🚨 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, and harming our access to the waterfront.

Join us in telling PennDOT that highway expansion has no place in the core of Philadelphia by signing our petition.

If you want to do more to help us push back against PennDOT's plans, you can become a 5th Square member today for $5 a month to support our advocacy efforts.

🛣️ RIGHT-OF-WAY ROUNDTABLE FRIDAY

This Friday January 26th, StreetBoxPHL, with 5th Square as a presenting partner, will be hosting the next session of the monthly Right-of-Way Roundtable Series.

Tune in to the upcoming virtual roundtable for a conversation with community development veterans Jesse Blitzstein and Tonnetta Graham.

🧭 VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION MONDAY

Want to become more involved in advocating for urbanist causes in 2024? Become a 5th Square volunteer!

We will be hosting a volunteer orientation this Monday January 29th which will be a great way to lean how you can get involved as a volunteer. We hope to see you at this meeting, but if you can't make it, don't fret! There will be a similar meetings in subsequent months.

🚇 TRANSIT FUNDING CLIFF

As NBC10 reports, SEPTA is exploring rate hike and service cuts, as ‘death spiral' looms

Last year's state budget left out millions that would support the mass transit system. Without the funding, something must be done in the face of a looming $240 million annual budget gap

Right now, we need Gov. Shapiro to act before SEPTA and agencies across the commonwealth fall off the transit funding cliff.

Call Governor Shapiro's office at (717) 787-2500. You can also text him at (717) 788-8990.  Let them know that you are constituent that values this issue!

Also, send a message to a half-dozen key state legislators using this email tool from Transit4All PA.

🏙️ FUTURE OF CITIES CONFERENCE

The University of Pennsylvania, with 5th Square as a partner, will be hosting its 2024 Future of Cities Conference on February 9th.

With the theme Embedded Environments, the conference will investigate the multifaceted implications of the internet of things, artificial intelligence, and other urban technologies on our natural and built environments.

EVENTS

Bicycle Coalition Open House
January 25th, 5-7pm, 1500 Walnut St #1107
Join the Bicycle Coalition board and staff for an Open House. You’ll have the opportunity to meet the new Executive Director, Chris Gale, enjoy drinks & light snacks, learn about the Bicycle Coalition’s plans for the new year, and connect with like-minded folks.

Ride the Wolf Moon Bike Ride
January 25th, 8:45pm, Art Museum Steps
Social night ride under the first full moon of 2024

StreetBoxPHL Right of Way Roundtable
Friday, January 26 · 12 - 1pm EST, Virtual
New Year, New Pedestrian Enhancements Preview! Join a conversation with community development veterans Jesse Blitzstein, Tonnetta Graham

5th Square Volunteer Orientation
January 29, 2024 at 12:30pm – 1:30pm, Virtual
Attend our virtual volunteer orientation meeting. At this meeting, we will:

1. Introduce our organization and recent campaigns.
2. Onboard folks with our tech.
3. Discuss and brainstorm upcoming 5th Square priorities and and volunteer opportunities.

DVRPC E-Micromobility Summit
February 8, 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM, 190 N. Independence Mall West
The use of e-bikes, e-scooters, and other e-micromobility devices has surged in recent years. The summit will explore evolving trends and address relevant questions about the safe integration of these electrified modes, equity, and accessibility.

Wharton - Weitzman Future of Cities Conference 2024
February 9 · 8am EST, 20 S 33rd Street
The Wharton-Weitzman Future of Cities Conference at the University of Pennsylvania is a premiere platform that brings together those who want to make cities better. With the theme Embedded Environments, our 2024 conference will investigate the multifaceted implications of the internet of things, artificial intelligence, and other urban technologies on our natural and built environments. 

2024 Philly Bike Expo
March 16-17th, Convention Center
The Philly Bike Expo is an annual weekend-long event featuring exhibitors, seminars, presentations and events representing the spectrum of cycling.

WHAT WE'RE READING

🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE

• inquirer.com / Lawmakers need to address the housing affordability crisis
• The Atlantic / The Culture War Tearing American Environmentalism Apart
• CNN / Boomers won’t part with their homes, and that’s a problem for young families
• inquirer.com / Neighbors oppose 33-unit apartment building proposed in Germantown due to its incompatibility with historic district
• WHYY / Philly’s Colored Girls Museum wins zoning approval

🌳 PUBLIC SPACE

• inquirer.com / I-95 reconstruction is really a widening project that will hurt Philly neighborhoods
• Strong Towns / It’s Always Too Late: How Freeway Fighters Are Kept out of the Conversation
• inquirer.com / Loo review No. 3: How Philly’s new public bathrooms are dooing after six months
• Billy Penn at WHYY / Heat map: Explore how Philadelphia’s tree plan can help cool neighborhoods

🚌 TRANSIT

🚴 MOBILITY

• Bicycle Coalition / Bicycling and Micromobility Trends in Philadelphia

GRANTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Community Spark Grants
In 2024, the League’s Bicycle Friendly America program will award Community Spark Grants, of $1,500 each, to 15 organizations for projects and programs that spark change and catalyze a community’s ability to create places where bicycling is a safe, easy, and more accessible option. Deadline February 1, 2024 at 5pm ET

Indego Community Ambassadors
The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability, in partnership with Indego, is currently seeking passionate individuals to join as Community Ambassadors. This initiative serves as a powerful bridge, connecting diverse communities in Philadelphia to the benefits of bike share. Apply by February 2

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia / Better Bike Share Partnership Educator

WHYY / Editor/Director, Billy Penn

New Kensington Community Development Corporation

• Director of Real Estate
• Director of Development

DVRPC

• Staff Accountant
• Senior Procurement & Contracts Specialist
• Transportation Planner
• Financial Reporting Senior Specialist
• Planning Data Specialist

East Coast Greenway Alliance / New Jersey and New York Greenway Manager

Clean Air Council / Transportation Outreach Coordinator

Delaware River Port Authority

• Director, Revenue & Treasury
• Assistant General Counsel

SEPTA

• Operations Analyst
• Project Manager - Bridges & Buildings
• Deputy Chief Operating Officer - Control Center

Fleisher Art Memorial / Deputy Director

Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition / Executive Director

Philadelphia Energy Authority / Residential Program Coordinator

South Asian American Digital Archive

• Executive Assistant
• Digital Archivist
• Program Coordinator

Baker Industries / President

Philadelphia City Fund / Partnerships Manager

Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia

• Donor Relations Manager
• Events Coordinator
• ReStore Assistant Manager

CRC Watersheds / Director of Giving and Outreach

Delaware Greenways / Trail Project Coordinator

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 or more.