🚨 STOP SEPTA CUTS
Due to a funding crisis, SEPTA is planning to slash service by 45%, hike fares, and eliminate 50 bus routes and 5 regional rail lines.
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
Due to a funding crisis, SEPTA is planning to slash service by 45%, hike fares, and eliminate 50 bus routes and 5 regional rail lines.
How can you help stop this?
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Use the PA House Dems' form to contact state senators and tell them that we need a plan to fund SEPTA and our state's transit agencies
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Send a letter to your legislators using Transit for All PA's form
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Attend SEPTA meetings (in person or online) to give public comment:
- Operating Budget Hearing #1 (May 19, two hearings: 11am and 5pm)
- Operating Budget Hearing #2 (May 20, two hearings: 10am and 4pm)
- Capital Budget Hearing (May 21, two hearings: 10am and 4pm)
🗳️ GET READY FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION
We are only a month away from the upcoming primary election on 5/20 and mail-in ballot applications are open!
📅 SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR MAY MEETUP
Join 5th Square organizers and volunteers on Thursday, May 22nd for an informal, in-person meet-up over at Resurrection Philadelphia’s Annex! This is an indoor/outdoor, family-friendly event. Light refreshments, pizza, and beer will be served.
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.
If you've been meaning to check out one of our events or meetings but haven't made it out yet, this will be a good first one to come to. And please bring a friend or two!
5th Square May Meetup
May 22, 6:00pm – 8pm
Resurrection Philadelphia’s Annex
401 S 42nd St
🖤 RIDE OF SILENCE
Each year, Philadelphia's bicyclists come together to remember and honor those who were killed or injured by motorists with a ride around the city in complete silence.
Join them on May 21st at 6:45 PM at the north apron of City Hall for a brief ceremony followed by a 7-mile slow ride in silence ending at the Art Museum.
🪡 CHINATOWN STITCH
OTIS is gathering input on the Chinatown Stitch project which will cap I-676 between 10th and 13th Streets, helping to reconnect Chinatown after it was split in half by the Vine Street Expressway.
Take their survey here, and view the outreach event schedule here.
🏙️ SUNDAY: CENTER CITY OPEN STREETS
Center City District has been hosting open streets near Rittenhouse Square on April Sundays from 10am to 5pm and there's only one left!
Stop by on Sunday, 4/27, to enjoy car-free streets, spring weather, and entertainment!
🚨 ACTION ITEMS
🏛️ Budget Meetings and Surveys
Mayor Parker and City Council are taking input on our upcoming budget via public meetings and surveys. Find one of the Mayor's town halls here, find one of City Council's hearings here, and fill out these surveys:
📣 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
PBA 2nd Birthday Potluck Picnic
April 26th, 1pm-4pm | East Fairmount Park
Join Philly Bike Action to celebrate its second year of advocacy with an informal outdoor potluck picnic and celebration.
Celebrate Trails Day
April 26th | Various Locations
Celebrate Trails Day is an annual springtime celebration of America’s trails that takes place on the fourth Saturday of April. There will be various events throughout the region.
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.
Explore the Audubon Loop Trail
Saturday, May 10th • 1:00 pm | John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove
Join the Bicycle Coalition on World Migratory Bird Day for a presentation on birds and the latest trail expansion plans, followed by a biking tour of the Audubon Loop Trail and the Perkiomen Trail.
Schuylkill River Trail Christian to Crescent Opening Day Celebration
Saturday, May 17 from 10:30am to 2:30pm | Plaza on SRT near Christian St
The Schuylkill River Trail's connection between Christian Street and Grays Ferry Crescent is finally opening! Join the opening day celebration for the SRT's newest segment.
21st Annual Ride of Silence
Wednesday, May 21st, 6:45 PM | North apron of City Hall
This year's Ride of Silence will honor the eight cyclists killed over the past year with a ceremony followed by a slow ride around the city in complete silence.
5th Square May Meetup
May 22, 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
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Center City District / Cycling in Center City
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
SEPTA /
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission / Director of Regional Planning
City of Philadelphia
Kennett Area Community Service / Chief Operating Officer
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.