News Around the Neighborhood
Construction Continues in Allegheny Commons Park
On Wednesday, May 24, we celebrated the next phase of construction in historic Allegheny Commons Park. The improvements to Pittsburgh’s oldest public park will include pathway resurfacing, canopy tree plantings, bench installations, lighting to illuminate the North Promenade and an overall enhancement to the pedestrian experience. This investment directly reflects the Northside neighborhood’s unique needs and the upgrades residents wanted to see in their community park.
Construction is slated to begin on June 19 and will continue throughout the summer. Stay tuned for project updates or click here to learn more!
Special thanks to the following individuals for contributing to this extraordinary ceremony: Parks Conservancy President and CEO Catherine Qureshi, Senator Wayne Fontana, County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Deputy Mayor Jake Pawlak, Councilman Bobby Wilson, Christine Waller of Duquesne Light Company and Diana Bucco of The Buhl Foundation.
You’re Invited! | North Promenade Project Groundbreaking Ceremony
Join us at the North Promenade Rehabilitation Project Groundbreaking Ceremony
Dear Neighbor,
We’re thrilled to announce that the next phase of the North Promenade rehabilitation in historic Allegheny Commons Park will begin soon!
In honor of the latest park project, you’re invited to a special groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, May 24, beginning at 11:00 a.m near the corner of Federal Street and North Avenue.
The event will feature remarks from state, city, and local dignitaries, a ceremonial project kick-off, and light refreshments.
The reconstruction of the North Promenade will stretch from Federal Street toward the George Washington Monument, building on the progress from the first phase completed in 2021 and the award-winning restoration of the historic Patricia Rooney Memorial Fountain, a focal point of Allegheny Commons Park. New park lighting, pathways, and benches will be installed, as well as a pedestrian friendly crossing at Arch Street.
This project is made possible in part by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth Financing Authority, funding from the City of Pittsburgh Parks Tax Trust Fund, and thanks to our generous supporters.
It’s an honor to have this opportunity to enhance a treasured part of one of Pittsburgh’s most remarkable communities. Please click here to learn more about this unique project and how you can support the Parks Conservancy’s ongoing work in Allegheny Commons.
Sincerely,
Your Friends at the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
P.S. Stay tuned for project updates in the coming months and a grand reopening community celebration of this section of the North Promenade later this year!
2023 Tour & Tasting
City Capital Budget Meetings
We are encouraging neighbors to register and attend their preferred session at this link: https://engage.pittsburghpa.gov/2024-city-pittsburgh-budgets .
- Virtual: Saturday, May 13 at 1 PM : https://bit.ly/VirtualPGHBudget
- North: Thursday, May 18 at 6 PM : Manchester Citizens Corporation, 1319 Allegheny Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15233
- West: Thursday, June 1 at 6 PM : Sheraden Senior Center, 720 Sherwood Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15204
- East: Wednesday, June 7 at 6 PM : Homewood Senior Center, 7321 Frankstown Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15208
Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Mayor’s Office’s Neighborhood Services with questions. You can reach us by phone at 412-255-2626 and one of our 311 team members will transfer you. Or, you can respond to this email.
We appreciate all you do for our city.
Sincerely,
Lindsey Aquino-Robles (She/Her)
Community Liaison
Office of The Mayor
Cell: 412-463-5551
lindsey.robles@pittsburghpa.gov
414 Grant St. #512
Pittsburgh PA 15219
Housing & Planning Meeting on Tuesday
The Birds are Back!
World Migratory Bird Day Returns on Saturday, May 13
Join us for a day of bird-loving fun at the Frick Environmental Center!
World Migratory Bird Day is May 13, and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is hosting a day filled with bird-centric programming with various community partners. The global event highlights the importance of water for migratory birds this year and hopes to educate the public about bird conservation. Learn about the importance of these magnificent creatures with our educators at the Frick Environmental Center. The morning is jam-packed with birding sessions, story hikes, accessible birding, virtual reality play testing, scavenger hunts, and bird feeder crafts.
The main event goes from 8:00 am to noon, but we will offer an additional 7:00 am “Early Birding” session for you early birds.
Parks Press: The Latest in Parks News
Plant Flowers for Mother’s Day
What better way to say I love you to a special person in your life this Mother’s Day than by planting park perennials? When you make a gift to our perennial fund, these perpetual plantings beautify the parks and serve a vital role in our local ecosystem through a strategic pollination plan. So give the gift that’s in bloom year after year!
Stormwater Conversations
What happens on your street when it rains too hard? Join one of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority’s (PWSA) upcoming “Stormwater Conversations!” The PWSA will host a series of six community workshops to gather feedback and address stormwater challenges head on. Recognizing that everyone learns and receives information differently, the PWSA has designed the workshops to be engaging and interactive. Learn more and share your perspective with the PWSA team.
2023 Allegheny West Preservation Award
The Allegheny West Local Review Committee, along with The Allegheny West Civic Council, announces the 13th Annual Allegheny West Preservation Awards. These awards are presented to property owners in Allegheny West who have completed projects over the recent years, retaining or restoring appropriate elements of historic character, and adhering to the neighborhood guidelines. The success of these projects was attained by doing research, creating well thought-out plans, following neighborhood historic guidelines, and working with the neighborhood LRC and the City HRC to seek advice on the application process and guidelines.
The 2023 Award Recipients Are:
Greg Kobulnicky for the restoration of 908 Beech Avenue, main house and ancillary building/electric shop.
The main house, built in 1868, is an example of the Italianate style, the most popular in the Pittsburgh area between 1860 and 1885. It is one of the oldest along Beech Avenue. The ancillary building was added in 1895.
Over the recent years the most prominent reconstruction projects that Greg has undertaken are the replacement of the side porch, highly visible from Beech Avenue, and the reconstruction of the ancillary building in the rear. On the porch, chamfered columns were used, with brackets that match those above the front door. The porch deck and ceiling are tongue and groove wood. The roof is standing seam metal, and the door onto the porch is paneled wood with a glass lite. The new porch reflects the Italianate style.
The new first floor windows along the porch side are wood.
The reconstruction of the ancillary building involved masonry work and the rebuilding of the roof and chimneys. New windows were installed, and a new door added.
This restoration is successful because of the extensive research, well thought-out plans, and adherence to our neighborhood guidelines.
Paula Cellini for the restoration of 929 Western Avenue
This is a very special award because Paula is no longer with us. Not only did she restore the Western Avenue façade of 929 and replace garage doors in the rear, but she served on the LRC and was a strong advocate of historic preservation in Allegheny West.
Paula had just received approvals to add a second floor living space above her garage. She was preparing to start construction. She related her experiences in getting City permits and approvals to LRC members. Her experience in restoration in historic districts, both Allegheny West and Manchester will be greatly missed.
What is the Allegheny West LRC and What is its function?
The Allegheny West LRC is a group of residents in the AW City Historic District convened by the City Historic Review Commission to review exterior renovation projects, to help property owners manage the building permit process, and to provide our recommendations to the property owner, and the City Historic Review Commission.
Because Allegheny West is one of 13 city historic districts, all exterior work that is visible from a right-of-way, a street or alley, needs a Certificate of Appropriateness, and, depending on the type of project, possibly a building permit. Once you have a concept, idea, or plan, check the Allegheny West Historic Guidelines. These guidelines are posted on the City HRC site. If your project fits the guidelines or if it is fairly simple and straightforward, such as painting, you may be able to get approval for a Certificate of Appropriateness “over the counter” at 200 Ross Street, Downtown. The persons that you will need to contact for this are Sarah Quinn, 412-255-2243 or sarah.quinn@pittsburghpa.gov. or Sharon Spooner, sharon.spooner@pittsburghpa.gov, the City Historic Planners.
However, if you are planning a more significant project, such as replacement of windows or doors, installation of a fence, porch, addition, or a garage, you will need to have a hearing before the Historic Review Commission. In the second instance, please contact us, your local committee. We will review your plans, make recommendations, and help you get through the process. To be put on the LRC’s agenda, contact Carole Malakoff, carolemalakoff@hotmail.com.
Warning – Do not proceed with work without a building permit or a CofA! Property owners who have done so in the past have been cited by Building Inspection. Time and money had to be expended to resolve the situations, and projects were delayed.
More information about the Allegheny West City designation can be found on the City’s web-site under City Planning/HRC:
- guidelines for our neighborhood
- the other 13 historic districts
- applications to apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness
Tiffany Concert Series: Diamante Trio with Lilly Abreu
Submitted by Margee Bilyak
As you may know, Allegheny Historic Preservation Society hosts Tiffany Concerts and other events at Calvary United Methodist Church on the corner of Allegheny and Beech Avenues to showcase this magnificent structure in Allegheny West. Calling attention to it and inviting participation and support helps to insure that it will remain a strong and beautiful landmark building.We hope to see you there.