🍻 OCTOBER MEETUP
Join 5th Square organizers and volunteers for an informal, in-person meet-up over at Love City Brewing!
There will be food and beverage available for purchase at this event.
October Meetup
October 19, at 5:00pm – 7pm
Love City Brewing, 1023 Hamilton St
🏞️ SUNDAY: DEMAND A SAFER FAIRMOUNT PARK
Since 2019, at least 41 people have been killed in car crashes in or adjacent to Fairmount Park.
We're joining with Philly Bike Action to call on city leaders to put a stop to this. Sign this petition to ensure people, not cars, are prioritized in Fairmont Park.
On Sunday, October 12th, join Philly Bike Action for a family-friendly event to call attention to unsafe conditions on Belmont Ave, where PBA and Bicycle Coalition member Harry Fenton was killed by a speeding driver earlier this month.
🚇 UPDATE ON THE BLVD SUBWAY
Amidst a rough week for Philadelphia transit, we have some good news!
Citing our advocacy in a recent report, DVRPC has shared that they are now recategorizing their study of a Roosvelt Boulevard line from "Surface Transit" to "High-Capacity Transit".
While it is a small step, it is a step in the right direction to making the Roosevelt Blvd subway a reality.
🏆 FAIR CITY CHALLENGE COMMUNITY SHOWCASE
On Wednesday, October 8 at Independence Blue Cross Headquarters, the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia will announce the winner of the Fair City Challenge. The event celebrates the hard work of the 4 Accelerator participants:
- Climate Equity Home Fund | Somalisa Sahoo
- Raíces Capital Fund | Kersy Azocar
- North Roots x Bossed Up | Garrison Hines & Brandy Fortune
- The WEALTH Collective | Vonetta Hawkins, Almitra Tankersly, Clara Lyons-Devaughn
The winning team will take home $50,000! The event will also include a fireside chat with all 3 of the past Impact Labs winners to discuss social entrepreneurship and innovation. Drinks, food, and good energy provided with MC Dr. Kyle the Conductor and DJ Ron Jeez.
Fair City Challenge Community Showcase
Wednesday, October 8, 4-8pm
Independence Blue Cross HQ, 1901 Market St
🚌 GET INVOLVED WITH TRANSIT ADVOCACY
Want to get involved with advocating for transit funding? Join Transit Forward Philly for some events within the next month:
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Wednesday, October 15th (7-9pm) - Wednesday Night Ride
- Bikes and SEPTA Move Philly - Join Wednesday Night Rides for a bike ride along several restored SEPTA bus routes.
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Tuesday, October 21st (5:30-7pm) - October Transit Day of Action
- Learn how you can organize for transit benefits at your workplace and school.
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Saturday, October 25th (12-3pm) - Kensington Derby
- Join us as we participate in the Kensington Derby and advocate for transit funding.
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Monday, November 3rd (5-8pm) - Peoplehood Art Build
- Join Spiral Q to build transit themed art for the upcoming Peoplehood parade.
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Saturday, November 8th (12-3pm) - Peoplehood Parade
- March with TFP in the annual Peoplehood Parade!
🚗 SEPTA PARKING LOTS
SEPTA is seeking proposals for innovative and community-oriented short-term uses for its parking lots as part of its Transit Oriented Communities program.
They are looking for ideas to generate revenue, foster community engagement, and maximize the value of these station parking lots especially during evenings and weekends.
🏙️ OPEN STREETS
In Queen Village, 4th Street between Bainbridge and Catharine Streets will be car-free from 11am to 5pm on Saturday, October 11th and 18th. Attendees can enjoy expanded outdoor dining, shopping, extra seating, family-friendly entertainment, and musicians.
And on the other side of Broad, sections of Walnut and 18th Streets will be opened from 10am to 5pm on Sunday, October 12th as part of Center City District's West Walnut Open Streets.
🚨 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
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
🚌 TRANSIT
🚲 MOBILITY
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
South Street Headhouse District /
City of Philadelphia /
Keystone Bicycle Co. / Full-Time Team Member
Clean Air Council / Trail Outreach Coordinator
Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation / Policy Analyst
Old City District /
SEPTA / Planning Project Manager
Procurement and Contracts Specialist
Committee of Seventy / Communications Director
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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