๐ซ๐๏ธ NO Hahnemann Home Ban / ๐ค Meetup Next Week / ๐ฆบ Become a Vision Zero Ambassador
January 6, 2026
Weekly Newsletter #7 // January 06, 2026
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.
The site at Broad and Race Streets lies on top of an express subway stop, and benefits from proximity to Center City jobs, shops, and cultural amenities. Since the shuttering of Hahnemann in 2019, the site currently provides little value to Philadelphians or tax dollars to the City, despite its central location.
We support mixed-use development for this site to protect neighbors from rising housing costs, grow transit ridership, and support local workers and businesses.
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is currently constructing a 7-story parking garage in Grays Ferry with over 1,000 parking spaces.
CHOP has applied for a "Complex Source" air pollution permit from the City of Philadelphia's Air Management Services (AMS). However, CHOP has not yet received the permit and AMS has not opened an official public comment period.
You can ask AMS to hold a public hearing
about this proposal that would bring additional air pollution to South Philadelphia’s Grays Ferry neighborhood.
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.
๐ฆบ BECOME A VISION ZERO AMBASSADOR
The City of Philadelphia's Vision Zero program is looking for ambassadors
for its 2026 cohort.
VZ ambassadors help spread the word about Vision Zero and traffic safety amongst friends, neighbors, and groups they are part of and act as the voice of their community around traffic safety issues.
Applications
are open until Sunday, February 1, and those who complete the program will receive a $1750 stipend.
๐จ ACTION ITEMS
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, walkable neighborhoods, expansion of transit options, protected bike lanes, and more.
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
and share your story in support of it here.
EVENTS
Wednesday Night Rides Tour de Wawa No 5 Wednesday, January 7th, 7pm meet, 7:10pm roll | Independence Mall Wawa (6th and Chestnut) Join WNR for their first ride of the year, with a route passing by six Wawas.
Urbanist PowerPoint Party! Thursday, January 15th, 6-8pm | Resurrection Church, 123 S 17th St, 2nd Fl Join us for an evening of community-building + urbanist storytelling! Hear from 5th Square Advocacy members and subject matter experts about a range of topics relevant to our built environment. Pizza, beer, and sodas will be provided.
January Day of Action: Transit Leadership Training January 22, 5:30pm - 7:30pm | Transit Forward Philly/BCGP Office, 1500 Walnut St, Ste 1107 Join Transit Forward Philadelphia for a transit leadership training. You'll learn how you can rally your community to make transit more affordable, safer, accessible, and fully funded.
Tiny WPA 10th Anniversary Celebration Feb 12 from 6pm to 9pm | 3145 West Jefferson Street Join Tiny WPA for a benefit celebrating their 10th anniversary featuring music, an open bar, delicious bites, and a live auction. Come support their work make Philadelphia's public spaces better.
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.
