03/07 2015

Birmingham Bridge Construction And Detours Mar 9 – Nov 11

The next phase of the Birmingham Bridge Complex Preservation Project was announced Friday by PennDOT.
Starting at 10 p.m. March 13, the northbound lanes of the bridge will be closed. All northbound traffic will be shifted into the southbound lanes. The new configuration will have two southbound lanes, one northbound lane and a bicycle lane. Pedestrians will use the southbound sidewalk.
The northbound Oakland/Forbes Avenue ramp will be closed.
CAR AND TRUCK DETOUR:
  • Northbound traffic will turn left onto Fifth Avenue
  • Turn left onto Moultrie Street
  • Turn left onto Forbes Avenue
PennDOT plans to have the configuration in place until Nov. 11. Preparatory work will begin March 9-13.
PennDOT is creating an email distribution list to keep motorists informed of all traffic advisories and construction updates. Enroll by sending email addresses to stcowan@pa.gov and writing “Subscribe – Birmingham Bridge” in the subject line. Additionally, motorists can find information at http://birmingham.otmapgh.org/
Click here to read full WTAE synopsis of the project
03/06 2015

Round The Clock Pothole Blitz Tue 3/10 – Fri 3/13

The City of Pittsburgh will conduct an around-the-clock pothole blitz next week for three straight days beginning Tuesday night.

Weather permitting, Department of Public Works crews will begin filling potholes citywide starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, and finish at 6 p.m., Friday, March 13. Crews will work during night and day shifts for 72 hours, while also attending to rubbish and riverfront cleanup from storms and flooding this week.

Residents are encouraged to submit pothole repair requests to the City of Pittsburgh 311 Response Center. The “blitz” efforts will be based on 311 submissions, as well as problem areas identified by Public Works supervisors.

Please note that to effectively dispatch repairs 311 needs as many details as possible on pothole locations, such as addresses, intersections, block numbers, or landmarks.

All calls to 311 are answered by a live operator from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondaythrough Friday. In the City of Pittsburgh, dial 3-1-1. Outside of Pittsburgh, call 412-255-2621. Voice or text messages can be submitted by dialing or texting 412-573-9736. Online submissions can be sent at any time via Twitter to @Pgh311 or the online form on the city website: http://pittsburghpa.gov/311/form.

03/05 2015

Pot Holes And Deteriorated Roads

With the bad weather and increased salt use, more potholes and general deterioration will be developing.  Early next week the temperatures are expected to be above 40 degrees for a few days and will allow DPW to do some badly needed road patching, so if you are aware of any potholes, make sure to report them by either calling 3-1-1 or using the online form at http://pittsburghpa.gov/311/form
It is also approaching that time of year that the city will be evaluating roads that need to be repaved, so mentioning that in any report, or filing a separate report for that would be a good idea.
03/05 2015

City Still Seeking Volunteer Help For Boards, Authorities & Commissions

(March 2, 2015) Roles are still open for volunteers interested in neighborhood issues such as building codes, disruptive properties and water bills, and for preservationists who can help oversee the City’s archives.
Last month the Peduto administration announced openings for several volunteer roles in City boards, authorities and commissions. Interest has been high in the positions, but the City is still seeking more applicants for the following:
  • Building Code Board of Appeals
  • Commission on City Archives
  • Disruptive Property Appeals Board
  • Water Exoneration Hearing Board
They are among the openings on nine bodies, all of which are listed here on the City website. Links for each group describe the volunteer roles and whether city residency or professional certificates are required for the positions.
Click here to read for article and apply for positions
03/05 2015

AmeriCorps VISTA 50th Anniv & Be My Neighbor Day 3/21 & 22

For the AmeriCorps VISTA 50th Anniversary, servePGH is partnering with The United Way of Allegheny County to support the 2nd annual Be My Neighbor Day. Please join us in celebrating the incredible legacy of AmeriCorps VISTA by serving hand in hand with our community members!
 
Be My Neighbor Day was started in part to honor Fred Rogers and provide a place where kids and families can learn about acts of kindness and participate in activities that benefit our community. 
 
This event will take place on March 21 & 22nd at several YMCAs across Allegheny County. Volunteers are needed to help lead activities for kids and families at local YMCAs to promote kindness and generosity. Families also have the opportunity to meet Daniel the Tiger. 
Click here for full article, contact and signup info
03/04 2015

Welcoming Pgh Community Mtgs, 5 Locs/Dates in March – RSVP Required

The Office of Mayor Peduto and the Welcoming Pittsburgh Advisory Council will turn a listening ear to Pittsburgh residents during five meetings at sites around the city this month. Details below. Hope to see you there!
  
Who Should Attend?

Do you want to see Pittsburgh grow to become a more diverse and welcoming city? Are you passionate about improving the city for our immigrant population? Are you dedicated to making the city more livable for all? Are you actively involved in working with immigrants? Are you an immigrant who is active in the community or who runs a small business? We’re seeking leaders and connectors to join us – whether you’re an immigrant or just new to the city, or a lifelong Pittsburgher, you should attend!
RSVP here today.
To RSVP by phone: 412 – 256 – 8441

03/03 2015

Hearing On Proposed Zoning Code Change Re Agriculture Use – Tue 3/24 2pm

pdf icon Urban-Ag-Changes.pdf

PUBLIC HEARING
Proposed Zoning Code Text Amendment
Land Use Control File No. C-782
Agriculture and Urban Agriculture
The Planning Commission has initiated a Zoning Code Text amendment related to Urban Agriculture. The amendment is proposing to:
  • expand the allowable zoning districts and use classifications for all types of
  • amend and supplement the use standards for all types of Agriculture and
  • add definitions to supplement Agriculture and Urban Agriculture
A copy of the proposed text amendment may be reviewed at the Zoning Office on the 3rd floor of 200 Ross St., Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. or online at  www.pittsburghpa.gov/dcp/notices
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed text amendments
Tuesday, March 24, 2015 @ 2:00 p.m.
John P. Robin Civic Building, 1st Floor
200 Ross Street, Pittsburgh PA
Testimony presented by individuals will be limited to three minutes each. In addition, any
person who intends to testify on behalf of an organization such as a chamber of commerce, community club, etc., shall provide a “Letter of Authorization” from the appropriate duly appointed officers before testifying. Prepared comments, statistics or
reports in printed form may be presented to the Commission to support testimony or in lieu of testimony. (Interpreters for the hearing impaired will be provided with 4 days notice by contacting Richard Meritzer at 412-255-2102.) You may call 412-255-2241 if
03/03 2015

Home Share Summit – Cathedral Of Learning – Wed 3/18 3-4:30pm

pdf icon Home-Share-Program.pdfInline image 1
Save the Date for the Home Share Summit
Wednesday, March 18, 2015, 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Social Work Conference Center
Cathedral of Learning, Room 2017
Organized by Hartford Partnership Program for Aging Education
University of Pittsburgh MSW Students

To attend, please RSVP to: Breann Farrier at bnf11@pitt.edu by Tuesday, March 10th

Home Share Program
Speaker: Janet Hunko, LMSW
Director at UMHS Housing Bureau for Seniors*, Ann Arbor, MI
The Home-Sharing movement is an innovative community response to help older adults age at home, retaining the highest level of independence possible while simultaneously promoting intergenerational living and mutual support. Such programs promote shared housing among older adults and between older adults and younger members of the community, often university students. This Home Share Summit explores the potential benefits of Home-Sharing through a presentation about a successful program in Michigan followed by a brief Q & A and a discussion of the possibilities and opportunities in the Pittsburgh area. Please join us if you are interested in learning more about this model and meeting others who are also interested in the possibility of bringing it to the Pittsburgh area.

*The Housing Bureau for Seniors is a community supported program of University of Michigan Health System

02/18 2015

Research Survey On Why People Do And Don’t Garden In South Oakland

​In order to better understand the food gardening habits and barriers to gardening in South Oakland, research is being conducted as part of a community-based project through the University of Pittsburgh Honors College to understand gardening habits in South Oakland to determine why people do, and don’t garden. If barriers are identified, this project aims to connect residents to gardening resources. We are asking residents to fill out a 5 minute anonymous survey (link below and available on SouthOaklandPgh.org). Thank you for your time and consideration!

In the very near future, in-person surveys (approx 15 min) will be taken of both avid gardeners, at Frazier Farms, home gardens or otherwise, and those who don’t, and why for more in depth analysis.  The surveys should be done by March 10th, but may extend a few weeks if not enough surveys are completed.  The data analysis and report will be done by the end of April. If the results clearly identify a problem that could be addressed, the student will try to coordinate an event or program sometime in May to try and help people in the community who need help to start gardening!

If you know anyone that is interested in participating please use the link below, or have them contact SONG,​either call or text  or print out the attached flyers to hand out.

Thanks!
Click here to take the survey​

Central Page with Research Project Links

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pdf icon GardenFlyer2015.pdf

02/17 2015

Skyvue Development (3333 Forbes) Update 2/17

Skyvue Development Update: 2/17/2015 

Schedule Update

  • Currently working on excavation, shoring & caissons through Spring 2015
  • Steel & plank will be set from Spring 2015 through Winter of 2016
  • Installation of building skin and interior work will begin in Summer 2015

Lane Closures

  • Massaro will be utilizing the parking lane on Forbes Avenue (between Craft & Halket) for the duration of the project. This will allow safe entry and exit of delivery vehicles to and from the project site.
  • Pedestrian access will be closed on project side of Fifth and Forbes for the duration of the project between Craft & Halket.

 

You can search the website for other posts about this project.
Click here for the previous post on this project