News Around the Neighborhood
Proposed Changes to the AWCC Bylaws
At the next membership meeting, Tuesday, November 12th, revisions to the Allegheny West Civic Council’s bylaws will be discussed for later adoption. Please orient yourselves to the changes as well as the committee putting them forth:
Parks Listening Tour, Phase Two
Please join us on October 16th for a presentation on the Phase Two of the Parks Listening Tour.
Phase Two of the Listening Tour will detail the plan for improved park safety, increased fair funding and access, and upgraded maintenance and facilities for all existing city parks to leave a legacy for our children and grandchildren. This parks plan is being developed with community input. We will be talking about the parks system as a whole and can answer questions about individual parks anywhere in the city.
Upper Northside Meeting
October 16th, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
3505 Perrysville Avenue
Please register here so we have an accurate headcount for food.
Please indicate your need for childcare when registering.
Letter from the President – October 2019
Fall has arrived and there are some important civic events to add to your already busy calendars:
On Wednesday, October 16th, a Pennsylvania Historical Marker will be dedicated to honor Dorothy Mae Richardson who was a lifelong resident of the Northside. In the mid-1960s, Richardson and her neighbors enlisted city bankers and government officials to help improve their neighborhood. Together, they convinced 16 financial institutions to give out conventional loans to the community, which were used to finance the rehabilitation of dilapidated homes. This effort laid the groundwork for the new field of community-based development and led to the founding of Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of Pittsburgh in 1968.
One of the projects made possible by NHS was the rehabilitation of a row of dilapidated houses on Western Avenue in Allegheny West known now as McIntosh Row. Allegheny West Civic Council still owns and has its office at 806 Western, in McIntosh Row.
The dedication will take place at 4:00 pm on the 16th at 1419 Arch Street and a reception will be held afterwards at The Mattress Factory. Everyone is invited to attend. It would be great to see an Allegheny West contingent joining the celebration of such an impressive woman whose work many years ago helped make our neighborhood what it is today.
Tuesday, November 5th is Election Day. Among the items we’ll see on our ballots is an amendment to the Pittsburgh Home Rule Charter to establish a dedicated Parks Trust Fund:
Shall the Pittsburgh Home Rule Charter be amended to establish a dedicated Parks Trust Fund beginning in 2020 to: improve, maintain, create and operate public parks; improve park safety; equitably fund parks in underserved neighborhoods throughout Pittsburgh; be funded with an additional 0.5 mill levy ($50 on each $100,000 of assessed real estate value); secure matching funds and services from a charitable city parks conservancy; and assure citizen participation and full public disclosure of spending?”
AWCC allocates time on every membership meeting agenda to discuss what’s happening in our park, Allegheny Commons. Please take some time to research the pros and cons of this ballot measure and make sure to vote on the 5th.
AWCC Membership will vote to approve the slate of officer nominations at the General Membership meeting on Tuesday, November 12th. The slate of nominations will be presented at the October 8th meeting.
Ann Gilligan
President, AWCC
AWCC Membership Meeting – October 8, 2019
Calvary United Methodist Church, 971 Beech Avenue
Tuesday, October 8th at 7:30 pm
- 7:30 – September Membership Meeting Minutes
- 7:35 – Guests
- Officer Burford, Pittsburgh Police
- Molly Onufer, Mayor’s Office
- Councilwoman Harris’ Office
- Senator Wheatley’s Office
- Erin Tobin, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
- 8:00 – Treasurer’s Report
- 8:15 – Ways and Means Update
- Christmas Tour Update
- 8:25 – Housing & Planning
- WANID Update
- Historic District Expansion
- Bear Dog Bicycle Relocation
- 8:45 – Nominations
- Nomination Committee: AWCC 2020 Officers
- 9:00 – Old Business
- Friends Committee: Block Grant Update
- 9:10 – New Business
- Parks Conservancy, Allegheny Commons, Promenade Project Letter of Support
- 9:15 – Adjournment
AWCC Officers: 2020 Slate of Nominees
Vice President: Tom Barbush
Secretary: Bob Griewhan
Treasurer: Cathy Serventi
Sargent-at-Arms: Sara Sweeney
Membership: Tim Zinn
Housing and Planning: John DeSantis, Robin Zoufalik
Ways and Means: Annette Trunzo
Communications: Trish Burton
Friends of Allegheny West/Green Space: Diane Caruso
Property: Michael Shealey
Christmas Tour 2019
Remember the dates are set for this year’s Christmas Tour: Friday, December 13th and Saturday, December 14th.
The planning process has begun. Much of the tour will remain as in past years, with Calvary UMC as the starting point (with an antique and vendor show!) and concluding at Holmes Hall with the Train Tour available to guests. The tour committee is actively seeking houses to be on tour. If you would like to offer your home, or to get more information about what is involved in being on tour, please contact Carol Gomrick or Annette Trunzo.
Please continue to check the weekly eNewsletters and the monthly Gazette for updates, committee meetings and volunteer opportunities.
Carol Gomrick: carolgomrick@gmail.com | Annette Trunzo: act1@pitt.edu
Reserve Your Space in October’s Fall Guide Today!
The Northside Chronicle’s Fall Guide
Our annual Fall guide is a reader’s favorite with featured events, shopping specials, restaurant deals, small business directory, map and more.
Check out the listing specials and sponsorship opportunities for best deals.
Any size call-in ad is also eligible for inclusion when ordered.
Featured Fall Listing Special is $60
Featured Listings include basic business information,
50 word description, and space for 2″x2″ image.
Basic Fall Listing Special is $35
Featured Listings include basic business information and 50 word description.
Print Issue Deadline to RESERVE SPACE is:
Friday, September 20th
Call Lauren Stauffer, Advertising Manager at (412) 321-3919 or email advertising@thenorthsidechronicle.com
to reserve your space today!
Letter from the President – September 2019
As summer comes to an end the days might be getting shorter but the Allegheny West Civic Council agenda is getting longer. Below is a summary of some of the items on the agenda for the September 10th Membership meeting:
- The National Aviary is planning to convert their current tent to a permanent structure to hold events. The architects and project team representatives will be joining us to share plans and hear feedback.
- City of Play is planning the inaugural Pittsburgh FireWalk – a series of two Saturday evening, public celebrations in Allegheny Commons. An array of fires will be carefully tended with talented performers, local storytellers, and street vendors of food, drink, and art.
- A $13,000 Block Grant was recently awarded to Allegheny West. Diane Caruso, Friends of Allegheny West Committee Chair, is coordinating the effort to identify projects to fund through this grant.
- Victorian Christmas Tour Planning is underway. The tour will be held December 13th and 14th. Volunteer opportunities are numerous and varied.
- The Western Avenue Neighborhood Improvement District project has been on-going for over 10 years and we have not seen significant progress in some time. A revised plan to run electrical lines behind the properties in the 800 block of Western Avenue has been drafted and property owners are being contacted to approve the new plan. An update on the status and next steps will be provided.
- Historic District Expansion discussions have been occurring at the Housing and Planning Committee meetings and an informational meeting is being organized for neighbors affected by the proposed expansion.
- An Allegheny West Civic Council By-Laws Committee is being formed to review and offer revisions to the current by laws.
As you can see from this list there is a lot of activity for our small neighborhood. All are welcome and encouraged to attend the General Membership meetings as well as the committee meetings taking place throughout each month.
Ann Giligan
President, AWCC
AWCC Membership Meeting – September 10, 2019
Calvary United Methodist Church, 971 Beech Avenue
Tuesday, September 10th at 7:30 pm
- 7:30 – August Membership Meeting Minutes
- 7:35 – Guests
- Officer Burford, Pittsburgh Police
- Molly Onufer, Mayor’s Office
- Councilwoman Harris’ Office
- Ms. Sacoyia Reed, Senator Wheatley’s Office
- Erin Tobin, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
- National Aviary (converting their tent into a permanent structure)
- Greg Manley, Pittsburgh Firewalk (series of fire-lit storytelling carnivals in Allegheny Commons)
- 8:10 – Treasurer’s Report
- 8:20 – Ways and Means Update
- Christmas Tour Update
- 8:30 – Housing & Planning
- WANID Update
- Historic District Expansion
- CCAC New Workforce Building
- 9:00 – New Business
- By-laws Committee
- Block Grant
- Membership Dues and November Elections
- 9:15 – Adjournment
Support New (and Old) Local Businesses
Just a reminder to all residents of Allegheny West to get out and support the new local businesses that have opened over the past few months. In addition to new spots for libations, such as the 412 Brewery, Refucilo, and Leo. a public house, we also welcomed the new women’s apparel and accessory boutique, Lynn & Barrett at 903 Western Avenue.
Opening soon are the Mezza Luna Cafe and the Mana Board Game Tavern. Keep an eye out for these new spots, and please get out and support our neighborhood businesses.