✅ ANNOUNCING OUR ENDORSEMENTS
5th Square is proud to announce its endorsement for the following candidates for the 2024 Pennsylvania primary elections:
- Nikil Saval for the 1st Senate District
- Cass Green for the 10th House District
- Marylouise Isaacson for the 175th House District
- Joe Hohenstein for the 177th House District
- Malcolm Kenyatta for the 181st House District
- Ben Waxman for the 182nd House District
- Elizabeth Fiedler for the 184th House District
- Tarik Khan for the 194th House District
- Andre Carroll for the 201st House District
These candidates will best represent our mission to make Philadelphia a more accessible, transit-friendly city for everyone. 5th Square's membership overwhelmingly voted to approve these endorsements.
If you want to learn more about the candidates, check out our 2024 election center where we've posted their responses to our questionnaire.
Want to decide who we endorse in future elections? Become a 5th Square member for as little as $5 per month.
On the subject of elections, 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.
🚌 SHOW UP TO SUPPORT BUS REVOLUTION
In case you missed it, SEPTA's Bus Revolution was delayed due to concerns from City Council.
SEPTA has now scheduled more meetings and we need you to show up to them to show your support.
We support Bus Revolution and you should too. Here's why:
-
This redesign will create nearly a dozen more high-frequency routes, increasing service reliability and speeds – resulting in over a million more people gaining access to frequent bus routes.
-
The proposal would also improve service at non-peak times and weekends, which has the greatest benefit for low-income households and those with no car access.
-
SEPTA has already conducted extensive engagement on Bus Revolution over three years, over 200 meetings, and collecting over 20,000 comments
-
More delay will not produce a better outcome. Implementation has already been delayed over a year to collect more feedback and to adjust routes. No bus network is ever a finished product; SEPTA will resume mandatory annual adjustments to its routes after Bus Revolution’s implementation is complete.
Find a meeting to show up to here.
🛣️ LESSONS FROM WASHINGTON AVE
Remember the Washington Ave redesign fiasco? The City recently published a study on how the newly redesigned street is faring and the results are very encouraging. Despite opposition from those concerned with proposed safety improvements, traffic volumes decreased, the 64 bus is now faster, and you're more likely to find an available parking spot.
For more details, the Inquirer's editorial board dives into the study: Traffic safety, Washington Ave., and a new way of thinking about urban planning
"Ultimately, Johnson pulled the rug out from underneath the plan entirely, at least for the portion of Washington Avenue west of Broad Street that runs through his district. This left safety measures to be installed only on the part of the avenue inside Councilmember Mark Squilla’s district.
Johnson said his opposition to the plan was the result of his concerns about the potentially negative impact on businesses and development from increased traffic congestion. Instead, the new report shows that the flow of traffic has improved."
🤝 CANDIDATE MEET AND GREET
We will be hosting a candidate meet & greet on Tuesday, April 2nd at 6 PM, at Indy Hall in Northern Liberties. We will be welcoming the following endorsed candidates running for State Senate and State House in the upcoming primary:
- Nikil Saval for the 1st Senate District
- Cass Green for the 10th House District
- Joe Hohenstein for the 177th House District
- Malcolm Kenyatta for the 181st House District
- Andre Carroll for the 201st House District
- Staff from Ben Waxman for the 182nd House District
These meet-ups are casual social gatherings, and are intended as a fun way for new and existing supporters to connect with other people involved with 5th Square and urbanist issues in Philadelphia. Pizza, seltzer, and beer will be provided with a suggested donation of $10 for members or $20 for non-members.
🚨 ACTION ITEMS
🗑️ Clean Philadelphia Now Petition
Are you fed up with litter, illegal dumping, and having to clean up streets, sidewalks, and public spaces over and over? So many of us are, across Philadelphia. Let’s put our voices together to make sure our next Mayor prioritizes cleaning up our neighborhoods. Add your voice by filling out the petition.
🏫 Support Clean Air in Philly Schools
Many of Philadelphia's schools lack ventilation, air conditioning, and consistent heat. Inadequate ventilation and air filtration in our schools contribute to the spread of respiratory viruses like COVID, flu, RSV, and colds as well as exacerbating asthma. Sign this letter to call on the Philadelphia Board of Education to take action now.
✍️ 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.
EVENTS
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.
USDOT Climate Change Center Webinar: Transit-Oriented Development
March 25th, 2:30-4:00 PM | Virtual
The USDOT Climate Change Center is hosting a 2024 webinar series on climate change and transportation topics, ranging from greenhouse gas reduction strategies to climate resilience activities to research and technology advancements.
March 25 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm | 401 Lombard St
Queen Village Neighborhood Association in partnership with Philly Bike Action is hosting a community meeting to talk about how to build safe streets for walking, biking and rolling in Philadelphia. Councilman Mark Squilla of District 1 will be our guest speaker and present to answer any and all questions. Open to the public – all are welcome!
Philly Bike Action Citywide Meeting with Chris Gale
April 1, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM | Philadelphia Ethical Society
On April 1st we are stoked to have Chris Gale, the new Executive Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia speaking out our monthly Citywide Meeting. Come hear about his goals and get involved with making Philadelphia the safest city to ride a bike in.
2024 Candidate Meet & Greet
April 02, 6:00pm – 8pm | Indy Hall, 709 N 2nd
5th Square is hosting a candidate meet & greet where we are welcoming our endorsed candidates running for State Senate and State House in the upcoming primary.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
🚌 TRANSIT
🚴 MOBILITY
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation / Director, Multi-Family Development
Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance
Delaware River Watershed / Professionals of Color Cohort 2024 (apply by April 1)
City of Philadelphia
PIDC / Economic Development Intern, Capitalization and Impact
DVRPC
- Economic Development Planner
- Financial Reporting Senior Specialist
- Transportation Planner
- Program Coordinator/Senior Program Coordinator
- Senior Procurement & Contracts Specialist
- Staff Accountant
Pennsylvania Environmental Council / Program Manager, Trails & Outdoor Recreation
Connect the Dots / Project Manager
Society Hill Civic Association / Administrator
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy /
Fairmount Park Conservancy
YIMBY Law
Delaware & Lehigh /
Riverfront North / Project Director
Parking Reform Network / Policy Director
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
2024 Mpact Transit + Community Conference Call for Speakers
The Mpact Transit + Community Conference focuses on the interplay of transit, mobility, land use and development in building great places to live - for everyone and they are putting out a call for speakers. Add your voice and help shape the vision for transit-oriented communities. Closes March 29.
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.