Make your voting plan for November 5th!
5th Square is thrilled to support three champions for City Council who align with our organization's core values and advocate for a better Philadelphia with safe and affordable transportation, abundant housing and better public spaces.
At-Large
Hit button #116 for Helen Gym
Hit button #716 for Kendra Brooks
3rd District (West Philadelphia)
#121 for Jamie Gauthier
Visit Our 2019 Election Center Page for More
Here are the details on our process for endorsing Kendra Brooks and some upcoming opportunities to help her campaign.
Thank you to all the candidates who participated in our endorsement process
Making endorsements is never easy and the candidates in this election cycle really reflected the immense progress that's been made raising the status of urbanist values in city politics since our founding in 2014.
We appreciate all of the time the campaigns put into thinking about these issues and engaging with our members during this campaign season.
We look forward to working with all of the new and returning Council members in January!
Save the Date: "Should the Law Subsidize Driving?" Event with Greg Shill on November 21st, presented by DVSGA and 5th Square
On Thursday, November 21st, we're pleased to be co-hosting an event with Delaware Valley Smart Growth Alliance featuring University of Iowa professor Greg Shill, author of the forthcoming paper "Should Law Subsidize Driving?"
Read the paper or this shorter magazine article-length version of Dr. Shill's argument in The Atlantic, reviewing all the ways that the law stacks the deck in favor of automotive transportation—and how we can start to unwind this regressive, expensive, and environmentally disastrous system.
The event will be held the morning of November 21st at Obermeyer and there will be light refreshments.
EVENTS
Tuesday, October 29th, 10 AM - 12 PM
Stand Up for Renters: Philly Needs Right to Counsel for Renters!
City Council will hold a hearing on a Right to Counsel bill at City Hall. A renter’s Right to Counsel would mean every low-income tenant facing eviction would have access to an attorney.
Tuesday, October 29th, 6 - 8 PM
October Data Visualization Meetup
The Philly Data Visualization meetup is back and the theme is Creative Coding and expanding the idea of what data visualization can be.
Tuesday, October 29th, 6 - 9 PM
Bicycle Coalition: 2019 Gala & Awards Dinner
Join the Bicycle Coalition at their Annual Gala and Awards Dinner as they celebrate agents of change in the region’s cycling community.
Friday, November 1st, 6 - 9 PM
Graffiti Pier: Let's Talk About Its Future
The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation is hosting the first public meeting about the future of Graffiti Pier, at Cherry Street Pier.
Saturday & Sunday, November 1st & 2nd
2019 Philly Bike Expo
Now in its 10th year, the Expo offers inspiration, information, and entertainment to cycling aficionados and novices alike. Held at the PA Convention Center, the Expo features exhibits, demos, workshops, seminars, kids activities, and a spacious indoor test-ride area.
Saturday, November 2nd, 4:30 - 7 PM
Round Table Discussion About Race & Equity in Cycling for People of Color
The panelists will be discussing the ways in which racism, white supremacy, and patriarchy manifests in the cycling industry and forces POC in the community to navigate acute challenges.
Tuesday, November 12th, 9:30 - 11:30 AM
Support a Walkable Delaware Waterfront at the ZBA
Plans for a walkable, bikeable, and mixed-use Delaware River waterfront are in jeopardy with a suburban-style gas station / convenience store proposed for Columbus Blvd and Tasker Ave. Come to the Zoning Board meeting to let them know you oppose this project.
Thursday, November 21st, 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM
*** Gregory Shill on how the law subsidizes driving ***
DVSGA and 5th Square are co-hosting a presentation by legal scholar, Professor Gregory Shill of the University of Iowa, about his forthcoming paper "Should Law Subsidize Driving?", a detailed review of how local, state, and federal laws subsidize automobility over other modes of transportation.
NEWS
‘I don’t have the support’ 3rd District Councilmemberd Jannie Blackwell withdrew her bill to mandate more parking in new developments! -- Thanks to your help, we were able to help defeat a bill that would've been a disaster for sustainability and affordability. Researchers have found that requiring more space for cars encourages less dense and more expensive housing development.
Following up on Right-to-Know requests our volunteers filed seeking information about protective equipment for city workers operating leaf blowers, PlanPhilly uncovered a stunning lack of attention to worker safety in Mayor Kenney's street sweeping pilot program. Feces and needles ‘jumping in the air’: City street cleaners want better safety gear.
A great read from oTIS' Chris Puchalsky: Stealing a few ideas from Copenhagen can make Philly the best Philly - After visiting the Danish Capital with the Mayor and other Philadelphia City officials, Puchalsky considers how Philadelphia can become a more transit-friendly and bike-friendly city.
The Inquirer's Inga Saffron visited the new car-free 14th St in New York City and wrote a column challenging the conventional wisdom that the Chestnut Street Transitway's record means car-free downtown streets won't work here.
RCO OPPORTUNITIES
West Passyunk Neighbors Association is looking for Board Members! There are several openings on the WPNA Board serving a 2-year term (2020-2022).
East Passyunk Crossing Civic Association is seeking 2020 Board Members.
Fishtown Neighbors Association is seeking nominations for its 2020 Board.
The Enterprise Center is seeking nominations for their Neighborhood Advisory Subcommittee in West Philadelphia
GRANTS / PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES
The Office of Arts, Culture and The Creative Economy (OACCE) Culture in Neighborhoods program transforms Philadelphia’s public indoor spaces into neighborhood hubs of creativity. Proposals will be accepted until January 3, 2020 for events that will take place between August 2019 – February 2020.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Rebuild is seeking a highly-motivated and detail-oriented Workforce Development Coordinator to support Rebuild’s workforce development initiatives by providing excellent program coordination and administrative support.
Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission is hiring a
Powered by the United Way, Social Venture Partners Philadelphia is in the process of launching and is seeking an SVP Associate.
Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania is seeking a Bucks County Director
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is seeking a Recreation Specialty Instruction (RSI) who will serve as a Sustainability Specialist supporting the goals of Zero Waste & Litter, and other sustainable practices.
The Department of Public Policy and Administration at Rutgers University’s Camden campus invites applications for a full-time tenure track Assistant Professor-Urban Studies and Community Development for the academic year beginning 2020-2021.
The Pew Charitable Trusts is seeking a Senior Associate, Philadelphia Research Initiative
PIDC is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and entrepreneurial professional to join their team in a new role as Research and Project Manager.
Share Food Program is looking for a Volunteer Engagement and Development Manager to help build and sustain strong volunteer partnerships with individuals and groups, and support enhanced development activities.
Greenworks is seeking a Policy and Program Coordinator. Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability (OOS) is responsible for implementing Greenworks: A Vision for a Sustainable Philadelphia, the City’s comprehensive sustainability plan.
The North 5th Street Revitalization Project (N5SRP) is seeking an outgoing, organized, and community-minded individual to join its passionate team as its Broad & Olney Corridor Manager.
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.