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 May!!
I joined Urban Redevelopment Authority staff in evaluating a developer’s proposal to develop 1600-1602 Broadway Avenue. The proposal was later approved by the URA board, and the developer, Atlas Development Co. was granted “exclusive negotiations.”
I met with Senator Fontana’s staff, the Department of Public Works, the Urban Redevelopment Authority, and the Port Authority to discuss how we can proceed on a design process for streetscape improvements to Broadway Avenue in Beechview. We will be sure to update you when this process gets up and running.
I met with Councilwoman Kail-Smith, Council President Kraus, the Mt. Washington CDC, and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy about a new plan for care and stewardship of Emerald View Park in Mt. Washington.
I welcomed a delegation of Cuban officials to City Council, giving them a tour of our Council Chambers, and discussing opportunities for collaboration on sporting events.
My office attended the Beechview Area Concerned Citizens meeting, where Police presented only four minor crimes in Beechview for the month!
My office met with the Carrick Youth Athletic Association to help them draw down City grant dollars for improvements at Volunteers Field in Carrick.
Mayor Peduto and I attended the Beechview Cinco de Mayo festival! Thanks to the organizers, artists, and vendors who made the event such a wonderful showcase of culture. And thanks to Las Palmas for the delicious tacos.
My staff attended the Carrick Community Council meeting, where neighbors discussed working more with the Carrick Business Association, zoning issues, and the exciting new Carrick Dairy District open air market at Brownsville Road and East Meyers.
I met with the Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children to hear the results of the Child Care Needs Assessment commissioned by the Council Women’s Caucus. I will be hosting a televised briefing for the public on June 28th-- more on that below!
I joined Mayor Peduto and the Community Builders in celebrating the groundbreaking of the Hillcrest Senior Residences project in Carrick. The all-new construction will produce high quality 1- and 2-bedroom apartments, exclusively for seniors. You can find more information here: [link]
I honored those soldiers who gave their lives serving our country at a Memorial Day service in Beechview.
My staff also attended the Brookline Block Watch, the South Pittsburgh Development Corporation meeting Brookline, a rainy day garden planting at the Accamando Center in Overbrook. I met with stakeholders from Carrick, Beechview, Brookline, and the Hilltop, and so much more.
Moore Love: A Volunteer Day to Pretty Up Moore Park
In previous issues of the newsletter, we’ve updated you about our efforts to spruce up Moore Park. A number of larger-scale projects are needed, including the resurfacing of the basketball court, new stairs to the center, and improvements to the ballfields. We are getting cost estimates for those projects, and lobbying hard to get the funding in the budget. In the meantime, we hope you’ll join us for a day of volunteer painting! The railings, fence, and gazebo at Moore are in need of a shiny new coat of paint. The City is providing paint and supplies, our office is supplying snacks, and we hope you’ll join us with some elbow grease!
Saturday, June 18th
9 AM to 1 PM
Moore Park (Pioneer Avenue)
The Capital Budget: What are your priorities?
Each year, the City creates a Capital Budget that is used exclusively for the physical maintenance and improvements to our roads, parks, and facilities. The capital budget pays for everything from paving to new pool filters. Several years ago, I passed legislation to improve the budgeting process and create opportunities for citizen participation.
This year, two public meetings will be held as part of this process! Hearings will follow a Deliberative Democracy format that gives residents a chance to learn more about what goes into the Capital Budget, discuss needs and priorities in a small-group setting, and ask questions of an expert panel. Residents will be able to let the City know what specific Capital work they’d like to see done in their neighborhoods in 2017.
To participate, register here!
Tuesday, June 21
6:00-8:30 PM
Letter Carrier's Union Hall
841 California Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Thursday, June 23
6:00-8:30 PM
Kingsley Association
6435 Frankstown Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
We ask all participants to commit to the entire 2.5 hours of the forum. Food and refreshments will be provided. While it is not mandatory, we would appreciate your pre-registration.
Building a Deck? Things to Check!
Adapted from the PLI newsletter
The weather is getting warmer and there is nothing better than sitting on your own deck, enjoying the sun! If you have plans to build a new deck this summer, make sure you follow the building codes and requirements to keep your family and neighbors safe.
Not all decks require a building permit, but all decks do require an occupancy permit. The Bureau of Permits, Licenses & Inspections website offers resources on how to design a deck that is safe and well-constructed to code.
http://pittsburghpa.gov/pli/permits/residential/decks
3-1-1 Knowledge Base
People call our office with a wide variety of issues. In one day, we may get calls about potholes, zoning issues, taxes, public safety, and swimming pool passes. You can always call our office, and we’re happy to get the information you need.
But, if you’re not a phone person, the City is adding new resources to our website every day. The 3-1-1 Knowledge Place is a clearing house of information on...well, pretty much everything. Search the Knowledge Base for your issue (i.e. overgrowth, or police) or browse by category! It’s a resource we use here in the office, and it’s available to you at home. Check it out today!
Broadway Avenue Port Authority Project
The Port Authority is now in their third month of construction and we’re happy to report that it is progressing nicely and remains on schedule.
You will receive more frequent updates through June and July as some sections of Phase I will be ending and the start of Phase II gets closer. We want to make sure everyone has plenty of notice before any of these changes occur.
We’ve received some questions about work hours so we’d like to clarify this for everyone. The contractor has a City permit that allows them to work between 7 am and 11 pm. That does not mean they are required to work during all of those hours. However, they are not permitted to work beyond those hours, such as overnight hours.
The good news is that the project is on schedule and the weather has cooperated, so there’s no need for the contractor to work at all hours. That could change and later they may need to add shifts to stay on schedule and meet the 180-day completion deadline in September.
We’ll continue to provide updates and welcome your feedback. Thank you for your continued patience.
take a look at their project website here:
FREE Summer Food & Fun for Kids
Summer can be a hard time for families who struggle to put food on the table. Kids who normally get lunch at school may not be getting the important nutrition they need to grow and develop.
The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank helps fill the gap by providing a free summer food program for anyone aged 18 and under. No paperwork or proof of income is required, and they have sites across the County at parks and other public spaces. About 70,000 kids in Allegheny County qualify for free or reduced school meals, but only 10,000 kids participate in the Summer Food Program on any given day. If you or someone you know is struggling to put food on the table for the kids this summer, pass the word along. You can call 2-1-1 or text FOOD to 8770877 to find a site in your neighborhood.
Emerald View Park Committee Representative Needed
The Emerald View Park (EVP) Committee is a volunteer committee established by the Mount Washington Community Development Corporation to serve as a first point of contact for community input on EVP-related issues; provide feedback on projects in EVP and/or those that affect the Park; build a strong EVP constituency; and host events and volunteer days as desired by the Committee.
All committee meetings are open to the public. Committee members are asked to commit to attend 75% of the meetings in a calendar year to maintain committee voting privileges.
The Committee meets on the second Wednesday of every other month from 5:30-7:00 PM in the MWCDC office at 301 Shiloh Street.
We’re looking for a resident of District 4 to represent South Pittsburgh’s priorities on this committee! If you’re interested, please contact us at
412-255-2131 or e-mail Ashleigh Deemer:
ashleig...@pittsburghpa.gov
FREE Dental Clinic June 3-4 at Convention Center
Been awhile since you’ve been to the dentist? Regular maintenance can be hard if you don’t have insurance. Now’s your chance to catch up! There will be a free dental clinic Friday and Saturday, June 3 and 4, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown. Dentists, dental students, and volunteers will donate their services to provide fillings, cleanings, extraction, root-canal treatments and oral health education.
Registration opens at 5:30 AM on both days. The clinic is able to treat the first 1,000 patients.
Featured Job Opportunities
The City is hiring Crossing Guards!
The City is also recruiting College Interns for Fall 2016!
Community Calendar
Carrick-Overbrook Block Watch
Monday, 6/6, 7 PM @ Concord Elementary (2350 Brownsville Rd)
Pretty Up Beechview Litter Cleanup
Sunday, 6/12, 9 AM @ the Parking Lot at Broadway and Beechview Avenues
Gloves, bags, and water will be provided
Brookline Block Watch
Tuesday, 6/14 , 7 PM @ Judge Motznik’s Office (736 Brookline Blvd)
Beltzhoover Community Forum
Thursday, 6/16, 5:30 PM @ Beulah Baptist Church (201 Chalfont Street)
South Pittsburgh Development Corporation
Monday, 6/20, 7 PM @ Brookline Presbyterian Church (1036 Brookline Blvd)
City of Pittsburgh Capital Budget Deliberative Forum #1
Tuesday, 6/21, 6 PM @ Letter Carrier’s Union Hall (841 California Avenue, 15212)
City of Pittsburgh Capital Budget Deliberative Forum #2
Thursday, 6/23, 6 PM @ Kingsley Association (6435 Frankstown Ave 15206)
Overbrook Community Council
Tuesday, 6/28, 7:00 PM @ Fairhaven United Methodist Church (2415 Saw Mill Run Blvd)
Carrick Community Council Litter Cleanup
Wednesday, 6/29, 6 PM @ Carrick Shopping Center (2134 Brownsville Rd)
Supplies will be provided
| 