 More Vision Zero Funding
This budget season, 5th Square joining roadway safety groups calling on the Mayor and City Council to contribute $5 million to Vision Zero in the city's upcoming budget.
Demand more Vision Zero funding by signing this petition!
✍️ City Services Survey
The Controller's office is conducting a survey about Philadelphia's municipal services and quality of life issues.
Respondents can provide feedback on how they feel city departments are performing and which issues they want the city to prioritize.
🗳️ Get Ready for the Primary Election
Mail-in ballot applications are open for the 5/20 primary election. It takes only a few minutes to request a ballot now and make sure you're ready to vote in May. If you're not already a registered voter, you can register here.
🦺 Support Castor Ave Safety Improvements
Roadway safety opponents have rented a billboard on Castor Ave in Northeast Philly organizing folks to oppose a plan to save lives along this deadly corridor.
Fortunately, there is a neighborhood petition supporting the proposed safety measures for Castor Ave -- from Oxford Circle to Cottman Ave.
🛣️ 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
DVRPC Public Participation Task Force Meeting: Planning and Funding
March 13, 6:00 - 7:30 pm | Online via Zoom (register here)
The DVRPC's Public Participation Task Force is hosting an online meeting for community members to learn more about the Long-Range Plan (LRP) and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and how they affect transportation projects in your neighborhood, with opportunities for attendees to provide feedback and comments.
The Downtown Dynamic: Creating a Sense of Place & Possibilities
Mar 19, 2025 04:00 PM | Online via Zoom (register here)
Join Prema Katari Gupta in conversation with Patrick Morgan as they explore the narrative of Center City as a place to live, work, and play. They’ll explore strategies to sustain its retail and office recovery, alongside opportunities to foster a more inclusive and vibrant public realm.
TransportationCamp PHL 2025
March 22nd | Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building, 3245 Chestnut St
Whether you work in the industry or simply have an interest, TransportationCamp PHL welcomes you for a day filled with ideas at the intersection of transportation, technology, and urbanism.
Strong Towns Bucks-Mont PA: Supporting Public Transit
March 25 · 7 - 9pm | Resilience Resource Center, 2337 Philmont Avenue #108 Lower Moreland Township
Join the Bucks/Montco chapter of Strong Towns for a presentation and discussion about how we can support public transit in our area with Connor Descheemaker, the Statewide Campaign Manager for Transit For All PA.
Accessory Dwelling Unit Competition | Finding Philadelphia's Missing Middle
March 29, 11am - 3pm EDT | Center for Architecture and Design, 1218 Arch St
The Community Design Collaborative is hosting its inaugural Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Design Competition! Recognizing the pivotal role ADUs play in diversifying housing options and enhancing affordability, this competition aims to ignite innovative design solutions that foster equitable and sustainable communities.
Fault Lines Documentary Screening
April 1st, 6-8pm | Indy Hall, 709 N 2nd St
Join 5th Square organizers and volunteers for an advance screening of the 80-minute documentary, Fault Lines! This is an exclusive screening of this documentary ahead of its festival run, followed by a short discussion on parallels to our fight for housing here in Philadelphia.
Main Street Now 2025 Conference
April 7 – 9 | Philadelphia Marriott, 1201 Market Street
Join local leaders and experts in commercial district stewardship from across the country for three days of education sessions, special events, and mobile workshops.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
🚌 TRANSIT
🚴 MOBILITY
🏛️ POLITICS
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Open Philanthropy /
Circular Philadelphia / Executive Director
City of Philadelphia
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society / Director of the Philly Tree Coalition
Office of the City Commissioners / Election Board Worker
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.
Support our advocacy with a recurring monthly contribution of $5 or more.