🙅 STOP SEPTA CUTS
SEPTA cuts due to state funding shortfalls will be announced on Thursday, so we need you to join us for a rally at City Hall on Friday to show that we're not going to let these cuts happen.
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.
🙅 STOP SEPTA CUTS
SEPTA cuts due to state funding shortfalls will be announced on Thursday, so we need you to join us for a rally at City Hall on Friday to show that we're not going to let these cuts happen.
Rally: Stop SEPTA Cuts and Fully Fund Transit
Friday, April 11, 11am – 1pm EDT
Dilworth Park, 1 S 15th Street
This rally will be hosted by PA Senator Nikil Saval, and will feature remarks from elected officials, labor leaders, transit riders, and more.
🏛️ HAVE A SAY ON OUR BUDGET
Mayor Parker and City Council are hosting budget town halls. These are a great opportunity to speak up in support of
- Zero fare program & SEPTA Key Advantage program for city workers
- Vision Zero funding
- HOME initiative funding
Find one of the Mayor's town halls here, and find one of City Council's hearings here.
You can also have a say by filling out these two surveys:
🏫 SCHOOL ZONE SPEED CAMERAS MOVING FORWARD
After a rocky start, legislation to enable speed cameras in school zones is moving forward.
5th Square volunteers showed up to yesterday’s City Council's Streets & Services Committee to testify in support of school zone speed cameras and we got it past the finish line!
We are always looking for more folks willing to step up and join us to advocate for a more livable city!
Speed cameras have been an enormous success on Roosevelt Blvd where they have saved an estimated 36 lives, so we can't wait to see our schools made safer too.
🛜 CONTACTLESS PAYMENTS FOR REGIONAL RAIL
SEPTA has officially rolled out contactless payments on Regional Rail!
This means you can now use tap-to-pay cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay to tap on and off of Regional Rail trains.
Read more from PhillyVoice:
🗞️ 5TH SQUARE IN THE NEWS
Thomas said the cameras on Roosevelt Boulevard are “changing cultures and behaviors” along what’s long been the city’s most dangerous thoroughfare in terms of accidents, notably with pedestrians attempting to cross.
Members of Fifth Square credited the cameras have saved a life every month along the boulevard.
🚨 ACTION ITEMS
📣 Tell PennDOT Your Priorities
PennDOT wants you to share your transportation needs. This is an important opportunity to guide PennDOT's initiatives for the next decade and push for safer streets, no I-95 expansion, the Roosevelt Blvd subway, and more!
See our full guide on how to complete their survey.
🗳️ 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
Committee of Seventy: Understanding the City Budget
Apr 3, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM | Online
Committee of Seventy is holding its second webinar in their city budget learning series. This session will explore Mayor Parker’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal, breaking down investments aimed at her priorities of making Philadelphia the safest, cleanest, and greenest big city, with economic opportunity for all.
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.
Temple University Bike Tour
Sunday, April 27, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Temple University Diamond Street parking lot
In this bike tour, cyclists will travel a beautiful 22-mile route from Temple's Main Campus to Temple Ambler, touring the Greenway through Fairmount Park, Wissahickon Valley Park's Forbidden Drive and Fort Washington State Park.
5th Square May Meetup
May 15, 6:00pm – 8pm | Resurrection Philadelphia’s Annex, 401 S 42nd St
Join 5th Square organizers and volunteers for an informal, in-person meet-up! This is an indoor/outdoor, family-friendly event. These meet-ups are casual social gatherings, and are intended as a fun way for new and existing supporters to connect with other people involved with 5th Square and urbanist issues in Philadelphia.
Design Advocacy Group: One-on-One with Angela Brooks
Wednesday, May 28 · 5:30 - 7pm | 1218 Arch Street
Join DAG as they host Angela Brooks, Philadelphia's new Chief Housing & Urban Development Officer and Immediate Past President of the American Planning Association (APA), for a one-on-one conversation that will touch on issues related to affordable and accessible housing and community development.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
🚌 TRANSIT
🚴 MOBILITY
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
SEPTA
City of Philadelphia
Olney Community Collaborative / Corridor Outreach Manager
SEPTA T-Shirt Design Contest (submit your design by 4/15)
Circular Philadelphia / Executive Director
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.
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