๐ Emergency SEPTA Funding / ๐ฃ Support Sidewalk Cafes and Safe Streets / ๐๏ธ Philly2050 Survey
November 25, 2025
Weekly Newsletter #3 // November 25, 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.
We applaud this move as a step in the right direction. This represents a real down payment toward keeping the Philadelphia region moving and ensuring that the state’s economic engine continues to strengthen and support the rest of the Commonwealth.
But this cannot be where the work to support public transit in the region ends. SEPTA's operating shortfall remains an urgent concern and without closing that gap through stable, long-term funding, riders will remain at risk of service cuts, reduced frequency, service disruptions, and fare hikes.
We urge Governor Shapiro to follow through on this emergency measure with a long-term commitment that fully secures the future of public transit not just for Philadelphia, but across all of Pennsylvania.
๐ฃ SUPPORT SIDEWALK CAFES AND SAFE STREETS
Come to City Council to comment in SUPPORT of sidewalk cafes and bills for safer streets.
๐ฝ๏ธ #251022 - expanding by-right sidewalk cafes in Northwest, South, and West Philly!
๐ฒ #251024 - adding the 5th Council district (Logan Square, portions of Rittenhouse Square) to the Center City loading zones bill in response to the Pine-Spruce litigation
๐ธ #250982 - changing the directions of LeCount and Bambrey streets near South St, in response to multiple crashes involving turning vehicles and people biking.
RSVP here
and we will loop you in with our volunteers attending with talking points and register you for comment with council staff.
๐๏ธ PHILLY2050 SURVEY
The Philadelphia City Planning Commission is looking to hear from you
about what you want for the future of the city.
We encourage you to respond in support of key urbanist issues like:
Transit-Oriented Housing
Dense, Walkable Neighborhoods
Expansion of Transit Options, including Trolley Modernization, Reimagining Regional Rail and a Subway for Roosevelt Blvd
Nominations are due by Sunday, December 1st at 5pm.
We will be presenting awards to the winners at our holiday party on December 12th. Join us 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!
Join us next week on Wednesday, December 3rd for a book club discussion
of Anna Zivarts’ book When Driving Is Not An Option. Discussion will be co-led by Anna Zivarts (author of the book!), Russell Richie (5th Square Advocacy), and Dave Talone (Philly Bike Action). Cheese pizza will be served for dinner.
Anna Zivarts is a disability justice advocate, a low-vision parent, and the founder of the Week Without Driving. She draws attention to the fact that 1/3rd of Americans do not have a driver’s license and says that our transportation systems must be inclusive of EVERYONE–not just people who drive cars.
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.
“It’s a travesty that one deep-pocketed opponent has been able to block access to housing for over 100 families in my neighborhood for years,” said Will Tung
, a neighbor of the project and a volunteer with the urbanist advocacy group 5th Square
. “It’s more expensive than ever to rent or buy here, and this project would be a welcome change to its current use as a derelict warehouse.”
๐จ ACTION ITEMS
๐ Support the Transit Access Fund
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.
Book Club: When Driving Is Not an Option Wednesday December 3rd • 5:30 pm | Bicycle Coalition 8th Floor Amenity Room, 1500 Walnut St Join us, the Bicycle Coalition, and Philly Bike Action for a book club discussion of Anna Zivarts’ book When Driving Is Not An Option. Discussion will be co-led by Anna Zivarts (author of the book!), Russell Richie (5th Square Advocacy), and Dave Talone (Philly Bike Action) with pizza served for dinner.
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.
Do you like this newsletter and our advocacy work?
We need your support to sustain Philly's Urbanist Movement (and get cool perks) Join us as a member TODAY!
5th Square Advocacy is a grassroots nonprofit organization driven to advance a vision for a more accessible, sustainable, equitable Philadelphia for all residents.
