ACTION
Tomorrow, November 5th is Election Day!
Pennsylvania polling places are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Go to the Pennsylvania Department of State’s website to find your polling place.
5th Square is endorsing three champions for City Council who align with our organization's core values and will advocate for a more sustainable Philadelphia with safe and affordable transportation, abundant housing and better public spaces.
At-Large
#116 for Helen Gym
#716 for Kendra Brooks
3rd District (West Philadelphia)
#121 for Jamie Gauthier
Visit Our 2019 Election Center Page
Help Save the Delaware Waterfront from More Suburban Sprawl
On Tuesday, November 12th, the Zoning Board of Adjustment will have their rescheduled hearing on developer Bart Blatstein's latest attempt to ruin the Delaware River Waterfront with a huge suburban-style gas station / convenience store. We are looking for volunteers to come to this hearing and make your voice heard opposing this plan. Please respond directly to this email if you're able to attend.
Can't make the meeting? The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) has an easy email tool to voice your opposition at the bottom of this link.
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
Monday, November 4th, 6 - 8 PM
Fishtown Kensington Area BID Q&A Session
BID organizers are hosting an additional public meeting to answer questions from property owners and neighbors about the proposed Fishtown Kensington Area Business Improvement District, now moving through City Council.
Tuesday, November 5th, 7 AM - 8 PM
*** GENERAL ELECTION DAY ***
Find your polling place and vote for a better Philadelphia with safe and affordable transportation, abundant housing and better public spaces!
Thursday, November 7th, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
GovLabPHL Form Redesign
Have you ever felt lost while filling out a government form? The City of Philadelphia wants to fix that, and in 2018, they convened a workshop to redesign six city forms. At the PHL Form Redesign event this week, staff will show off the redesigned forms and talk about their process.
Friday, November 8th, 4 - 7 PM
Pivot Park Block Party and Grand Opening
Celebrate the Grand Opening of Pivot Park, located on the corner of 37th and Market St. Explore this new public space with an Opening Ceremony and family-friendly public Block Party presented by University City Science Center, CIC Philadelphia and Wexford Science & Technology
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 14th, 6 - 9 PM
"Cozy Homes" - APAPASE Yearly Event
Join the American Planning Association, Pennsylvania Chapter, Southeast Section for their annual event. Sustainable design, cozy homes, housing trends. Speakers: Robert Fleming//Stephanie Sena//Brett Madsen
Sunday, November 17th, 2 - 4 PM
World Day of Remembrance Philadelphia
Join Family For Safes Streets of Greater Philadelphia at City Hall's North Apron for an event to remember and bring awareness to victims of traffic violence in the Philadelphia region.
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
Due to the opposition from a small group of neighbors affiliated with Society Hill Civic Association, Mayor Kenney's transportation officials have decided not to install critical intersection flex-post protections in Society Hill, once again putting NIMBY nonsense ahead of safety. If you live in Society Hill, we encourage you to sign onto this letter demanding this vital safety feature.
Watch this video to see why we need Automated Bus Lane Enforcement here in Philadelphia. Cities like New York are using existing bus-mounted camera technology to fight the pervasive problem of vehicles blocking the bus lane, which makes taking the bus a less reliable way to get around for tens of thousands of people.
The City of Philadelphia and the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation recently unveiled plans for a new park over I-95 in Old City. This new piece of civic infrastructure will create 12 acres of green space that will become “The Park at Penn’s Landing.”
Follow the steps in this link to help advocate for cycling access to and in the proposed park.
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
How To Join The Group That Advises PennDOT. The Pennsylvania Pedalcycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, commonly referred to as PPAC, is comprised of members of the public who advise PennDOT about bike/ped issues. Members serve 3-year terms, which are due to expire soon. Members meet quarterly (four times per year) in Harrisburg, with any travel costs reimbursed by PennDOT.
ULI Philadelphia is now accepting applications for the 2020 Mentorship Program. The purpose of this program is to foster an exchange of professional ideas, friendship, and expertise among young professionals and industry veterans to enhance the growth curve and experience of both parties. Our Young Leaders’ Mentorship Committee will pair younger ULI members with more experienced members, based on shared interests, backgrounds, and goals.
Summer of Maps offers pro-bono geospatial data analysis for nonprofits. In this webinar, we will provide examples of past projects completed during the program and how they have helped nonprofit organizations.
Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) seeks interest from qualified developers to pursue the exciting opportunity to develop eleven acres on the Delaware River at Penn’s Landing into mixed-use developments with spectacular views of the Delaware River north and south, existing and planned parks and the Philadelphia skyline. The opportunity is comprised of two parcels, both bound by Columbus Boulevard and the Delaware River.
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
The Enterprise Center CDC seeks 52nd St Corridor Manager
The Steering Committee of the Fishtown Kensington Area Business Improvement District (“FKABID”) is offering an exciting opportunity for a highly qualified, motivated, innovative and creative candidate to serve as its inaugural Executive Director.
Zimmerman Studio is looking for a Project Architect with 6-12 years of professional experience
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
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.