News Around the Neighborhood
News Round Up
Get Involved: GTECH Urban Trail Project
Last year, GTECH worked with One Northside to complete a comprehensive survey of cultural, environmental, transit and entertainment assets in the Northside. A group of student researchers walked down every street in the Northside, interviewed over 300 residents, attended dozens of community meetings, and ultimately collected information about 1800 assets. A map of those assets can be found at http://www.northsideaim.org.
Now, the Buhl Foundation has asked GTECH to start the initial planning phases for a trail that would connect all 18 Northside neighborhoods and feature some of those 1800 assets. Such a project would focus on One Northside’s Quality of Place goals, including creating safe connections between neighborhoods, beautification and placemaking, enhancement of existing assets and the promotion of the Northside as a hub for arts and culture. That said, the purpose of the trail would be to both improve pedestrian and bike infrastructure for those living in the Northside, connect the neighborhoods to each other, and to make the Northside an inviting place for visitors. Funding for the actual design and implementation of the project would come from the Buhl Foundation, federal grants and other sources yet to be determined. We are currently attending community meetings to inform neighborhoods about the project, and to see who is interested in being more involved in the planning process.
International Award Goes to Allegheny West
Submitted by John DeSantis
The National Ornamental Metals Association has honored a recent Allegheny West project among the finest in the world. The newly installed massive iron gates along Galveston Avenue at the corner of Western have been recognized with the international organization’s second-highest award – The Silver Medallion.
Representing more than 9,000 shops in a dozen countries, the members of NOMA gathered in March for their annual MetalFab Conference. One of the highlights of the Conference each year is the competition among hundreds of projects seeking to be recognized by their peers for excellence in design and execution. The 600 iron artisans who vote for the selection are looking for complexity and difficulty, originality, and craftsmanship.
detail of the prize-winning iron gate
For iron artist Bob Thomas, whose forge is located in Charleston South Carolina, his first submission to the competition turned out to be a winner. Thomas had been commissioned to design and construct the ornamental iron gates and fence by The Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show, whose offices are located on that corner. When he first met his clients, they took him on a walking tour of the neighborhood – pointing out the extraordinary collection of authentic 19th century ironwork that has survived and been preserved in Allegheny West. Considering that much of this original architectural detail was commissioned for the homes of robber barons who owned their own iron and steel mills, Thomas immediately understood the magnitude of the task before him. He was expected to design and fabricate a set of gates that could hold their own in the company of some of the finest iron work ever made.
Bob Thomas expressed gratitude to the Home & Garden Show for providing the opportunity to create such an extravagant work of art. And he notes with pride that his gates will be enjoyed and admired for generations to come, by visitors who photograph and sketch them alongside their historic 19th century counterparts.
Above & Beyond
If you’d like to recognize a neighbor who went above-and-beyond for you or the neighborhood this month please send a note to president@alleghenywest.org or give Cathy a call at (412) 418-2027 and we’ll make sure they’re recognized in the Gazette.
First up: thank you to the neighbors who have taken the time to let the police know about suspicious activity or to call in 311 reports- even if the City can’t take action right away, reporting issues means that more resources can be allocated down the road. (For obvious reasons, I’m jut going to leave individual names out of it. 🙂 )
Thanks to the efforts of current Property chair, Ann and previous chair Howard, much needed repairs to 806 Western’s gutters have finally been completed. Special shout-out to Eleanor who not only had corbels made to match the current ones, but she personally painted them too. (Before they were installed – not while they were on the roof.)
When you see the flower baskets on Western Ave and they make you smile (or sneeze!), give an extra smile to Trish and Holly have again stepped up to wrangle the flower baskets for Western Ave.
Not only are Karen and Nick now holding informal office hours at 806 Western, they did an amazing job of sprucing up the place.
Join GTECH for a Conversation About Vacant Lots – and Get Involved!
From our friends at GTECH Strategies:
We’re working with the URA and several other community partners to help redesign their vacant land maintenance process, and we’re hosting an event on April 27 at the Pittsburgh Project at 6:00 pm to get community input. Hope to see you there, Allegheny West!
RSVP here: http://bit.ly/1UTeL5E
If you can’t make it you can also fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/1N6S2eF
Western Avenue Flower Baskets for 2016 – Now Available
The Deadline is April 10th to renew or sponsor a new flower basket on Western Avenue for the Summer.
Returning baskets = $275 (per basket)
New baskets (w/ new signs) = $345 (per basket)
Example of Flower Baskets
Thank You: Renewing Sponsors
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- Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show (5 baskets)
- The Parador Inn (2 baskets)
- Ann Gilligan Sorbet (1 basket)
- LeClaire, Griewahn & Scott (1 basket)
- The Modern Cafe (1 basket)
- Allegheny West Civic Council (5 baskets)
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- Gary Otto in Honor of Donna Otto (1 basket)
- Annette Trunzo in Memory of Olga and Paul Trunzo (2 baskets)
- The Burton Family (1 basket)
- Dr. Dan Strinkowski (1 basket)
- SMARTSolution (1 basket)
- Anon. neighbor & business owner (1 basket)
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Example of Sign for Basket Sponsors
For 2016, new baskets (including a sign) are $345/basket for the initial year, which includes purchase of the basket. Renewing a basket is $275/basket rate for planting and maintenance. Sponsoring a basket this year doesn’t require a commitment to continue to sponsor in the following years.
Sponsors of a full basket will be recognized with a sign on the basket. Contributors of smaller amounts—to be combined for full baskets or for future years’ maintenance – will be recognized on the AWCC website and in our newsletter.
Sponsor or Donate Today
We can accept payment for a basket online or by sending a check made out to AWCC to 806 Western Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233. Please include a note with the wording for the acknowledgement sign. To order more than one basket, please complete the order for one basket and then start again.
[ebor_button url=”https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=RDN942CEYHW8A” style=”sea” target=”_self”] Sponsor a Basket for $345 [/ebor_button][ebor_button url=”https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=HWFYG5RD4BU8E” style=”sea” target=”_self”] Renew a Basket for $275 [/ebor_button] [ebor_button url=”https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=PXVK8N4T7Q2PQ” style=”sea” target=”_self”] Choose Your Own Donation [/ebor_button]
We will be in touch shortly to confirm your donation. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us at flowers@alleghenywest.org or give Trish a call at (412) 523-9402.
Pittsburgh Parks: Allegheny Commons Stormwater Management Plan
The Allegheny Commons Stormwater Management Plan (funded by the Buhl Foundation) is complete. The plan focuses on the area of the park near Lake Elizabeth. One of the main goals of the plan is to redirect storm water runoff from nearby structures, North Avenue, and paths in the park to Lake Elizabeth. A deliverable of the plan will be recommendations for how to manage the storm water issues in and around the park.
The Allegheny Commons Stormwater Management Plan will be presented at a FREE Open Community Meeting at the National Aviary on Monday, April 4, at 6:00 pm. You are able to register online HERE. Registration is not required, but helpful so that the organizers know how many people to expect. Mark your calendar now so that you don’t miss this important discussion.
Pay-What-You-Can Tickets for Northsiders: Right of Way
Presented by CORNINGWORKS
Sunday April 3 | 2PM
Sunday’s performance is PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN admission payable only at the door (reserved regular price tickets available online).
One simple chromosome – just one. Within moments of arriving into the world, based entirely on our genitals, we are decorated with either a pink or blue bow. Without saying a word, without lifting a finger, our identities assumed, our paths decided. Or are they?
Critically acclaimed choreographer and performer Beth Corning invites renowned Pittsburgh drag queen/entertainer Jezebel Bebbington D’Opulence to be part of CORNINGWORKS’ upcoming 2016 GLUE FACTORY PROJECT production — Right of Way.
Parking at the Show
Tell the Allegheny Health Network garage attendant that you’re here to see CORNINGWORKS’ Right of Way at New Hazlett Theater to park for $7, cash only. Street parking is available, but will be limited due to the Pirates game.
[ebor_button style=”pumpkin” url=”https://www.showclix.com/event/corningworks-right-of-way”] Pay-What-You-Can at the door or prepay the regular amount online [/ebor_button]
City Releases 2016 Paving Plans And New Transportation Asset Management System
The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works (DPW) has released its 2016 street paving list. Approximately 49.5 miles are scheduled to be paved this year.
To support improved management of the city’s road network, the City of Pittsburgh has contracted with Cartegraph, Inc. to conduct a comprehensive pavement condition assessment of all 2,400 lane miles of city-owned streets. As part of the assessment process, Cartegraph staff will travel every mile of street using specially equipped vehicles that collect detailed information on twelve different distress criteria.
Tomorrow: Affordable Housing Deliberative Forum
When: Wednesday, March 23, 2016, 6:00-8:30 pm
Where: National Association of Letter Carriers, 841 California Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15212
It’s not too late to join us at one of five Affordable Housing Deliberative Forums. Your input is crucial to this process. All residents are welcome!
Modeled after the highly successful Police Chief and Capital Budget public meetings, these new forums will give neighbors a chance to learn about the work of the Affordable Housing Task Force. The forums will also provide an opportunity for the community to provide input on affordable housing issues, specifically relating to policies, programs or initiatives designed to increase the supply of affordable housing in the City of Pittsburgh.
Each forum will include:
- A brief overview of the Affordable Housing Task Force and Affordable Housing in Pittsburgh
- Small group discussions of priorities recommended by the task force
- Q&A opportunities with the panel members
- Food will be served
All forums contain the same presented content, and are open to every resident of the City of Pittsburgh. Families are encouraged to attend and participate.
Register: tinyurl.com/affordable412
Please call Sally Stadelman at (412) 255-4773 or email sally.stadelman@pittsburghpa.gov with any questions. Walk-in registration will be available on the day of the forum.