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5th Square Advocacy

@5thsqadvocacy.org
2.7K followers 716 following 642 posts

Grassroots urbanist organizers working towards a more accessible, sustainable, and equitable Philadelphia. Weekly Newsletter: www.5thsqadvocacy.org/subscribe

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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 6h
On Monday night, more than 500 of you joined us for the urbanist event of the season: CityNerd Live in Philly: The City’s Scorecard. We hosted @nerd4cities.bsky.social Ray Delahanty for a live show discussing what Philly gets right and wrong when it comes to transit, walkability, and affordability.
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 25/09/2026
Red light cameras work! www.inquirer.com/transportati...
inquirer.com
Fewer people are running red lights, PPA says
Red-light cameras have proved their worth, says the Philadelphia Parking Authority's leader. Enforcement is scheduled to end July 15, 2027, unless the state legislature renews the law.
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 24/09/2026
Send this form email from @bikeaction.org calling for safety improvements on the South Street Bridge to be fast tracked. Nearly 500 people per hour bike across this bridge during rush hour--they deserve safer conditions! bikeaction.org/maillink/vie...
bikeaction.org
Philly Bike Action!
Join the Action!
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 19/09/2026
Councilmember Young wants to weaken our lifesaving speed camera program by reducing fines even for reckless drivers going 30+ mph over the speed limit! Tell City Council not to let it happen: www.5thsqadvocacy.org/Speed-camera...
5thsqadvocacy.org
Speed Cameras Action | 5th Square Advocacy
Tell City Council to stand up for safe streets and protect Philadelphia families: Say NO to Bill 260699!
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 18/09/2026
Our housing organizer Dr. Jay Arzu was on @nbcphiladelphia.com to discuss the Roosevelt Boulevard subway and what we need to do as a city to prepare for federal funding.
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 18/09/2026
We turned out to the first session of city council yesterday in support of Transit Oriented Communities! Let’s get this done!
Group of four people standing and smiling holding signs reading "MORE HOMES NEAR TRANSIT"
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 17/09/2026
Listen in to Tuesday's @citycastphilly.bsky.social episode to hear our board member Fae Ehsan discussing the interplay between housing and third spaces. The discussion starts at 21:21. www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMSd...
youtube.com
Ranking Philly Sports Experiences, Housing vs. Third Spaces & Where to Scream
YouTube video by City Cast Philly
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Blvd Subway @blvdsubway.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
🚨 Philly Planning Commission takes up Roosevelt Blvd plans TOMORROW. How to comment: 📧 Email planning@phila.gov by NOON Thu 9/17 📝 Subject: Public Comment, Agenda Item 4 💬 Say: move the Roosevelt Blvd Subway into design & engineering.
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 15/09/2026
Tonight at 6pm! It'll be a great time, come join us!
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 10/09/2026
Yesterday, a woman wearing scrubs was hit while biking eastbound on the South Street Bridge. This is the most biked bridge in all of PA. On any given day, an order of magnitude more people walk, bike, or take the bus across this bridge than drive personal vehicles.
Picture of the eastern end of the South Street Bridge. Cones are blocking off the section where the right-turn lane and bike lane intersect
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 08/09/2026
Join us next Tuesday, 9/15, for a meetup at Roxborough Pocket Park! 5thsq.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/ne...
A group of people sitting and standing in Roxborough Pocket Park while Rep Tarik Khan speaks in front of them
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 07/09/2026
Using SEPTA Key Advantage as an incentive to attract jobs to Philadelphia is a smart move and we are thrilled to have played a small part in its founding! www.inquirer.com/real-estate/...
What government incentives are going to Burlington?
$30 million: How much Burlington is set to receive in grants from Pennsylvania.
$8 million: What the City of Philadelphia plans to invest in Burlington's move, including a $7 million forgivable loan and $1 million for a year of free SEPTA passes for employees.
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Ray Delahanty | CityNerd @nerd4cities.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
About to find out what it’s like to be in the same room as 500 rabid Philly urbanists. Pray for me
static.klipy.com
Gritty Philadelphia Flyers Mascot
Alt: Gritty Philadelphia Flyers Mascot
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 04/09/2026
As anti-Flock sentiment gains momentum, we want to remind everyone: red light/speed cameras ≠ Flock cameras Flock cameras are used for surveillance. Red light and speed cameras are used to enforce specific traffic violations in a privacy preserving way--and they save lives! 🧵
inquirer.com
Shapiro is wary of Flock cameras and the potential loss of privacy
The governor believes Pennsylvanians' privacy may be at risk, according to a spokesperson.
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Clem A Kaos @clemakaos.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Ditch your money pit on wheels. And that's NOT your bike. Habituate walking, think of mobility as a menu of options rather than a car/no-car binary, carry a fare card, install a transit app. @thewaroncars.bsky.social @5thsqadvocacy.org @bcgp.bsky.social gift: share.inquirer.com/GEkUiX
share.inquirer.com
How to give up your car (sometimes), save money, and save the planet
It’s a big life change, so take things one step at a time.
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 28/08/2026
Very close to selling out our CityNerd event on 9/28! Get your tickets today! Link ⬇️ www.5thsqadvocacy.org/citynerd
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Ray Delahanty | CityNerd @nerd4cities.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
I’m hearing fewer than 50 spots left for this. Still a coin flip whether this sells out before Seattle
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Progress & Poverty Institute @pandpinst.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Philly has tens of thousands of vacant lots, and needs as many homes. Could taxing land more, and buildings less, fill vacant land with much-needed housing? Learn more at our Sept 8 webinar hosted by AIA-Philly! Register: aiaphiladelphia.org/events/view/...
aiaphiladelphia.org
Land Value Tax Presentation & Discussion
What if the way we tax land could unlock more housing, fairer development, and a stronger Philadelphia? Join the Housing Committee on September 8th, 9–10 AM, for a virtual conversation with the Progre...
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 16/08/2026
Tickets are now available to the general public for our @nerd4cities.bsky.social live event next month! Get yours here: www.5thsqadvocacy.org/citynerd
5thsqadvocacy.org
Neon Events
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 03/08/2026
@nerd4cities.bsky.social is coming to Philly on September 28th! Ticket presale is now open to 5th Square Advocacy members. If you're not a member, sign up today! 5thsq.app.neoncrm.com/forms/member...
Graphic advertising an event titled "CityNerd Live in Philly: The City's Scorecard". The background image is an aerial shot of an L train with pictures of three individuals on top and logos of 5th Square Advocacy and Progress and Poverty Institute.
The graphic's text reads:
"A deep discussion on what Philly gets right and wrong in terms of walkability, transit, and affordability with Ray Delahanty. Special Guest Dr. Jay Arzu, Roosevelt Blvd Subway. Emcee Corinne Lagermasini, 5th Square Advocacy. Monday, September 28 at 7pm, Resurrection Philadelphia, 128 S 17th St - Philadelphia, PA."
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Joi Washington, Media Borough Mayor @mayorjoi.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Thank you @5thsqadvocacy.org! It was great seeing everyone and sharing my speech with everyone today!
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 28/07/2026
Great turnout for today’s Transit Forward Philly Transit Marathon.  Kicking off 24 hours on transit meeting with riders, elected officials and neighborhood groups from across the SEPTA service area.  Transit funding is more important than ever and we are proud to participate!
Councilmember Squilla standing in front of a group of people holding transit signsTwo people holding Transit for All PA signs and wearing shirts reading “Transit moves us”Two people wearing shirts reading “Build the Roosevelt Blvd Subway!”A group of people wearing shirts and holding signs in support of transit, standing in front of Philadelphia City Hall
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 24/07/2026
Hurry, we’ve gotta build some more bike lanes here in Philly ASAP
Screenshot of GQ Sports with a photo of LeBron wearing a bike helmet and a headline reading “LeBron James Is a Big Bike Guy”.Interviewer: In your career, we've seen you biking in Cleveland, and then in Miami. LA's obviously a little trickier. Tell me about where biking fits into your life right now.

LeBron: It's definitely a lot trickier, because it's heavy traffic here, things of that nature. But we ride bikes here a lot. Not as much as I do back home when I'm in Ohio, because we have a lot of bike paths and things like that, which helps. But yeah, biking's still a part of our life here in Los Angeles.
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 24/07/2026
Far too many Philadelphians have been killed or seriously injured in crashes on West Market Street. It's time for a change. That's why we rallied with @bikeaction.org and @bcgp.bsky.social to demand PennDOT implement safety improvements on West Market Street.
A Man wearing a PBA shirt speaks into a microphone in front of a crowd holding signs supporting safe streets.A man speaks into a microphone in front of a crowd holding signs supporting safe streets, with TV cameras pointed at them.A man wearing a Philadelphia City Council shirt speaks into a microphone in front of a crowd holding signs supporting safe streets.A woman standing with a child wearing a Jay Alert shirt speaks into a microphone in front of a crowd holding signs supporting safe streets.
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 21/07/2026
Right after the two-year memorial for Dr. Friedes and on the very block where she was killed. This is exactly why we need concrete protection.
Amazon van blocking Spruce Street bike lane with Dr. Barbara Friedes's ghost bike in the foreground
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peter k @peterskim.org · 21/07/2026
Great episode, especially because of all the love for Philly. @wednightrides.org also gets a shout out. Thanks for coming to our amazing city! The Philly part starts at the 53:30 mark.
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 20/07/2026
@iancoss.bsky.social's Highway Teardown Tour came to Philadelphia for an episode on I-95 with @ingasaffron.bsky.social, @dpearsonphl.bsky.social, and Leslie Richards--it's a great listen: www.wgbh.org/podcasts/big...
wgbh.org
Highway Teardown Tour | 9. Philadelphia, PA
Even as cities try to heal the damage of the interstate era, we are also continuing to expand our urban highways, continuing to turn parks and neighborhoods into new lanes and new off-ramps. So why is...
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 20/07/2026
We made the news! Inside Climate News quoted two of our organizers. Dr. Jay Arzu: "In the year we celebrate 250 years of this great country, let’s fund the system that moves it" Alex Milone: "SEPTA is being forced to burn the furniture to heat the house" insideclimatenews.org/news/0907202...
insideclimatenews.org
Pennsylvania’s Legislature Is Likely to Punt on Mass Transit Funding—Again - Inside Climate News
Last year’s temporary fix relieved the pressure to find long-term funding for transit agencies, setting up another high-stakes fight down the road.
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 19/07/2026
Tomorrow morning at 8:30am, meet us at 18th and Spruce! There will be a community memorial in honor of Dr. Barbara Friedes, two years after we lost her to a reckless driver who hit her while she biked in the unprotected bike lane. Bring a full water bottle to pour into a symbolic memorial.
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 03/07/2026
Philly represents in this video! Also, Save the date: Monday 9/28 👀
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 30/06/2026
Check out today’s episode of @citycastphilly.bsky.social featuring our board member Fae Ehsan in a deep dive into our More Homes Near Transit campaign!
philly.citycast.fm
Can a Free July 4 Concert Keep You in Philly? Plus, Pension Loophole & SEPTA Housing - City Cast Philly
Are you sticking around for the semiquincentennial celebrations this weekend? Host Trenae Nuri, senior producer Abby Fritz, and Fae Ehsan, a board...
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 12/06/2026
As the Transit-Oriented Communities bills passed from City Council, we are thrilled to see support from councilmembers across Philly for including more stations. Council President Johnson is showing true leadership here by looking into opting in all of the South Broad St Subway stops!
share.inquirer.com
Philly has a new law to boost development around transit. Which neighborhoods will benefit?
A new bill could be way to boost SEPTA ridership, but City Council controls which stations benefit.
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 12/06/2026
Check out the latest Op-Ed in today’s Inquirer by our housing organizer Jay Arzu in support of more homes near transit! “Philadelphia spent a century building a public transit system. The least we owe the next generation is the right to live next to it.”
share.inquirer.com
Philadelphia built a mass transit system. Now let people live next to it. | Opinion
Council should pass legislation extending a zoning change from the Market-Frankford El to other SEPTA rail lines and our busiest bus corridors.
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Mosh Lee @mosh.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Completely redesigned Market Street in Old City opened today. This doesn't even look like America! (complimentary) cc @bcgp.bsky.social @5thsqadvocacy.org
Off-street bike lane on east Market Street, Philadelphia, June 2026Market St cobblestones, Philadelphia, 2026
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 04/06/2026
Transit Oriented Communities passed out of Committee on Rules yesterday! Thank you to all our organizers and supporters who showed up to voice support for More Homes Near Transit (notably there were zero opponents). We look forward to supporting this bill’s passage through the full council soon.
Supporters holding signs that say “More Homes Near Transit”
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peter k @peterskim.org · 02/06/2026
Here's the route for that ride. Now let's get a bike lane in the rest of them! Thanks @bikeaction.org @5thsqadvocacy.org @bcgp.bsky.social for the amazing advocacy effort! ridewithgps.com/routes/41869...
ridewithgps.com
WNR 2023.02.22 Streets With Enough for a Bike Lane
Headhouse Sq to Other Half Brewing - 6.6 mi, +105 ft. Bike ride in Philadelphia, PA
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 29/05/2026
Today’s announcement from Gov. Shapiro spending $30 million in state funds for Stadium District roadways is a major disappointment when SEPTA is still facing a long-term funding crisis threatening transit service
inquirer.com
Gov. Shapiro announces almost $30 million highway investment for Philly stadium district
The state investment will largely be spent on a new I-76 entrance.
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The War on Cars @thewaroncars.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Thanks @pasenatorsaval.com and @ingasaffron.bsky.social for joining us at our LIFE AFTER CARS live show in Philadelphia! And thank you @5thsqadvocacy.org and @bikeaction.org for hosting us. And thanks to everyone who came to the show. Philly was our 30th city since we kicked things off in October!
From left to right, Doug Gordon, Nikil Saval, Sarah Goodyear, and Inga Saffron.
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Doug Gordon @brooklynspoke.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
This was a ton of fun. Definitely the biggest ride we've participated in since book tour began. Philly knows how to show up!
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Wednesday Night Rides @wednightrides.org · 11/05/2026
Our friends @5thsqadvocacy.org & @bikeaction.org are hosting a book event Th May 14th 7pm at Resurrection Philadelphia. Tickets are still available: they’ll discuss the negative affects of car-dependency & how we can make Philadelphia a more people-centered city. bsky.app/profile/thew...
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Wednesday Night Rides @wednightrides.org · 11/05/2026
We expect special guests on this ride: Doug Gordon + Sarah Goodyear, The War on Cars podcast co-hosts & authors of recently released book Life After Cars. bsky.app/profile/thew...
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 07/05/2026
It will be a BLAST! Tickets: www.5thsqadvocacy.org/LAC
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 30/04/2026
🚇 In council today in support for CM Landau’s resolution for hearings on expanding SEPTA student fares. Let’s get these fare cards working nights, weekends and summers! @ruephilacouncil.bsky.social @transit4philly.bsky.social
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 21/04/2026
We joined @transit4philly.bsky.social and @ruephilacouncil.bsky.social at City Hall yesterday in support of making student SEPTA passes work 24/7, year-round. These cards don’t work nights, weekends and summers. That’s a policy choice — and it can be a different one.
billypenn.com
Free, year-round SEPTA passes proposed for all Philly students
Councilmember Rue Landau wants the city to pay for passes that work on weekends and all summer long.
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Councilmember Jamie Gauthier @councilmemberjg.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
It's common sense to allow Philadelphians to build generational wealth and age in place by adding bonus units (ADUs). This is one way we can prevent displacement and create affordable housing in one go. share.inquirer.com/geX7Mb
share.inquirer.com
From bike lanes to zoning codes, the needs of the few sometimes outweigh the common good | Shackamaxon
Plus: Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. says the quiet part out loud as he faces an election challenge.
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 08/04/2026
Grateful for the opportunity to meet the Office of Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, and discuss our support for Transit-Oriented Communities. More homes near transit means more riders for SEPTA, lower transportation costs for residents, and more families able to put down roots in the city.
Seven people holding signs that say “More Homes Near Transit”Sign that says “More Homes Near Transit” with drawings of buildings, a SEPTA bus and the L train.
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 26/03/2026
✨We're proud to share our first-ever strategic plan!✨ The plan centers our three issues: Housing & Land Use, Public Transportation, and Roadway Safety. It also marks a turning point for us. We're hiring our first Executive Director in 2026! Check it out! www.5thsqadvocacy.org/announcing-o...
5thsqadvocacy.org
Announcing our 2026-2027 strategic plan
Join 5th Square Advocacy in enhancing land use & transportation in Philly. Get involved in grassroots efforts for a better community!
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 12/03/2026
💳🚍 HUGE TRANSIT WINS! Mayor Parker announced: • $25M - Zero Fare Program funding restored! • $10M - SEPTA Key Advantage for municipal employees restored! • 10% increase in city funding for SEPTA! @transit4philly.bsky.social
inquirer.com
Who benefits — and who pays — in Mayor Cherelle Parker’s new Philadelphia budget plan
SEPTA is a winner. Hotels, Amazon, and Uber are among the losers.
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5th Square Advocacy @5thsqadvocacy.org · 08/03/2026
Housing would be better
inquirer.com
Pictures of the $20 PATCO snow pile melt date contest
PATCO is taking on bets on when the humongous snow mountain range in their Haddonfield station's parking lot will finally melt.
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