Pittsburgh

11/20 2014

City Holiday Tree Lighting Festival Downtown THIS Friday 11/21 at Noon.

The City of Pittsburgh will officially kick off the holiday season with the annual City Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday.

Festivities begin at Noon on the City-County Building Portico. The Salvation Army Brass Ensemble will entertain with seasonal favorites and Pittsburgh’s own “3TG” will sing carols. Following the ceremony the Sonorilo Handbell Choir will perform. Local mascots including Santa, the Pirate Parrot, Iceburgh and Buster will be in attendance.

Mayor William Peduto is attending the National League of Cities Congress of Cities in Austin, Texas this week and will not be in attendance to light the tree. In partnership with Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, AJ Mendoza, 3, has been selected to perform the honors of lighting the city holiday tree this season. Mendoza’s parents, Kristina and Alex Mendoza, will also be in attendance.

Complimentary refreshments will be provided by the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and Starbucks. The Salvation Army will be present until 1:00 p.m. collecting non-perishable food items or monetary donations for their annual drive.

WHAT:

The City of Pittsburgh Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

WHERE:

City-County Building Portico – 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh

WHEN:

Noon, Friday, November 21, 2014

10/20 2014

Community Mtg On Former Civic Arena Site – Mon 11/3 6-8pm

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS PLDP COMMUNITY MEETING ON NOVEMBER 3
You are invited by the Pittsburgh Penguins to join them for a discussion on the Preliminary Land Development Plan (PLDP) and the Specially Planned (SP) District zoning text for the former Civic Arena site redevelopment project in the Lower Hill District.  The meeting will be held:
Monday, November 3, 2014
6:00-8:00pm
Elsie H. Hillman Auditorium at the Kaufmann Center
1825 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
For more information about the community meeting click here.
07/24 2014

Pgh Citizen’s Police Academy – Starts Tue 9/9/14 – Applications Due 9/3/14

Inline image 1PITTSBURGH CITIZEN’S POLICE ACADEMY

Twice a year, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police sponsors an opportunity for members of the community to become closely acquainted with the roles and responsibilities of the Police Bureau.  The Pittsburgh Citizen’s Police Academy (CPA) brings the police and the community close together in a setting that offers a sample of police training to each participant.

Participants receive three hours of training one evening each week for 15 weeks in many of the varied functions of law enforcement.  They experience some of the highlights of police training and are exposed to the operations of the police bureau.  Participants are taught the basics of criminal law, search and seizure, patrol tactics, firearms and many other subjects.  They learn about the processing of a crime scene, how police canines are used, and are exposed to many of the specialty police units. CPA participants meet and talk with many of the street officers as well as the command staff and training staff that serves them.  All this takes place in a safe and entertaining training environment.

Instructors are law enforcement professionals who teach both veteran and recruit police officers.  Students leave this training with a greater understanding of the police mission and with an increased ability to see how the police serve the community.

This program is not an accredited certification course to become a sworn police officer.

The next session of the CPA will begin on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, at the Pittsburgh Police Headquarters 1203 Western Avenue Pittsburgh Pa 15233.  The program will be held each Tuesday evening, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for 15 weeks.  

Class size is limited to 30 participants.  All interested persons must complete an application and give permission for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police to conduct a background check to determine if they have a criminal record.  The CPA application can be found at

http://www.pittsburghpa.gov/police/citizens_police_academy.htm

Please return applications by U.S. mail or hand-deliver to the Pittsburgh Police Training Academy. All applications must be received by September 3, 2014.

07/10 2014

NOLA ON THE SQUARE: JAZZ FEST 7/15-19

NOLA ON THE SQUARE:  JAZZ FEST
July 15th marks the grand reopening of Nola on the Square in Downtown’s Market Square.  The occasion will include a celebration of live Jazz music throughout the week.  All are welcome to enjoy themselves at the restaurant while live music is held each night from July 15 to July 19.  For a list of bands and times, please see the attached links:
http://apps.pittsburghpa.gov/district6/BigY_CP_Ad.pdf
http://nolaonthesquare.com/pdf_files/GrandOpening.pdf
05/13 2014

CitiParks Farmers Markets to open soon

You don’t have to leave the City limits to buy farm-fresh vegetables. Visit conveniently located Farmers’ Markets throughout the summer and fall to find a wide variety of perennial favorites and seasonal specialties.

All markets sell farm-fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, cheese and baked goods, while several locations also sell flowers, small gifts and gardening items.

http://pittsburghpa.gov/citiparks/farmers-market
05/01 2014

Pgh Marathon THIS Sunday 5/4 – Oakland Road Closures 6:30-11:30am

From the Marathon Website:
Getting Around Town
Downtown closures will start at 11:30 PM on Saturday, May 3 and continue around the city through 2:30 PM on Sunday, May 4. For detailed information, view our road closure chart and road closure map.
If you need to travel around the city race day, view the Guide to Marathon Sunday map; routes in/out and around the city are provided. We also suggest checking our detailed map of Downtown before race day for anyone that will travel Downtown on race day; please note, certain sections of the city will be completely closed off to traffic on race day. Anyone in these sections of the city that will need to leave during the race, should consider parking their car outside the area.
– See more at: http://www.pittsburghmarathon.com/RaceWeekend#Town
04/14 2014

Pgh Rated 5th Best In World For Property Investment

From The Mayor's Office:
PITTSBURGH, PA – Pittsburgh has been rated the 5th best city in the world for long-term real estate investment in a new study by Grosvenor Research.
The “Resilient Cities” report from the international property development company ranks the world’s top 50 cities on climate, environment, resources, infrastructure, and community affairs.
Pittsburgh is rated the 5th most resilient city in the world, following Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Chicago. Grosvenor — a 300-year-old development firm based in London — uses the report to study the long-term stability and prosperity of cities in guiding long-term property investment.
The report underscores why Pittsburgh is both a good near and long-term bet for real estate, particularly given its growth, good governance and the actions the Peduto administration is taking to mitigate climate risks and invest in infrastructure.
“The rest of the world is responding to the great things happening in Pittsburgh and my administration's promotion of sustainable growth policies to make our city a global leader,” said Mayor William Peduto from Toronto, where he is attending a conference. “Sustainable development projects we are investing in across the city will cement this reputation for decades.”
The report was issued last week at the spring meeting of the Urban Land Institute in Vancouver.
In a statement Grosvenor’s Group Research Director Dr. Richard Barkham said, “This research provides us with a powerful tool to use when looking at the risks and opportunities of long-term real estate investment in cities around the world. It helps Grosvenor, our clients and partners, to look beyond classic, but limited definitions of real estate investment risk, which have little meaning over the long-term, and instead broadens our understanding of a city and its risk profile.”
The study is available here.
http://www.grosvenor.com/Grosvenor/files/19/194bb2f9-d778-4701-a0ed-5cb451044ab1.pdf
04/04 2014

Mayor Peduto Reinstates Graffiti Task Force

From Mayor Peduto's Office:
PITTSBURGH, PA – Mayor William Peduto announced today he has directed the Pittsburgh Police Bureau to reinstitute its Graffiti Task Force.
The task force will work in tandem with Graffiti Busters crews within the Department of Public Works to report and investigate graffiti vandalism, and clean it from public property.
The task force was highly effective from its inception in 2006 to its disbanding last year. It had a 100% conviction rate for graffiti/criminal mischief arrests, and assisted police zone officers and outside police jurisdictions with their graffiti investigations and prosecutions.
“The Graffiti Task Force is a critical component of our public safety and quality of life,” Mayor Peduto said. “It is part of of the broken window theory: If you let the graffiti stand then eventually you're going to find more litter. Once the litter and graffiti are there, you see the crime.”
Two police officers will be detailed to the task force on Monday working under Commander Linda Rosato-Barone of the Narcotics & Vice unit, and a third officer may join the task force later.
Graffiti Busters does most of its work in warm weather months when its pressure washers are most effective. The Public Works crew responds to 311 complaints about graffiti, watches over heavily traveled City thoroughfares, and takes assignments from DPW supervisors who notice graffiti in neighborhoods.

04/01 2014

Pgh Dept Of Public Works Receives Recycling Grant

From the Mayor’s Office:

The City of Pittsburgh recently won a $476,031 recycling grant, which was an increase over the grant the previous year.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued the Recycling Performance Grant after the city and private haulers together recycled more than 59,528 tons of residential and commercial material. The grant for collections in 2012 was an increase from the roughly 53,000 tons collected in 2011, which resulted in a $433,000 grant.

The funds go directly into the city’s General Fund.

“Recycling not only helps our planet but our city budget too,” Mayor William Peduto said. “I want to thank all of our residents and businesses for participating, while challenging them to do even better in the future.”

The recycling program is part of Pennsylvania Act 101, which mandates recycling in the state’s larger municipalities.

02/10 2014

Black History Month Event at Thelma Lovette YMCA THIS Sat 2/15 12pm

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION AT THE THELMA LOVETTE YMCA
A Celebration of Black History Month to be Held at the Thelma Lovette YMCA this Saturday

Greetings Friends and Neighbors-

This upcoming Saturday, at the Thelma Lovette YMCA in the Hill District, a Black History Month Celebration will be hosted which will be open to all:

Where: Thelma Lovette YMCA, 2114 Centre Ave
When: Saturday, February 15, 12pm-2pm

Councilman Lavelle will be present to kick off festivities which include:

  • Black Pittsburgh Historic Presentation/Black Civil War Enactment Group by John Ford
  • Centre Avenue Historic Presentation by Leon Haley
  • Wylie Avenue Days Film Documentary
  • Presentation of the Hill District Historic Wall
  • NAKA Entertainment
  • Miller School African Dance and Drum Troop
  • Presentation of Black Genealogical Study
  • Children and Family Activities
  • Teenie Harris Collection by Carnegie Library

For more information on the festivities, you can visit the Thelma Lovette Y site by accessing this link, or by calling them at 412-315-0990.

City Council District 6

01/30 2014

Public Hearing And Post Agenda On Land Banking Bill – Thu 2/6/14 1pm

Public Hearing and Post Agenda to focus on Land Banking Bill currently under consideration in City Council
Sent 01/29/2014 @ 10:53 am
Greetings Residents and Neighbors of District 6-
In late 2012, the State of Pennsylvania passed legislation authorizing municipalities to create land banks, entities that acquire, manage and dispose of vacant, abandoned and tax delinquent properties to facilitate their redevelopment and reuse.
City Council is currently reviewing an ordinance that would create a land bank for the City of Pittsburgh (to access a copy, click here). The legislation will forever change how real property and development are dealt with in Pittsburgh. In District 6, certain neighborhoods, such as the Hill District, Perry North and South, hold up to 50% of properties which would be eligible for the land bank.
Some key highlights in the bill include:
  • The creation of a new authority in the City to manage the land bank
  • The creation of a Mayoral controlled board to oversee the authority with no formal oversight or checks and balances from City Council
  • The ability for the authority to seize any and all property they deem necessary including owner occupied, tax-delinquent property
  • The lack of a process for formal community input
Given the significant impact this legislation will have on the City of Pittsburgh and in our District, it is important to inform ourselves of the bill’s provisions, its implications, and to discuss how it could be improved to better serve the interests of our communities. To this end, I encourage you to attend a Pubic Hearing being held on Thursday, February 6, at 1pm in Council Chambers to share your thoughts on the Land Bank bill. There will also be a Post Agenda on the subject the same day,February 6, 2pm in Council Chambers.
I look forward to seeing you there, as we work together to craft a bill that truly benefits the residents of our district and the greater City of Pittsburgh.
Sincerely,
R. Daniel Lavelle
01/28 2014

Mayor Peduto Orders Warming Shelters Open, Refuse Collection Delay Ahead Of Polar Vortex

With temperatures forecast to to dip below zero and wind chills as low as -15 degrees tomorrow, Mayor William Peduto has ordered refuse collection to be suspended for Tuesday only and for warming centers to be activated across the City.

“Temperatures tomorrow will again be potentially hazardous and we all must take precautions to make sure our friends and neighbors are safe,” said the Mayor.

Refuse, bulk waste and recycling collection will be delayed by one day, with trash collection starting again on Wednesday. The schedule will proceed as follows:  If your scheduled day of collection is Tuesday, Jan. 28, you will be serviced on Wednesday, Jan. 29 and so on for the remainder of the week. This will continue through the end of the week with Friday’s normally scheduled collection being picked up on Saturday.

In addition, warming centers will be available for residents who need them. All city facilities will be open tomorrow, including senior centers, and will function as warming centers throughout the day.  Five warming center locations will be open from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. both Tuesday and Wednesday as well:

CITY WARMING CENTERS (MAP)
Greenfield Healthy Active Living Center 745 Greenfield Avenue 412-422-6551
Homewood Healthy Active Living Center 7321 Frankstown Avenue 412-244-4190
South Side Healthy Active Living Center 12th and Bingham Streets 412-488-8404
Sheraden Healthy Active Living Center 720 Sherwood Avenue 412-777-5012
North Side, Allegheny Center Healthy Active Living Center Allegheny Square 412-323-7239

If temperatures dip to unsafe levels this evening or thereafter, or if there are power or heat outages, the city will work with the American Red Cross to provide overnight shelter for residents needing assistance.

10/30 2013

Free Home Repair Workshop – Nov 6 6pm-7:30pm

Time: 6PM to 7:30PM Location: East End Food Co-op • 7516 Meade Street Pittsburgh, PA 15208

DEAWP’s (Diagnostic Energy Auditors, Western PA) approach to solving some of the most common but hidden problems underneath our roofs by looking at case studies of three homes in the East End. Free! 6-7.30pm, Nov 6 at the East End Food Co-op • 7516 Meade Street Pittsburgh, PA 15208

  • The first case study is a Victorian home that had been plagued with comfort and health issues.
  • The second house is a 1950s ranch that was merely a furnace and air conditioning upgrade until the entire house was examined.
  • The third project is a 1950s two-story home that began as a health hazard and turned into healthy home.

Click to check out their website

10/22 2013

City-Wide Public Safety Mtg – Wed. 10/23 6-8 PM

City Wide Public Safety Meeting October 23, 2013 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

You are invited to the Fall, 2013 City Wide Public Safety Meeting

Wednesday, October 23, 2013 6:00 – 8:00 PM

South Hills Retirement Center, 125 Ruth Street, Mt. Washington

Meet City Department Heads and staff including all Law Enforcement and Public Safety Personnel

Call: Liz Style at 412 255 4772 for more information

Agenda Activities include:  Cops and Kids Camp Donor Awards, Resource Tables, Speakers, CeaseFire, Coalition Against Violence, Emergency Management Agency new Program and more

Heads of city departments and public safety personnel will be available to answer your questions and concerns.