We must face the realities of our nation and end our addicion to reactionary rhetoric and violence. Councilwoman Rudiak has posted her thoughts on our nation's most recent tragedies in Dallas, St. Paul and Baton Rouge—you can see her full comments here:
https://www.facebook.com/PghDistrict4/posts/1119880071417681
Making South Pittsburgh a Better Place Everyday
I meet with residents, developers, organizations, and fellow government employees every day to work on ideas and project that will benefit South Pittsburgh and the City. Here are just a few of the things my office and I did in June!!
Our staff attended a neighborhood litter clean-up on Broadway Avenue, hosted by Pretty Up Beechview. All together, the group collected about 5 full bags of litter. For information on future clean-ups and gardening events, check out their facebook page.
[https://www.facebook.com/groups/prettyupbeechview/]
I met with the Pittsburgh Project, a nonprofit community development organization with a 30+ year track record of providing free home repairs for elderly homeowners across the city including South Pittsburgh. You can learn more about their work, how to get involved, and how to get help at
www.pittsburghproject.org
I also met with Riverlife, the organization that brought us the big yellow duck at the Point! Their goal is to create and maintain green spaces and trails along our rivers to ensure that all Pittsburghers have access to enjoy the Mon, the Al, and the O. We talked about City Council support for efforts to beautify our rivers.
My staff met with University of Pittsburgh Public Health professor Dr. Mary Hawk to discuss how we can address the Opioid epidemic in our communities. Our office is dedicated to figuring out what we can do around this issue on the local level – stayed tuned for more information.
Our office hosted Moore Love: A Volunteer Day to Pretty Up Moore Park! About 50 Brookline residents lended a hand to scrape, prime, and repaint the railings and gazebo at Moore Park. More on Moore later!
I joined the Mayor's staff to interview candidates for the new Early Childhood Manager. I passed legislation to create this position last December. The Early Childhood Manager will be tasked with bringing together the School District, private early childhood education providers, and advocacy organizations to improve access to high quality Pre-K and child care.
I met with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy to discuss next steps for major improvements to McKinley Park. The Parks Conservancy won a National Recreation and Park's Association Great Urban Parks grant. The funding will be used for green infrastructure to capture stormwater, accessible trails, ecological restoration, and basic park amenities. The City will be matching these grant funds, both with capital budget dollars and in-house work on the park.
I attended both City-wide Capital Budget Deliberative Forums—the Forums are opportunities for residents to learn more about the City's budgeting process AND share their concrete ideas about needed improvements in their neighborhoods.
I met with the new City Design Editor of Next Pittsburgh
http://www.nextpittsburgh.com/ to share the good news about upcoming developments in South Pittsburgh.
My staff met with an organization called Communities in Schools. They work in schools across the country, connecting students with community support and resources they need to stay in school and succeed. Read more about their story here:
https://www.communitiesinschools.org
I joined Council President Bruce Kraus and my fellow Carnegie Library Trustees for the grand re-opening of the newly renovated Knoxville Library.
I hosted an informational Council "Post-Agenda" briefing on the state of Early Childhood Education in Pittsburgh. Mayor Peduto spoke about his plans for Early Childhood Education, followed by Erin Molchany representing Governor Wolf, the Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC), Allies for Children, One Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, the Pittsburgh Public Schools, and the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers.
I also met with the Urban Redevelopment Authority and Economic Development South to plan for the the future of Berg Place in Carrick; stayed tune for more developments.
More Love for Moore Pool and Park
Moore Pool and Moore Park have been hot topics of conversation in Brookline this Spring and Summer. In late April, residents came to our office with concerns about needed maintenance and reinvestments at the park. Ashleigh and Megan in my office organized a walk-through of Moore with the parks superintendent and several concerned residents to create a comprehensive list of projects and needed fixes. Then, shortly before Memorial Day, Moore Pool failed an electrical inspection and was not able to open on time.
We know that great parks and public spaces are essential to maintaining a family friendly City, and our office is committed to making our parks shine.
On Saturday, June 18th, we hosted "Moore Love: A Volunteer Day to Pretty Up Moore Park." About fifty residents came out to scrape, prime, and paint the railings and gazebo at Moore. Several crews of laborers from the Department of Public Works also joined us to patch concrete on the stairs, patch cracks in the basketball courts, trim branches, and rake the ballfields. It was a lovely day, and we got so much done together!
We also pushed Citiparks and the Department of Public Works to complete the Moore pool repairs in half the original time estimate. The pool opened last Saturday, July 2. See what residents had to say about it in this fantastic KDKA piece!
But that’s not the end of it! Pools should be routinely inspected so that issues are discovered and repaired in the off-season. Sadly, this is not standard practice. I passed legislation this week to ensure that regular pool and spray park maintenance is planned in the fall, immediately after they close for the season. Electrical and pump inspections will be completed in March of each year, allowing time for repair before pool season. Previously, electrical inspections were only required every 3 years. My hope is that this legislation prevents closures like we experienced this year at Moore and last year at Ammon.
We also need larger reinvestments at Moore that can only be planned through the Capital Budget process. I have requested that the Mayor’s administration include over $200,000 in the 2017 budget to resurface the basketball courts, replace the concrete entry stairs at the Moore Rec Center, and replace the fence around the upper ballfield. Stay tuned for more updates as the budget moves forward!
Port Authority Track Renewal in Beechview
The Broadway Avenue Track Renewal project is coming along nicely, and is on schedule, according to the Port Authority. As you can see out on the street, the contractors are almost finished pouring concrete for Phase One. The barriers will be moved to Phase Two the week of July 11. When those barriers are moved, about two thirds of the work will be complete.
"No parking" signs will go up in the Phase Two area in the next few days to alert residents to the change. Residents will also receive a letter from the contractor providing information about parking for Phase Two. Parking will remain available in that area until the parking is restored in the Phase One area.
Following the removal of the barriers in Phase One, the street will be re-striped and parking will be restored to its original layout.
More Funds for Broadway Avenue Improvements
Last Friday, we heard the wonderful news that State Senator Wayne Fontana was able to bring home a grant that our office applied for last year to improve Broadway Avenue in Beechview! The condition of Broadway is a topic of much discussion at community meetings and in conversations with residents. The $600,000 Multimodal Transportation Fund grant will go toward improvements to make Broadway more attractive and more accessible for pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists. The City and the Urban Redevelopment Authority will contribute additional funds, for a total project cost to exceed $1 Million.
This is just the first step toward a brand new Broadway. Next, the City and URA will work with Senator Fontana, architects, and engineers, to redesign Broadway on paper, from Fallowfield to Wenzell Avenue.
The City will be sure to seek feedback from the neighborhood before any design is finalized. The design is likely to include improved T stops, better crosswalks, pedestrian signage, and more. We expect these features will slow speeding traffic, improve accessibility to the T, and generally beautify our main street.
Carrick's Dairy District is Open for Business
On Thursday, 6/30, Carrick celebrated the highly anticipated opening of the Dairy District Market! The newly constructed open-air pavilion is Step 1 in a plan to create a dairy-themed district around the Colteryahn Dairy on Brownsville Road. Colteryahn is the last dairy still operating in the City, and has been located on Brownsville Road for generations.
The pavilion is owned and operated by Economic Development South, a non-profit community development organization working to attract new investments and businesses to the City's Southern neighborhoods and neighboring municipalities.
The Citiparks Farmer's Market will be at the pavilion every Wednesday, 3-7 PM throughout the summer. Economic Development South is planning other events for the pavilion, like building a giant ice cream sundae, craft markets, and more.
Economic Development South Provides Free Small Business Consulting
Do you have a small business, or are you thinking of starting one? Economic Development South, best known for their management of the Dairy District and other neighborhood projects, has announced on-demand consulting through the University of Pittsburgh's Small Business Development Center and the Institute of Entrepreneurial Excellence! These FREE consulting sessions can help you think through questions, develop plans, or decide whether it's the right time to grow your business.
Sessions will be held on Friday, July 22nd at Economic Development South's offices at 4127 Brownsville Road, Suite 209, Pittsburgh, PA 15227.
Experienced consultants will be on hand to talk through all of your questions that day. Hourly timeslots are available starting at 9:00 AM on 7/22. Email
eng...@economicdevelopmentsouth.org to reserve your hour with an expert!
Brookline Community Yard Sale
Brookline's South Pittsburgh Development Corporation and the Brookline Chamber of Commerce are planning the second annual Brookline Community Yard Sale on July 23rd! You can pick up a map of registered sales that morning at Café de Noir and Moore Park.
Port Authority's New Fare Policy and Service Changes
South Pittsburgh has a wealth of transit options, and we know many residents rely on the Port Authority to get to work, the grocery store, doctors, and more. The Port Authority notified us of upcoming service changes, and we thought you should know.
The Port Authority surveyed thousands of riders, who told them they wanted to get from point A to point B faster, and cheaper. The following changes are intended to address that need:
- Switching to a single zone system. Riders will no longer have to worry about paying extra if they’re going from Zone 1 to Zone 2. Beginning January 1, 2017:
- Base Fare will be $2.50 with the ConnectCard; Transfers will be $1 on ConnectCard
- There will be a 25 cent cash surcharge, to encourage people to use the ConnectCard. About 70% of users already use the ConnectCard!
- There will be no paper transfers for cash users
The Port Authority is also working on a Kids ConnectCard that will allow kids to travel for half fare. We’ll be sure to update you as this transition moves forward!
CDBG Public Hearings
The City of Pittsburgh will hold two public hearings to seek input from interested residents and community organizations on the 2017 Community Development Block Grant Program.
The hearings are being held prior to the release of the 2017 Capital Budget to enable the City to adequately review citizen testimony. In addition, those attending the hearings are invited to comment on the prior use of the City's CDBG funds and other federal funds.
Both hearings will being at 6:00pm, and will be held at the following locations:
1) Wednesday, July 13, Hazelwood Senior Community Center, 5344 Second Ave., 15207
2) Thursday, July 14, Mt. Washington Senior Community Center, 122 Virginia Ave., 15211
Please note that the Office of Community Affairs chose locations to ensure they are at publicly and handicap accessible facilities. Upon request, arrangements can be made for non-English speaking, visually impaired, or hearing impaired residents.
Tell City Planning What you Think About Bikes!
The City's Department of City Planning is creating a city-wide plan for proposed bike infrastructure projects, funding priorities, street design, and Healthy Ride bike share stations (Healthy Ride). They are holding a number of public meetings to hear from you, the public, about your cycling priorities! If you're a cyclist, or you have ideas about bikes, be sure to attend.
July 18, 2016 6-8 PM
Manchester Citizen's Corporation
1319 Allegheny Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15233
July 19th, 2016 6-8 PM
Jewish Community Center
5738 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
July 25, 2016 6-8 PM
Pittsburgh Bike Share
3328 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Hillcrest Senior Residences: Meet the Artist!
Many of you pass by the new Hillcrest Senior Residences project on Brownsville Road every day, and you can see that construction is moving quickly! As part of the project, the Community Builders (the developer) have chosen an artist to do a work of art specifically for this building. The artist is Natalie Settles, and she would like to meet Carrick neighbors and community members as she begins to develop concepts for the artwork.
Meet Natalie and share your neighborhood stories on Monday, July 18th at 7 PM at St. Basil's Parish. She will share information about her past work, and hopes to understand more about our community. Hope you can make it out!
National Night Out
National Night Out is an annual celebration on the first Tuesday in August held by neighborhoods across the country that strives to promote community and strengthen relationships between you and your city’s public safety departments.
Mentor A Brashear Student!
The Mentor 2.0 program pairs college-educated volunteers in one-to-one mentoring relationships with ninth grade students at Pittsburgh Brashear High School. The program employs technology and a unique curriculum to ensure volunteers are effective in supporting students through high school and beyond.
The time commitment is easy—just 2 hours one evening per month for the in-person event, and fulfill the remaining responsibilities remotely. The in-person interactions are guided by a custom curriculum. Mentors receive coaching via e-mail and activities are designed to help mentors connect with students.
To volunteer, you must be 21 years of age, college educated, and live or work in the Pittsburgh area. Applicants should plan to commit two school years to the program, though ideally, relationships will last through high school.
Community Calendar
Beechview Area Concerned Citizens and Beechview Block Watch
Thursday, 7/7 @ 7 PM @ Beechview United Presbyterian Church (1621 Broadway Avenue)
Carrick-Overbrook Block Watch
Monday, 7/11, 7 PM @ St. Basil's Church-Lower Level (1735 Brownsville Rd)
Pretty Up Beechview Litter Cleanup
Saturday, 7/16, 9 AM @ the Parking Lot at Broadway and Beechview Avenues
Gloves, bags, and water will be provided
Brookline Block Watch
Tuesday, 7/12 , 7 PM @ Judge Motznik’s Office (736 Brookline Blvd)
South Pittsburgh Development Corporation
Monday, 7/18, 7 PM @ Brookline Presbyterian Church (1036 Brookline Blvd)
Beltzhoover Community Forum
Thursday, 7/21, 5:30 PM @ Beulah Baptist Church (201 Chalfont Street)
Pretty Up Beechview Garden Cleanup
Saturday, 7/23, 9 AM @ the billboard garden at 1730 Broadway Avenue
Overbrook Community Council
*none in July or August*
Carrick-Overbrook Block Watch
Monday, 8/1, 7 PM @ St. Basil's Church-Lower Level (1735 Brownsville Rd)
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