A business district vision plan calling for redevelopment projects, capital improvements and landscape enhancements was adopted by the
Mt. Washington Community Development Corporation (MWCDC) board on March 6.
Targeting Shiloh St. and portions of Southern, Virginia, Boggs, and Bailey Aves., the plan links divided segments of the district through signage, streetscape design and new construction on key parcels. Completed during an extensive public review process, the plan incorporates new parking areas, traffic calming measures and pedestrian safety efforts, and envisions a gateway at the intersection of Shiloh and Grandview Ave.
“We wanted to create a blueprint to guide development into the heart of our neighborhood, transforming the business district into a popular tourist destination that’s just an incline ride away from
Station Square and Downtown,” says Greg Panza, with MWCDC. “This is the community’s plan. It was encouraging to see large groups engaged together in the process with developers, business owners and residents.”
Panza points to sweeping city views and one million annual tourists as key motivations for stimulating business district development strategies. Calling the participants a “dream team,” Panza says that project collaborators
The Community Design Center of Pittsburgh, which funded the plan via a $10,000 grant, helped to guide the vision.
Managed by
Pashek Associates, the plan is Mt. Washington’s first comprehensive main street vision. The vision enhances the needs of the district in a way that is aesthetically pleasing and environmentally responsible as well,” adds Panza, who says the plan complements the
Scenic Byway Park which encircles Mt. Washington.This spring, the MWCDC will revitalize a Shiloh St. parklet, create a new parking plaza and raise funds to support hardscape improvements.
To download the MWCDC’s vision plan, business recruitment package and available property list, go
here.
Writer:
Jennifer BaronSource: Greg Panza, MWCDC
Image courtesy MWCDC