๐๏ธ A Better Market East / ๐ตโ๏ธ Tomorrow: Spring Garden Connector Open House / ๐ Thursday: Transit Affordability Townhall
November 18, 2025
Weekly Newsletter #2 // November 18, 2025
5th Square Advocacy is an urbanist organization of grassroots advocates building a coalition for better transportation, land use, and public space policies. Our work is made possible through the support of a growing network of sustaining members.
๐๏ธ A BETTER MARKET EAST
Ask for a more walkable, vibrant and dense Market East.
The City is leading an effort to revitalize Market Street, from Broad Street to the Delaware River -- and is soliciting public input.
Prioritize roadway safety & bus users-- install curb bump-outs, raised & protected bike lanes, and prioritize bus lanes.
Remove one eastbound car travel lane to give space to people walking and biking.
Discourage curb cuts and parking decks to encourage transit use and preserve walkability.
Vacant property and open space:
Prioritize housing units, both affordable and market rate, to provide a stable year-round customer base for area stores and businesses.
Retail and shopping:
Promote ground level retail and neighborhood services, with storefronts of varying sizes and doors that open on to the street to enhance safety and walkability.
๐ตโ๏ธ TOMORROW: SPRING GARDEN CONNECTOR OPEN HOUSE
After years of waiting, the City is finally holding an engagement event for Spring Garden St -- spanning river to river. Attend this Streets Department Open House with us and let the city know you value safety for Spring Garden St!
This Thursday, join Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke, Senator Nikil Saval, and Transit Forward Philadelphia for a discussion of city and state campaigns to make public transit in Philadelphia more affordable, reliable, and accessible, and how you can get involved.
Transit Forward Philly is calling on the City to establish a Transit Access Fund to ensure that no one in Philadelphia is blocked from work, school, childcare, worship, or a doctor’s visit because of a fare or unreliable service. Sign their petition in support of a Transit Access Fund here.
๐ HOLIDAY PARTY
Get your tickets for our holiday party!
Join us on December 12th
to celebrate with other Philadelphia built environment activists, neighborhood and community leaders, architects, planners, builders, and sustainability advocates at the urbanist holiday party of the season!
We will be presenting awards to a few members of our community for their outstanding contributions to Philadelphia’s urbanist movement. Please nominate
a friend or colleague who you think deserves an award for their work this year!
As a reminder, 5th Square Advocacy is a new, separate organization from 5th Square PAC which will focus on election-related activities while 5th Square Advocacy will be the new home for our issue advocacy and legislative efforts going forward. Should you have to choose which organization to support with your membership, we highly recommend choosing 5th Square Advocacy.
Transit Forward Philly is fighting for a Transit Access Fund to reduce financial barriers for low-income SEPTA riders. In addition to increasing ridership, the Transit Access Fund would help stabilize SEPTA's finances and protect riders from service cuts. Sign their petition here.
The Spring Garden Connector, Open House Event Wednesday, November 19th, 5 - 8 PM | 440 N. Broad St Attend this Streets Department Open House with us and let the city know you value safety for Spring Garden St!
I-95 Girard Interchange PennDOT Meeting Wednesday, November 19th, 5-7pm | Cescaphe Ballroom, 923 N 2nd St PennDOT is hosting a meeting for those impacted by noise from the I-95 Girard interchange from Frankford Ave to Race St
Reading Terminal Market Young Friends Taste and Tour Wednesday, November 19th, 5-7pm | City Kitchen at Reading Terminal Market Join Reading Terminal Market for an interactive guided tour with insider stories about the market while sampling bites from some of the market’s unique vendors.
November Transit Day of Action: Affordability Transit Town Hall Thursday, November 20th, 5:30pm-7:00pm | Friends Center, 1501 Cherry Street Join Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke, Senator Nikil Saval, and Transit Forward Philadelphia for a discussion of city and state campaigns to make public transit in Philadelphia more affordable, reliable, and accessible, and how you can get involved.
Pro-Housing Philly December Meeting w/ Senator Nikil Saval and Rep Tarik Khan Tuesday, December 2nd, 6:30-8:30pm | Pen and Pencil, 1522 Latimer St Join Pro-Housing Philly for their December meeting, featuring guest speakers Senator Nikil Saval and Rep. Tarik Khan. They will discuss the Harrisburg politics of housing reform and talk with the reps about the housing bills they're working on at the state level.
5th Square Holiday Party + Annual Urbanist Awards Ceremony Friday, December 12th at 7 PM | Indy Hall, 709 N 2nd St Join 5th Square members and friends for our Holiday Party + Urbanist Awards Ceremony where we will be presenting awards to members of our community for their outstanding contributions to Philadelphia’s urbanist movement.
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5th Square Advocacy is a grassroots nonprofit organization driven to advance a vision for a more accessible, sustainable, equitable Philadelphia for all residents.
