Weekly Newsletter #32 — July 2, 2026

July 2, 2026
Weekly Newsletter #32 · July 02, 2026

5th Square Advocacy is an urbanist organization of grassroots advocates building a coalition for better transportation, housing, and public space in Philadelphia. Thanks to our growing network of sustaining members for making this work possible.

🏘️ INSIDE OUR CAMPAIGN FOR MORE HOMES NEAR TRANSIT

Check out Tuesday’s episode of the City Cast Philly podcast featuring our board member Fae Ehsan in a deep dive into our More Homes Near Transit campaign!

More%20Homes%20Near%20Transit%20-%20Sign.png
Help us support our campaign by:
  1. Signing our petition
  2. Signing up to volunteer with our Housing Committee
  3. Becoming a member to support our advocacy campaigns

👂 TELL US ABOUT YOUR RCO

Are you involved in your local RCO?

If you are, we want to know! Fill out this quick form with which RCO you're a part of and what your role is.

Don't know what an RCO is? Read this for an explainer and find your RCO here. RCOs play important roles in approving housing and safe streets projects--they're a great way to get directly involved in making your neighborhood a better place to live.

🎉 EXPANDED MARKET ST REDESIGN

Ever since it officially opened last month, we've been huge fans of the newly redesigned Market Street between 2nd and 6th Streets. The freshly installed traffic calming and protected bike lanes make the street much safer and more pleasant to use.

And now, this redesign is headed   all the way to City Hall!

The City recently received a $2.5 million federal grant to begin planning work for the portion of Market between 6th and City Hall, and we can't wait to see their new designs.

👋 BECOME A MEMBER

Thank you to everyone who has already joined as a member! Our members fuel our grassroots work for a more accessible, sustainable, and equitable Philadelphia.

BECOME A MEMBER

🚨 ACTION ITEMS

🏘️🚇  SUPPORT HOMES NEAR TRANSIT

Sign to show your support for more homes near transit! City Council passed a bill to increase housing near certain transit stations--we need your support to expand coverage to additional stations citywide.

 

🏫 UNIVERSAL STUDENT FARES PETITION

Sign this petition to support expanding student transit cards to cover more students and provide transit access on evenings, weekends, and summers.

 

🚲 LEGALIZE PARKING-PROTECTED BIKE LANES

Parking-protected bike lanes are a great way to make our bikes lanes safer and lower stress, but they are illegal on state roads! Sign the Bicycle Coalition's petition to legalize parking-protected bike lanes!

📅 EVENTS

Jul 11

Ben Franklin Bridge Transit Tour

10:00 AM · 1400 Reed St or 5th and Race Sts

Join Transit Forward Philly for a "transit tour" from a South Philly bakery to a car-free Ben Franklin Bridge.
Jul 18

TransportationCamp PHL Summer Gathering

11:30 AM Kickoff · Meet at 30th St Station

Join transportation professionals, students, and advocates for a free "unconference" gathering, featuring fun social activities.
Aug 08

Philly Mayor's Cup

Belmont Plateau

The Philly Running Alliance is hosting a team race where runners compete for their chosen local running club, featuring races of varying length through historic West Fairmount Park.

 

📖 WHAT WE'RE READING

🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE

WHYY / Bartram Village in Southwest Philly will be replaced with 500+ affordable rentals

Shelterforce  / Affordable Housing Financing Is Overpriced, But It Doesn’t Have to Be

Inquirer.com / The ‘demand is real’ for backyard cottages, in-law suites, and other ADUs, says a Philly-area builder

Inquirer.com / Historic church at 42nd and Pine to become apartments after Penn declined to buy the building

Inquirer.com / 86 new apartments planned steps from Jenkintown SEPTA station

The New York Times / Older Adults Turn to ‘Golden Girls’ Housing

🌳 PUBLIC SPACE

Inquirer.com / City officials plan to revamp Market Street from Sixth Street to City Hall

The Philadelphia Citizen / Building Bridges

Inquirer.com / Philly area set to receive record-breaking $322M in state and federal money for trails

🚌 TRANSIT

Inquirer.com / Could a Pa. Supreme Court decision on skill games help fund SEPTA?

Spotlight Delaware / SEPTA to restore Wilmington late-night train service from Philadelphia

Inquirer.com / Massive Regional Rail delays Wednesday morning following early morning derailment

🚲 MOBILITY

bikeaction.org / (Video) Biking with Toddlers 101

Ardmore-Merion-Wynnewood, PA Patch  / PA Bicyclists Could Face Significant Traffic Rule Changes

6abc Philadelphia / Driver sought after construction worker critically hurt in SW Philly hit-and-run

6abc Philadelphia / Temple student killed in hit-and-run on Kelly Drive; parents plead for help

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