🚏 WEDNESDAY: RALLY FOR SEPTA
SEPTA cuts are coming later this month if Harrisburg doesn't reach a budget deal that funds PA transit agencies!
Tomorrow at 11am, we're rallying outside City Hall to call on PA Senate Republicans to reach a budget deal.
Time is running out to stop these cuts--we need everyone's support to protect our city's vital transit system.
Rally in Philly: Finish the Budget + Stop SEPTA Cuts
Wednesday, August 6, 11am – 12pm
Philadelphia City Hall, North Apron
In addition to coming to the rally tomorrow, sign up for a Save SEPTA volunteer event! There are several canvassing, flyering, and phonebanking events throughout the next week.
✍️ SUPPORT TRANSIT/BIKE/PED PROJECTS
TAKE ACTION TODAY to advocate for a safer, more accessible region.
DVRPC, the regional planning agency for Philadelphia, is taking public comments for the new Long-Range Plan update, which will determine investments made in the region for the next 25 years.
Click this link to send a pre-filled email comment to DVRPC. It's very quick and easy--just input your name and address and hit send!
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE MINI-GRANT
Feet First Philly's public space mini-grant program is back.
City residents and community groups can apply for $500-2000 grants for projects that improve walkability by making neighborhoods safer and easier to walk and roll in.
Funding can be used to support public space projects, including construction materials, educational materials, event costs, insurance, stipends, staff time, or other needs.
😊 YOUR PHILLY HAPPY PLACE
The Inquirer is working on a map of Philadelphian's happy places.
🍻 FTWNB URBANIST MEETUP
Calling all Femme, Trans, Women, and Non-Binary (FTWNB) urbanists!
Join us for a meetup on Thursday, August 14th at Triple Bottom Brewing in Northern Liberties, to mingle with other women/femme, non-binary, and trans urbanists.
Whether you are an urban planning advocacy expert or brand new and curious -- you are welcome here!
FTWNB Urbanist Meetup
August 14, 2025 at 6:00pm – 8pm
Triple Bottom Brewing – 915 Spring Garden St
| RSVP HERE |
📰 5TH SQUARE IN THE NEWS
The Inquirer:
“I’m sympathetic to their argument. Obviously Philadelphia was America’s first capital, and there’s a lot of historic buildings in the city,” said Brennan Maragh, co-chair of urbanist group 5th Square’s Housing Committee. “But designating entire zones of the city as historic as a practice should be strongly discouraged, and momentum is building to push back.”
🚨 ACTION ITEMS
🚲 Parking-Protected Bike Lane Petition
Parking-protected bike lanes are a great way to make our bikes lanes safer and lower stress, but they are illegal in PA! The Bicycle Coalition is fighting for their legalization. Sign their petition to show your support for safer bike lanes!
🚫 Grays Ferry Is Not a Parking Lot
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is proposing a 1,000-vehicle parking garage at 30th and Grays Ferry Avenue. This garage would be over 70 feet tall, reserved for employees, and would require a separate shuttle service. Sign our petition telling CHOP: Don't Treat Grays Ferry as a Parking Lot
🛣️ 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
Rally in Philly: Finish the Budget + Stop SEPTA CutsWednesday, August 6, 11am – 12pm | Philadelphia City Hall, North Apron
Senate Republicans are holding Pennsylvania’s budget hostage, including crucial investments in transit. Rally with us to call on them to fund SEPTA and PA's transit agencies.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
🚌 TRANSIT
🚲 MOBILITY
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Pew Programs in the Biomedical Sciences / Project Director, Biomedical Programs
SEPTA /
City of Philadelphia
Share Food Program / Chief Development Officer
10 Thousand Friends of PA /
5th Square is Philadelphia's urbanist political action committee.
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