"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome."
--Anne Bradstreet
-We kicked off 2016 by celebrating the inauguration of several members of City Council who were re-elected in 2015. Congratulations to Darlene Harris, Bruce Kraus, Corey O’Connor, Dan Gilman and Ricky Burgess. Double congratulations to my colleague, Bruce Kraus, on his re-election as Council President. I will continue to serve as the Chair of the Finance and Law Committee in this 2-year session of Council.
-Our Coro Fellow, Alyson Shaw, presented the findings of her inventory of youth programs in South Pittsburgh and the Hilltop neighborhoods. To learn more about what we have, and what we need,
click here!
-I attended the renovation presentation for the Carrick Branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. They presented plans to renovate the existing space and add a second floor. Residents voiced their opinions and concerns, as well as their “wish list” for the new library. Requests included more seating for reading, increased space for teens, space for the community’s historical documents, and more. The library is doing more research to see how to accommodate residents concerns … Stay tuned for updates!
-The Pittsburgh Public Schools’ superintendent search is in full swing. I attended a meeting at Carrick High School to advocate for community schools and their ability to help students who otherwise fall through the cracks. We need to meet kids where they are, and only then can we give them the best chance to succeed!
-I met with the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers about how we can work together to improve and expand opportunities for early childhood education in Pittsburgh! I look forward to continuing my focus on essential early childhood programs in 2016 and beyond.
-I met with all of the public safety bureaus-- including the Police, EMS, and Fire-- and discussed the creation of a new public safety training facility, and what kind of resources City Council needs to allocate to make this facility a reality. An expanded and more comprehensive space would give us the capacity we need to train larger classes of police officers, firefighters, and first responders, so that we can keep up with retirements and stay fully staffed.
-The Mt. Washington Community Development Corporation stopped by to give updates on their progress on their re-organization, including changing the way Emerald View Park is managed. To receive MWCDC e-news, click here:
http://mwcdc.org/-I welcomed and met with the new Public Safety Director, Wendell Hissrich, a 25-year FBI veteran who began his career as a crew chief for the Pittsburgh Paramedics. We’re planning to do a tour with him of District 4 soon, and look forward to working with him to increase public safety in our South Pittsburgh neighborhoods and across the City. For reference, Director Hissrich will appear for his City Council confirmation hearing on Feb. 4 from 10-noon and 1-3 p.m.
The Red Line trolley is one of the most iconic features in Beechview, and perhaps its strongest asset, as people increasingly search for homes and businesses with good access to public transportation. The Port Authority is doubling down on their investment in Beechview, and will be doing much-needed trolley track and concrete replacement on Broadway Avenue in 2016. Join us in attending the Port Authority’s community meeting where they will present their plans for construction and answer your questions about the project on Thursday, 2/18 at 7:00 PM at St. Catherine of Siena Church. While this project has its upsides-- like fewer potholes and safer rails-- we also know that such a large construction project has the potential to cause some headaches. The Port Authority will have their contractor at the meeting to listen to specific concerns, so they can plan in advance to minimize disruption as much as possible.
In the meantime, if you have any specific concerns about how this will impact you, please feel free to contact us, and we will connect you with the Port Authority. Contact Us:
http://pittsburghpa.gov/district4/contact
The Port Authority has also set up a webpage where they will post construction updates throughout the project. Bookmark it, and check often!
On January 14th, the Urban Redevelopment Authority board approved plans for Atlas Development Co. to renovate and redevelop 1601 Broadway Avenue. Vacant for some time now, 1601 Broadway is most famous for its classic victorian turret, and represents some of the oldest, most historic architecture in Beechview. Rather than tear the building down, which would have been more cost effective, Atlas Development is honoring the community’s desire to preserve it. The exterior renovation will bring back its classic victorian charm (and more), while the interior renovation will create upper floor apartments and first floor space for a new restaurant or retail store. Atlas is now working with banks and the URA to complete the financing for the project. As always, we will update you as more information becomes available!
Atlas Development Co is also responsible for the private redevelopment of the apartment building at 1500 Broadway Avenue, which is now leasing.
Do you have mad skills? Are you really good at organizing events, writing, fundraising, graphic design, or something else? Do you love Beechview? Get in touch with Dave Brewton, Broadway Avenue’s business district manager, to learn how you can volunteer your time and help make Beechview fun and enticing for current residents, businesses, prospective developers, and new neighbors.
On January 14th, the Urban Redevelopment Authority board voted to approve $1.2 million in loans to support the $15.7 million development of the Hillcrest Senior Residences project at the site of the former Giant Eagle at 2920 Brownsville Road in Carrick. The Residences will be a four-story residential building exclusively for seniors, built to energy-efficient passive house standards. It will have 66 units available to seniors (62+) on a variety of budgets. The Hillcrest Senior Residences are set to feature a garden area, computer/library room, fitness room, outdoor terrace space, a private room for health services, and a laundry room-- something for everyone!
The developer is The Community Builders, one of the nation’s foremost nonprofit urban development organizations, with plenty of experience and success in building and managing these types of residential properties. The Community Builders have been assembling the funds for this project since 2012, when they first purchased the blighted property on the city line. This project will be catalytic for Carrick, as it is the first multi-million dollar investment on Brownsville Road in deades. Hillcrest will enable seniors to remain independent and stay in their neighborhood, near family, friends, and the businesses they have patronized all their lives.
Construction is set to begin in March of 2016.
For more information, check out the press release,
here.
Have you noticed the new open-air market being built on Brownsville Road at East Meyers? That’s the Dairy District Market, slated to be completed this year, and its design is now award-winning! Design Corps and Social Economic Environmental Design (SEED) Network have announced the Sixth Annual SEED Awards for Excellence in Public Interest Design winners. SEED recognizes design projects with exceptional social, economic, and environmental impact. Through a competitive jury process, six projects are selected and celebrated.
The market is set to open this spring and will hold various events each week. Stay tuned for more updates.
In July of 2015, we unveiled the Virtual Block Watch in Carrick. In August we announced that alongside the Mayor and every city department, we would launch the Carrick Blitz. The Blitz was aimed at bringing together every city department to tackle issues of blight and crime together. Every week, we sat down in the mayor’s conference room and discussed problems reported from the community at several community meetings, as well as data mined from 311 and 911 records. We targeted the areas with the most crime and blight activity, and we were happy to report the results.
42 properties ended up being targeted for investigation and enforcement by the departments of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections, Public Works, the Police, Law, and more! Blighted homes were given notice of violations from PLI, given 30 days to fix the problems, and then they were cited. Those who still didn’t comply were taken to court and had a date in front of the district magistrate.
The Blitz led to a more-than 1000% increase in directed patrols, arrests were made, and seven investigations are ongoing.
Did the 6-week Blitz fix all of the problems in the neighborhood? Of course not! Did it connect city departments to each other and familiarize them with Carrick, as well as our promise and challenges? It did. Did it bring together concerned members of the community with government officials to voice their concerns? It did. Together, we can keep the spirit of the Blitz going, and stick together to make our neighborhood great again.
Blitz by the Numbers:
24 Impacted streets
15 Property violations abated
14 Issues sent to magistrate
5 “Clean and Lien” completed (Where the Department of Public Works cleans up the property, and the owner is fined to recoup the costs.)
1 Building condemned
$1000 in fines levied
Are you a member of the military of a veteran? Are you related to a veteran? Then this community forum for military and veterans is for you! The Mayor's Office's Homefront Pittsburgh initiative is partnering with Allegheny County, CCAC, The Heinz Endowments, and The Mission Continues to host a community forum for military and veterans on Thursday, 2/4 from 6-8PM at CCAC, 800 Allegheny Avenue 15233.. The goal of the event is to learn about the needs of veterans in the community. There are three meetings, but only 2/4 is in the City. Please join us!
This past fall, our office was lucky enough to host Coro Fellow Alyson Shaw. The Coro Center for Civic Leadership, based in the South Side, which focuses on attracting ethical, diverse civic leaders nationwide. We engaged the Center to help find ways to improve services for youth in South Pittsburgh. They sent us Alyson Shaw! Ms. Shaw is from Eighty-Four, a small town in Washington County. After earning her BA in political science at the University of Pittsburgh she spent a year in Minneapolis, MN before returning to Pittsburgh as a Coro Fellow in Public Affairs. Aly says of the program:
“The Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs was a great opportunity to continue my advocacy work in a city that I loved, and to do so while gaining experience in multiple sectors. Through Coro I’ve been able to work in nonprofits, government, and philanthropy. Each of these sectors has given me a unique perspective on public policy issues in the city of Pittsburgh. Working with Councilwoman Rudiak’s office and getting the perspective of our local elected officials is invaluable experience that will help me further my career as an effective change maker.
“I was especially proud to be able to convene and assist South Pittsburgh’s youth programs around my report and presentation of the Youth Programs Inventory. I met so many smart and inspiring people who were doing great work to improve the lives of youth in South Pittsburgh. The more people I met the more I wanted to put together something that I thought would really benefit them and start to move them towards some progress on systemic issues that they are all facing. People from all over the city have reached out to me to ask questions about the project, and a few South Pittsburgh residents even reached out to me with the idea to start a “What’s going on for South Pittsburgh Youth” Facebook page. Progress is already being made and I have confidence that the remarkable people I met will continue to move South Pittsburgh youth programming forward.
“I’m currently at the Pittsburgh Foundation doing public policy and advocacy research, but I plan on staying connected to South Pittsburgh and continuing to assist in any way I can.”
Coro Fellow Alyson Shaw was able to provide our office with a comprehensive report outlining the opportunities and gaps for youth in the Hilltop and South Pittsburgh neighborhoods. After interviewing 50 organizations, individuals and teens themselves, Ms. Shaw was able to conclude that we need to do a lot more for our youth. This seems obvious, but it was important to put this information on paper to be able to show foundations and other groups that the need is real, and this lack is hurting our communities. Programming for teens who aren’t athletes is scarce. Programs which do offer programs are small and can only offer a few spots at a time.
Another problem Ms. Shaw’s report uncovered is that girls feel unsafe in getting to after-school programs. These girls are staying in their rooms instead of enriching themselves and their communities. It’s clear that when it comes to youth, there’s a lot more that we need to do!
In addition to creating the Office of Early Childhood and the position of Early Childhood manager, we are working to encourage teen and youth programming in all our neighborhoods. When we invest in our youth, we invest in the future of Pittsburgh!
Click
here to see more. Or click
here view the presentation.
Interested in getting more involved in Beechview? You are invited to join the Board of Directors of the Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation for an Open House at their offices at 1660 Broadway Avenue, Beechview, on February 3 from 6 to 8 pm. Light refreshments and beverages will be served. Please RSVP to
johnpaul...@gmail.com if you plan to attend. PHDC is looking forward to talking to you about their exciting efforts!
Join the Urban Agriculture Workshop on February 23rd!
Come hear Shelly Danko Day from the City of Pittsburgh present about the Urban Agriculture Zoning Code and the Adopt-A-Lot program, and learn about preparing for gardening in Spring 2016. Shelly will review the rules for growing food, selling food, and using vacant lots for garden projects!
All residents, nonprofits, community groups, and community members across all 11 Hilltop neighborhoods are encouraged to attend (Mt. Washington, Beltzhoover, Allentown, Arlington, Arlington Heights, Carrick, Mt. Oliver City, Mt. Oliver Borough, St. Clair, Bon Air, South Side Slopes & Knoxville)!!
FREE SEEDS will be handed out at registration, along with information about Seed Starting and Spring Planting Guides!
Duquesne Light will begin to replace electric meters with a new digital form of the meter. These will be able to help customers use energy during off-peak hours, and potentially reduce their bill or their carbon footprint. Customers will be able to manage their bills online, and receive alerts for high usage!
Click here to learn more.
Biscuits Bingo is a yearly event hosted by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police which benefits animal rescue organizations and enables these groups to save those who do not have a voice. Just $25 will get you access to one of the funnest events in the Burgh!
Biscuits Bingo will be held on Saturday, February 27th at the IBEW Local 5 Hall on the South Side. The doors open at 10 am. Bingo games begin promptly at noon. Every penny raised will be used to to give rescued animals a second chance at finding their forever loving home. Please join us for this family fun event and to take a stand for those who unable to speak for themselves.
The groups who will benefit from Biscuits Bingo 2016: Animal Friends, Animal Rescue league and wildlife center, Homeless Cat Management Team, Forever Home Beagles , Hog Heaven Rescue Farm, Western Pa Humane Society, Great Pyrenees Rescue, Hello Bully, Distinguished Doberman, Rabbit Wranglers, Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary, Senior Pet and Animal Rescue. Let's make 2016 another record breaking year! Can we beat last year's total of $26,070.00?!
Carrick unveiled the very first virtual block watch in Pittsburgh in July of 2015. Since then, many communities around Pittsburgh have voiced interest in utilizing this crime-fighting tactic. Just recently, the Carrick Community Council received an inquiry from the Toledo, Ohio to discuss best practices and our experience with the virtual block watch. It’s very exciting to watch the initiatives that our community groups have developed travel across our city and across the State Line!
On February 27, a team of South Pittsburgh teens working with the Student Conservation Association (SCA) will begin work in McKinley Park and the Mt. Oliver business district as part of a partnership with Economic Development South. The crew – 10 high school students and two adult crew leaders – will work on Saturdays for 14 weeks; students will build and maintain trails as well as work to eradicate invasive plant species such as Japanese knotweed, which grows in abundance in our region, all the while learning about the environment, sustainability, financial literacy, and developing the skills necessary to get and hold a job. Students will earn minimum wage for all work and learning hours.
“SCA has provided much-needed support in engaging local youth to address issues of sustainability,” says Greg Jones, Executive Director of Economic Development South. “The crews have restored important trail networks in our neighborhoods, reconnecting area youth with recreational facilities at McKinley Park.”
The mission of SCA is to build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong stewardship of the environment and communities by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land. Since its founding in 1957, SCA has deployed a force of more than 75,000 members, completing 28 million hours of conservation service at national, regional, state, county, and municipal natural resource management sites in all 50 states. SCA has operated in the Pittsburgh region for 15 years. During that time it has introduced hundreds of high school students to working with nature and educated them about the importance of environmental health in their lives.
Toastmasters Carrick PA is one of 14,500 clubs representing 313,000 members in 126 countries around the world, which allows members and youth an opportunity to learn and develop public speaking and conversation skills that are vital for success in today’s world.
The youth club is for students in grades 6-12. This group, called The Gavel Club, provides a hands on learning opportunity for kids and teens to practice and improve their communication and leadership skills. Unlike many learning experiences, instead of focusing on the things done wrong, we focus on the skills each speaker masters, and then give only a couple of items to improve per speech. The Gavel club works just like the typical Toastmasters meeting with prepared speeches, evaluations from peers, grammar and timing feedback, and impromptu speaking. In terms of leadership, the Gavel Club offers an amazing opportunity. While the moderators (who attend each meeting) provide feedback and instruction, they mostly guide the youths in leadership opportunities so the youth feel empowered to make decisions and eventually become the main leaders of the program.
The club meets every 1st and 3rd Saturday from noon until 12:50pm at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Carrick Branch, 1811 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15210. There is no charge for the youth to attend. They are not required to attend every session, but “practice makes perfect” and it’s encouraged that most sessions are attended.
Not sure who to call for assistance with taxes? The most important number to remember is 211! The United Way can help direct you to resources in the City and County as well as the non-profit community. Please reach out and see what 211 can do to help you!
Show your love of your pets and your family by getting your animals vaccinated on Valentine’s Day at the Western PA Humane Society. From 9AM to 2PM, the Humane Society will offer low cost vaccines for dogs and cats. Vaccines range from $10-$30 for dogs and cats, which is a huge savings! Microchips are available, too. Please bring cash, Visa or Mastercard. Call
412-321-4625 for more information or click
here.
Pittsburgh’s Snow Resource center is active. Navigate to
http://www.pittsburghpa.gov/snow/ and you can track your plow to see in real time which streets are being cleared.
During a snow and ice event, the City’s main goal is to keep vehicle traffic moving on Pittsburgh’s 1031 miles of streets. In order to accomplish this goal, The Department of Public Works strives to meet public safety needs, aka: maintain passable roads to hospitals, fire stations, schools and police stations. They work to ensure access to large and small businesses as well as enable travel along residential streets and alleys.
The Port Authority of Allegheny County has scheduled two public hearings to accept testimony on its transit fare proposal, which aims to simplify its system and lower fares for about a quarter of its current ridership.The hearings will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at the William Penn Ballroom inside the Omni William Penn Hotel, Downtown, and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 8 at the Connolly Ballroom inside Alumni Hall in Oakland.
The Authority’s Board is considering a policy that would replace the current multi-zone system with a single zone that would cost all riders $2.50 with a ConnectCard regardless of their destination; instate a 25 cent surcharge for riders paying with cash; move to a pay-on-enter system; eliminate the free Downtown bus zone; offer new products; and charge riders $2 for a ConnectCard on Jan. 1, 2017. A second phase that would allow the Authority's light rail to also switch to a pay-on-enter and cashless proof-of-payment system would begin in the second half of 2017. The proposed changes to the state's second-largest public transit system came as a result of overwhelming input from riders and Authority employees.
Those wishing to sign up to speak at the public hearings can register by calling
412-566-5187 or
412-231-7007 for TTY. Speakers will be limited to three minutes.
Additionally, comments on the proposal will be accepted Feb. 1 through March 31 at
www.portauthority.org,
farep...@portauthority.org or via U.S. Mail at Port Authority of Allegheny County, Attn: Fare Policy Proposal, 345 Sixth Ave. Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222. The Board will take the testimony into consideration before making a final decision in the spring.
There will be no February meeting of the Brookline Block Watch. Meetings will resume March 8th, 2016.
Monday, 2/1, 7PM - Carrick-Overbrook Block Watch, Concord Elementary Auditorium 2350 Brownsville Road 15210
Wednesday, 2-3, 6PM Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation Open House 1660 Broadway Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15216, USA
Thursday, 2/4, 7PM - Beechview Area Concerned Citizens and Beechview Block Watch, 1621 Broadway Avenue (Basement) 15216
Sunday, 2/14, 9AM - 2PM - Low Cost Vaccine Clinic, Western PA Humane Society, 1101 Western Avenue 15233
Monday, 2/15, 6PM - Zone 3 Public Safety Meeting, 830 East Warrington Avenue 15210
7PM - South Pittsburgh Development Corporation Meeting, 1036 Brookline Blvd
Thursday, 2/18, 7PM - Port Authority Beechview Trolley Track Reconstruction Meeting, St. Catherine of Siena
Tuesday, 2/23, 7PM - Overbrook Community Council Meeting, 2410 Saw Mill Run Blvd 15210
Saturday, 2/27, 10AM - Biscuits Bingo, 5 Hot Metal Street 15203
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