News Around the Neighborhood
Northside Parks Summer Update: Allegheny Commons
Follow @AlleghenyCommonsInitiative on Facebook or email ETobin@pittsburghparks.org to join the Allegheny Commons distribution list.
Pedestrian Bridge – Construction is scheduled to begin in Spring 2026, with completion anticipated later this year or in Spring 2027.
Lake Elizabeth Cleanup – PPC’s annual cleanup engaged more than 90 volunteers and removed approximately 15 tons of muck and debris from the lake.
Patricia Rooney Fountain & Commons Trees – PPC continues to steward the fountain garden and care for young trees planted through capital projects and the commemorative tree program. The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works now manages most mechanical fountain maintenance, with PPC providing weekend and supplemental support as needed.
Outdoors for All – PPC is co-hosting this regional event with the Outdoor Inclusion Coalition and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on August 15. Organizations and community members are welcome to host a table, lead an activity, or attend. Additional event details will be available in July.
North Promenade Project – Segment D – Schematic design was completed earlier this year for the promenade section extending from the George Washington Monument to Lake Elizabeth.
Forest Bathing Programs (PPC led)
• June 6, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM — Allegheny Commons
• June 20, 7:30 PM–9:30 PM — Riverview Park (Evening Walk)
• July 11, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM — Allegheny Commons
• July 18, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM — Riverview Park
Housing Opportunity Fund Survey | Open through June 15
Every year, the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA) launches a survey to hear from Pittsburgh residents about their housing needs. That survey is currently open through June 15. Responses from this survey will help to inform a spending plan for the Housing Opportunity Fund in 2027. As a City resident and stakeholder, we encourage you to take the survey and provide your input. We also need your help to spread the word about the survey. The more Pittsburgh residents participate in the survey, the better the HOF Advisory Board and staff can ensure housing programs will meet the needs of our communities.
What is the Housing Opportunity Fund?
The Housing Opportunity Fund is a trust fund that provides $10 million per year from the City of Pittsburgh to the URA to operate programs with a goal to both preserve and increase the amount of affordable and accessible housing in the city. Here are examples of what the fund has supported in previous years:
- Making it easier to buy a home
- Helping homeowners keep up with repairs
- Helping renters and homeowners stay in their homes through short term financial assistance during a crisis
- Providing free legal housing services such as legal representation, foreclosure prevention, and tangled title assistance
- Building or fixing up affordable rental housing
- Building or fixing up affordable for-sale housing
More About the Survey
Survey responses are kept anonymous and combined with others to create the final survey results. Results will be shared with the HOF Advisory Board, URA Board, and City Council to determine an approved spending plan for next year.
President’s Message
Happy May, Neighbors!
The long awaited NFL draft is over, the roads are all open again, and spring is in full bloom.
This month we get to celebrate with our first block party of the year: The Allegheny West Memorial Day Block Party! If you’re new to the neighborhood, this is a perfect opportunity to come out, meet your fellow Allegheny West neighbors, and enjoy some time together. Details for the block party can be found on page three of this Gazette. We hope to see you there! I’d also like to wish all the moms in our community a very Happy Mother’s Day. I hope you enjoy a wonderful relaxing day surrounded by family and friends!
As a follow-up to last month’s Gazette, I want to share an update provided by the owner of Lefty’s regarding changes that have been implemented over the past 30 days. He reports that the following operational changes are now in effect:
- Closing time is now 11:00 pm, with last call at 10:40 pm
- All entertainment events have been canceled, including Saturday afternoon acoustic music, Wednesday comedy shows, and most private parties.
- The back patio area has been reduced by half, with seating closest to Galveston eliminated.
- Additional security has been added at the back bar and outdoor patio on weekends.
- Front windows will no longer be opened during operating hours.
- Staff now patrol the sidewalk area after last call to encourage patrons to leave safely and quietly.
- Security policies are being updated, including a more stringent banning policy.
- Jukebox volume has been significantly reduced, with new lower volume limits set by the vendor.
- Music is being censored to eliminate controversial lyrics.
- Large bags are no longer permitted, aligning with policies used at local sporting events and concerts.
- A revised happy hour menu is planned in the coming weeks — stay tuned for details.
- Lefty’s will now close on selected holidays, which were previously among their busiest days.
We will plan to discuss these changes at our upcoming general membership meeting.
Thank you to everyone in the neighborhood who continues to stay engaged, share feedback, and help make Allegheny West a safe, welcoming and enjoyable place to live.
Regards,
Elizabeth Barbush President, AWCC
2026 Tour and Tasting in Old Allegheny
Submitted by Jo Beatty, Chair, Ways & Means Committee
We are full steam ahead for the sold out Allegheny West 2026 wine and garden tour which will be held Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27. Over the next month we will be organizing volunteers, finalizing food and wine, supporting home owners and working through the final details. We are always looking for volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Carol or me via tours@alleghenywest.org. Thank you to those who have already reached out. Once again a reminder that Dan will again be leading the docents – thank you Dan!
Also a reminder that we are also seeking donations to include in the very popular raffle baskets which we do every year. Thank you to those of you who have confirmed donations already. As a reminder we are grateful for bottles of wine, gift cards, gift certificates on tour themed and locally sourced items. Please let us know if you would like to donate via tours@alleghenywest.org.
Many thanks in advance.
AWCC Membership Meeting Agenda – May 12, 2026
The next Allegheny West Civic Council General Membership Meeting will be held Tuesday, May 12 at 7:30 pm at Calvary United Methodist Church, 971 Beech Avenue – also accessible on Zoom.
7:30
Call to Order
7:35
Greetings and Introductions of New Neighbors
7:40
Reports of Elected Officials, City Departments, Organizations
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City of Pittsburgh Zone 1 Police (Officer Defeo)
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City of Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor’s Office (CJ Thorpe)
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State Representative Aerion Abney’s Office (Tom Harnett)
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Department of City Planning (Nazia Tarannum and Melissa Hill)
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Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy (Erin Tobin)
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Councilman Bobby Wilson’s Office (Bobby Wilson/Jordyn Gilliard/Julianne Hluska)
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City Controller’s Office (Rachael Heisler)
8:15
Guests and Presentations: Rick Krist, owner of Lefty’s
8:25
Officer and Committee Reports
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Minutes of Last Meeting (Tim Zinn, Secretary)
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Treasurer’s Report (Chris Sweeney, Treasurer)
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Communications Committee (Sarah Cook)
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Friends of Allegheny West (Trish Burton)
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Housing and Planning Committee (Tom Cihil)
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Membership Committee (Yulia Bhonsle)
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Property Committee (Aaron Bryan)
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Ways and Means Committee (Jo Beatty)
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Executive Committee Actions (Elizabeth Barbush)
8:50
Unfinished Business
8:55
New Business
9:05
Adjourn
Additions to the agenda can be made by emailing president@allegheywest.org.
PGH2050 Preferred Land and Comprehensive Plan Meeting
Friendly reminder, this is the final week of engagement for Land Use Direction in the PGH2050 Comprehensive Plan. There are two ways to participate in this round of engagement: attend a meeting or fill out the online survey.
In-person Meetings
There are five community meetings this week where you can provide your input on how Pittsburgh should grow.
- 4/27: Lawrenceville
- 4/28: Perry South
- 4/28: Downtown
- 4/29: West End
- 4/30: Allegheny Center
Online Survey
If you can’t attend one of the community meetings, there is an online version of the mapping activity. Survey closes on Friday, 5/1.
Preferred Land Use Mapping Activity
After this week, be on the lookout for details on a few city-wide workshops the first week of June.
Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra playing Pines of Rome
Join the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra for a FREE CONCERT on Sunday, May 17th at 7:30 pm at Heinz Hall and enjoy a night of monumental works!
The program includes Respighi’s magnificent Pines of Rome, the Overture to Beethoven’s ballet The Creatures of Prometheus, Leonard Bernstein’s high-energy Three Dance Episodes from “On the Town”, and Rachmaninoff’s brooding Isle of the Dead.
Reserve your free tickets.
Help Us to Begin to Spring Clean AW After a Long Winter
Can we DRAG you to church?
Get ready for a night of fun, flair and fabulousness! Calvary is excited to host “Can We DRAG You to Church?” — a fundraiser featuring dinner, a silent auction and drag performances by Pittsburgh’s Dixie Surewood and Leia Way LeStat (so far!) along with a few special performances by Calvary members!
This all-ages, professional show is Calvary-approved and celebrates, supports and uplifts the Trans and Drag Queen communities. Guests will enjoy lively performances, a panel of judges and the crowning of Miss Calvary 2026! Details on the location and ticket prices are coming soon — stay tuned for an evening of community, joy and generosity you won’t want to miss!
NFL Draft Week – Calvary UMC Activities
NFL Draft Pittsburgh Open House
Wednesday, April 22-Saturday, April 25
from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm daily
Volunteers Needed
North Side Neighborhood Block Party
Saturday, April 25 (9:00 am–12:00 pm)
- This is a small “block party” with all activities on the church’s property, inside and outside, rain or shine.
- We have a face painter, balloon twister, Marvel super hero, and a Duck. MADD’s joining us with an educational activity.
- We are planning a limited amount of small games, quick crafts, and a visual scavenger hunt.
- GBU Life employees, members and volunteers will be leading a mini-service project to pack 200 shelf-stable birthday cake kits to donate to local food banks and shelters.