🗳️ GETTING READY FOR THE ELECTION
There's an election coming up again and 5th Square is getting ready for it. Our members will be deciding which candidates we will endorse and we want you to join us as a member.
If you're not already, become a member today for as little as $5 a month to make sure you can help us decide who to endorse.
We recently sent out our questionnaires to candidates to see which candidates share our urbanist values. Once we get questionnaire responses back later this week, we will publish them in our 2024 election center. Our members will be voting on our endorsements in March, so be sure to become a member before then!
On the subject, make sure you're registered to vote! If you're not already registered you can register to vote here and then you can request an absentee or mail-in ballot. To vote in the primary, you must register by April 8th.
🧊 PHILLY PHREEZE RECAP
Together with your help, we raised over $5000 to help Philly's public pools reopen for the summer by participating in the Philly Phreeze fundraiser.
This past Saturday, donors from 5th Square took a plunge into the phreezing cold waters of Kelly Pool! Thanks again to all those who donated to support Philly's public pools!
Photo credit: Asia Mieleszko
Weren't able to donate before the Phreeze? You can still donate here to help them reach their goal.
🚅 TRANSPORTATION CAMP PHL
On Saturday March 23rd, TransportationCamp will be returning to Philadelphia for the seventh time.
The participant-driven TransportationCamp conference series follows the “unconference” format, lending itself to a more pertinent, thought-provoking, and active event.
Whether you work in the industry or simply have an interest, get your ticket for a day filled with ideas at the intersection of transportation, technology, and urbanism.
👕 NEW BLVD SUBWAY SHIRTS
We are excited to announce that we are releasing a new design for our Roosevelt Blvd Subway t-shirts.
Support the subway in style with this design by Philly artist GRIMGRIMGRIM. You can preorder now for delivery in late March.
5th Square members enjoy a $5 discount & early shipping (check your email inbox)!
🚨 ACTION ITEMS
✍️ Walk Roll Delco Survey
Delaware County is embarking on a mission to enhance the quality of life for its residents through the development of an Active Transportation Plan. Take the survey.
🚌 Support SEPTA Bus Revolution
Buses are a vital lifeline for getting folks around Philly, with many neighborhoods completely reliant on this service being fast, frequent, and reliable. SEPTA’s Bus Revolution would make buses more useful for more people by redesigning its entire bus network which would result in over a million more people gaining access to frequent bus routes.
Learn more about why we support Bus Revolution and sign our petition in support.
💸 Support SEPTA Funding
Governor Shapiro has announced that he plans to direct $282 million in sales tax revenue to SEPTA and other PA transit agencies. This will cover a significant portion of SEPTA's deficit, but we must keep up the fight ensure Governor Shapiro's proposed funding comes through and to find an additional funding source to cover the remaining deficit.
You can help by signing this petition, and reaching out to elected officials.
🛣️ 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.
🗳️ Register to Vote
Planning to vote in the upcoming primary election? You can register to vote here and then you can request an absentee or mail-in ballot. To vote in the primary, you must register by April 8th.
5TH SQUARE IN THE NEWS
The Inquirer:
The plan for revised bus routes, called Bus Revolution, has been under public review for more than two years. Public transit experts, SEPTA leadership, SEPTA riders, and community members have reviewed the plan, which has been adjusted in response to criticism.
The strengths of the new routes, summarized by Will Tung, an organizer with urbanist group 5th Square, include the creation of about a dozen more high-frequency routes, increasing service reliability and speeds, improving service at nonpeak travel times, and improving weekend service, which would have the greatest benefit for lower-income workers and those with no car access.
EVENTS
NightCyclePHL 2024 Expo Ride
Saturday March 16, 6:00 PM | Rail Park
Night Cycle's bringin back the Expo Ride of pre-COVID yore with a ride to Keystone Bike's big expo party at 7pm at 1800 N American St.
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.
Vision Zero PHL 2024
March 22, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM | 1755 N 13th St
The day-long conference exploring Vision Zero and featuring local and nationally-recognized speakers & panelists will be held in person at Temple University.
TransportationCamp PHL
March 23, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM | 3245 Chestnut St
Whether you work in the industry or simply have an interest, we welcome you physically to our nation’s birthplace at the center of the NEC for a day filled with ideas at the intersection of transportation, technology, and urbanism.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
🚌 TRANSIT
🚴 MOBILITY
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Society Hill Civic Association / Administrator
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy /
Fairmount Park Conservancy
Councilmember Gauthier's Office / Zoning and Planning Aide
Northern Liberties BID / Marketing and Events Coordinator
YIMBY Law
Delaware & Lehigh
Riverfront North / Project Director
Parking Reform Network / Policy Director
NV5 /
DVRPC
- Financial Reporting Senior Specialist
- Transportation Planner
- Program Coordinator/Senior Program Coordinator
- Senior Procurement & Contracts Specialist
- Staff Accountant
Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia / Better Bike Share Partnership Educator
WHYY /
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Philadelphia City Planning Commission Working Group
PCPC is currently preparing an update to the comprehensive plan called Our Philadelphia.
Our Philadelphia promotes more equitable investment across all neighborhoods. PCPC seeks graduates of the Citizens Planning Institute and members of the Our Philadelphia Steering Committee to join a Working Group that will prepare for future engagement efforts. The Working Group will provide a space for residents and staff to collaborate on how best to conduct educational processes within priority communities. This will lay the foundation for residents to fully engage in the update of the comprehensive plan. Working Group participants will receive a stipend of $1,200. Apply by March 6, 2024
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.