⌛ SEPTA CUTS TEMPORARILY HALTED
Yesterday, SEPTA was granted permission to implement a stopgap measure to draw from its capital funds—which support crucial maintenance, accessibility upgrades, and system expansions—to cover its shortfall in operating funds.
While this will stop service cuts for two years, it comes at the expense of SEPTA’s long-term future. In the absence of a dedicated funding source, using these scarce capital funds will eventually impact reliability, accessibility, cleanliness and safety.
We must keep fighting for sustainable transit funding. Join Transit Forward Philly's rally and run on Friday where they will run along the 32 bus route to show that Philly runs on SEPTA.
Philly Runs on SEPTA
September 12, 2025 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Art Museum Steps
Please also join Transit for All PA's statewide update meeting on September 18 at 7:00pm.
🤝 SUPPORT THE FIGHT FOR TRANSIT
🍻 SEPTEMBER MEETUP
Join us on Tuesday, September 30th for our next meetup in Center City!
We will be welcoming Nick Anderson, Executive Director of the Parkway Council, who will share updates on the current plans to redesign the Parkway.
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, either professionally or in a volunteer/activist capacity, and learn more about what our all-volunteer organization is up to.
🚗 CHOP GARAGE RALLY RECAP
This past week, we joined a coalition of residents and advocates to tell CHOP no to their proposed 1000-vehicle parking garage in Grays Ferry. This garage would outsource CHOP's pollution to an environmentally distressed neighborhood instead of supporting sustainable transportation options.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped fight for cleaner air in Grays Ferry! To stay up-to-date, sign our petition opposing this garage and follow @no_chopgarage on Instagram.
And if you're a Grays Ferry resident or frequently travel through the area, please also fill out this survey for a safer 34th Street corridor which would be impacted by this parking garage.
💰 PUBLIC SPACE MINI-GRANTS
Philadelphia residents and community groups can apply for mini-grants of $500 to $2,000 through Feet First Philly’s Public Space Enhancement Mini-Grant Program to fund small, public space improvements that promote safer, more walkable neighborhoods.
Applications are due by October 1.
🍂 CENTER CITY FALL OPEN STREETS
Center City District's West Walnut Open Streets are coming back for the fall!
For six Sundays in September and October, starting this weekend until October 12th, sections of Walnut and 18th Streets will be closed to cars and open to pedestrians from 10am to 5pm.
📰 5TH SQUARE IN THE NEWS
Members of 5th Square, a Philadelphia-based urbanist political action committee, spoke to The Daily Pennsylvanian about their opposition to the project. In an interview with the DP, Brennan Maragh — co-chair of 5th Square’s Housing Committee — said that the parking garages, in general, “are not sustainable.”
“They bring a lot of cars into a neighborhood, they don’t generate positive consequences like people riding public transit, … and they further encourage things like car use and air pollution,” he said.
KYW Newsradio: SEPTA cuts could put Amtrak's Keystone Line on the chopping board
🚨 ACTION ITEMS
34th Street Corridor Redesign Survey
The Philadelphia City Planning Commission is seeking community feedback to make traveling on 34th Street in Grays Ferry safer and more pleasant. If you're a Grays Ferry resident or frequently travel through the area, fill out this survey.
🚲 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
Philly Runs on SEPTA
September 12, 2025 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm | Art Museum Steps
Transit Forward Philly will be hosting a run from the Art Museum to the south side of City Hall along the 32 bus route followed by a short rally for funding. Non-runners are welcome to participate by joining the rally at City Hall.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
🚌 TRANSIT
🚲 MOBILITY
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Philadelphia Orchard Project / Executive Director
Procurement and Contracts Specialist
City of Philadelphia
Reinvestment Fund / Manager, Research Operations, Policy Solutions
PHDC / Director, Real Estate
Feet First Philly / Public Space Mini-Grant (Apply by 10/1) | Info session recording
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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