The third Philly Free Streets is happening this Saturday on North Broad Street, with miles of streets closed to cars and open for people-powered fun and recreation
EVENTS
Tuesday, August 7, 6:30 pm
5th Square Organizing and Elections Committee
Tonight! Help elect urbanist candidates to City Council in 2019! Join our Organizing and Elections Committee for our second meeting to continue planning our organizing and electoral activities for the 2019 City Council elections.
Saturday, August 11, 8am - 1pm
Philly Free Streets
The third Philly Free Streets is happening this weekend, on Saturday, August 11th! This time the city will be opening up all of North Broad Street from City Hall to Erie Ave for car-free fun and physical activity. Philly Free Streets came about as a result of the Open Streets PHL advocacy campaign led by 5th Square leaders and volunteers after the Pope's visit, and is now an official City program. The City released more information about transit access, parking, and street closures this week.
Wednesday, August 15, 6:30 pm
5th Square Marketing Committee
Want to help produce and grow this newsletter, write blog posts and educational materials about urbanist policy ideas, or learn more about digital political communications during a City Council election year? Join us for the second meeting of 5th Square's new Marketing and Communications Committee on August 15th.
Monday, August 20, by Close of Business
Fast Forward Philly - Call for Presenters
Fast Forward Philly, hosted by AIA Philadelphia Emerging Architects on Friday, October 5th, is looking for presenters from various creative backgrounds to take on one burning question - “What’s next for Philly?” in 20 slides, 20 seconds each. No more, No less. Presentation proposals are due on Monday August 20th.
Wednesday, August 29th, 6:30 pm
5th Square Transit Committee Kick-off
Get involved in building a new transit rider advocacy organization for Philadelphia at our new Transit Committee kick-off meeting. The Transit Committee will combine rider organizing and leadership building with policy advocacy for changes to make SEPTA city transit more convenient, frequent, and dependable for riders.
MERCH
5th Square is selling a limited run artist series t-shirt, featuring an original illustration by Kate Otte. Proceeds from sales will go to fund our 2019 political activities for City Council races. You can get a shirt at half price ($10 instead of $20) if you become a member, and sign up for a $5 recurring monthly donation. 
NEWS
The Inquirer published a love letter to block parties from Fishtown resident Harold Burnett, along with a plea not to ruin the program with additional red tape for organizers. The Kenney administration announced a rule change for block party permits on August 1st requiring residents to first receive approval from their local Police District before they can apply for a block party permit from the Streets Department, putting additional burden on residents to enjoy a favorite city pastime.
A petition from Philadelphia 3.0 opposing the move had over 400 signatures as of Monday, and the Kenney administration is already signaling they're open to process changes, but aren't backing off police pre-screening yet.
Senator Cory Booker introduced a bill in the U.S. Senate aimed at fighting exclusionary zoning by tying Community Development Block Grants to development of local "strategies to reduce barriers to housing development and increase the supply of housing," the American Prospect reports, "Plans could include authorizing more high density and multifamily zoning and relaxing lot size restrictions...reduc[ing] parking requirements and restrictions on accessory dwelling units—small living units adjacent to larger homes."
The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) announced $1.8 million in grants for 23 "regional revitalization" projects, including three street safety studies at three intersections: Broad and Olney, Fox Chase Town Center, and Lehigh Avenue from Kensington to Aramingo Avenues.
Everything you wanted to know about bicycling, but were too afraid to ask LeBron James
OPPORTUNITIES
Parks and Recreation is hiring a 1st Deputy Commissioner for Strategy & Engagement
Design Advocacy Group is hiring a part-time Fellow to coordinate communications, monthly meetings and events, advocacy, and administration.
Committee of Seventy is accepting applications for their second cohort of Buchholz Fellows. Deadline extended to August 10th.
The Bicycle Coalition is hiring for several positions and also looking for car counting volunteers
The Rail Park is hiring a Community Engagement and Programs 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. Our work is made possible by generous, passionate people like you. Support our advocacy with a recurring monthly contribution of $5 or more.