๐ We're Hiring! / ๐ Life After Cars Book Talk / ๐ณ Tomorrow: Rally to Save Zero Fare
March 5, 2026
Weekly Newsletter #15 // March 05, 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 Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief executive and strategic leader of 5th Square Advocacy. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED is responsible for advancing the organization’s mission through strong leadership, financial stewardship, partnership development, and operational excellence. This is a hands-on, high-impact position in a lean, traditionally all-volunteer, organization.
Spend an evening with Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon, hosts of the War on Cars podcasts and authors of Life After Cars. The event will be kicked off by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier and emceed by the Inquirer's Inga Saffron.
The authors will discuss the negative impacts of car-dependency and how we can create safer, more liveable streets in Philadelphia.
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!
We had a great discussion with Angela Brooks focusing on Mayor Parker’s HOME initiative and how pro-housing advocates can get involved in Philly's housing movement.
๐ BECOME A MEMBER
Thank you so much to those of you who have already joined 5th Square Advocacy as a member!
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.
Not all of Vision Zero’s barriers emerge from Harrisburg. Many are a symptom of dysfunction right here in Philadelphia, says Will Tung
, an organizer with the urbanist group 5th Square Advocacy
.
“We’re kind of beholden to the roadway paving schedule here,” he says. “OTIS very much ties Vision Zero improvements with the paving schedule, mostly for budgetary reasons. They don’t want to implement a roadway change and then have it get ripped out for repaving a year or two later.”
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
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.
Wednesday Night Rides: Native Plants Seed Bombs Wednesday, March 4th, 7pm meet, 7:10pm roll | Penn Treaty Park Join a group ride to sow native plant seeds across our city to restore native species and create habitat for local creatures. They'll be scattering seed bombs on a ride through the Riverwards and North Philly, and then end at The Monkey Club, which is featuring native plants pint glasses designed by local artists.
Save Zero Fare and Key Advantage Rally and Press Conference March 06, 2026 at 10:00am - 12pm | City Hall - North Side Join advocates from across Philadelphia to call on Mayor Parker and Councilmembers to fund Zero Fare and Key Advantage in the city budget.
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
Remembering Teddy Einstein -- Memorial Ride & Ghost Bike Dedication Saturday March 28th 2026 • 9:45 am | Clark Park, 43rd and Chester Join a memorial ride and ghost bike dedication for Teddy Einstein, a beloved husband and father of two young children who was killed by a driver on the afternoon of December 3rd, while cycling along the Bicyclist Baltimore Pike.
DSA Job Fair Sunday, March 29th | Location TBA Philly DSA will be hosting a socialist job fair which will provide brief educational programming and inform attendees about the pipeline into active workplace organizing campaigns
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.
