๐ฅ Tonight: Fireside Chat with Angela Brooks / ๐ Pick a Location for the New Intercity Bus Terminal / ๐ณ Save Zero Fare and SEPTA Key Advantage
February 26, 2026
Weekly Newsletter #14 // February 26, 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.
๐ฅ TONIGHT: FIRESIDE CHAT WITH ANGELA BROOKS
TONIGHT at 6pm
, join our Housing Committee for a "fireside chat” event
with city planner Angela D. Brooks who oversees the H.O.M.E Plan as the City of Philadelphia's Chief Housing and Urban Development Officer, and is Immediate Past President of the American Planning Association (APA).
We will be hosting it at Indy Hall and providing hoagies, beer, and seltzers.
Our advocates fought hard for these two programs which together provide reduced-fare or fare-free SEPTA access for over 70,000 Philadelphians--don't let them get cut!
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.
๐จ ACTION ITEMS
๐ณ๏ธ Run for Committee Person
Running for committee person is surprisingly easy and impactful! Our sister-org 5th Square PAC is encouraging you to run and is providing a tool kit
to help you get elected. Sign up here
to receive a toolkit of voter lists, how-to guides, and petition forms.
๐ Intercity Bus Terminal Survey
The Philadelphia City Planning Commission is planning for a future intercity bus station and they're looking for feedback about three possible locations. We recommend selecting 30th and Arch as your preferred location. Take their survey here.
CHOP is currently constructing a 7-story, 1,000 space parking garage in Grays Ferry which would bring considerable additional pollution to the neighborhood. CHOP has applied for a "Complex Source" air pollution permit from the City of Philadelphia's Air Management Services (AMS)--you can ask AMS to hold a public hearing
about the proposal.
EVENTS
Urbanist Fireside Chat with Angela Brooks February 26, 6pm to 8pm | Indy Hall, 709 N 2nd St Join our Housing Committee for a “fireside chat” event with city planner Angela D. Brooks who oversees the H.O.M.E Plan as the City of Philadelphia's Chief Housing and Urban Development Officer, and is Immediate Past President of the American Planning Association (APA).
DVRPC Planning and Funding Transportation Infrastructure Across the Region Mar 4, 06:00 PM | Virtual via Zoom Join DVRPC for a webinar that will inform and engage residents in major regional planning and transportation initiatives. It will provide an overview of long-range planning efforts for Update: Connections 2050, explain the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), how projects are prioritized, and show how residents can provide feedback to help shape planning decisions.
2026 Vision Zero PHL Conference Thursday, March 12th, 9:00am to 4:00pm | Temple Student Center South, 1755 N 13th St This year's Vision Zero conference, with the theme "Putting Community First: Revolutionizing Street Safety", invites participants to explore how the physical, social, and economic city converge and what’s possible when community needs and lived experiences guide decisions
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.
