North Side : Development News

With the help of a $2 million grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, the National Aviary is closer to its goal of building the country's first indoor, year-round, free-flight bird theater.

To date, the Aviary has raised $15.7 million to support the $28.5 million project, which also includes upgrades and renovations to the organization’s existing facility, an education center and expanded programming.

The first-of-its-kind avian immersion theater will allow the North Side-based Aviary to offer free-flight bird presentations in an indoor setting that will feature rare and endangered birds from around the world, demonstrations of natural avian behaviors, and accompanying music, video, lighting, and educational messaging. Designed by St. Louis-based PGAV Architects, the 40,000-square-foot addition will feature a 284-seat theater and flexible classrooms. The expansion will also include new bird holding and exhibit areas, landscaping and pathways.

“This will be North America’s only indoor bird theater. The only available here status is extremely relevant to cultural tourism,” says Aviary CEO, Linda Dickerson. “It will be a compelling pull for tourists from around the country because we’ll be able to take visitors to the natural habitats of birds around the world. It’s an experience they’ll not be able to easily replicate.” Dickerson expects the new facility to double the Aviary’s paid attendance and operations.

The Aviary—which plans to break ground on the theater in 2009—is currently finalizing the project’s master plan. Design meetings with North Side stakeholders are addressing the project’s integration within Allegheny Commons Park. The Aviary, which has 2,200 members, also expects to add staff in conjunction with the expansion.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Linda Dickerson, CEO, National Aviary

Image courtesy The National Aviary

A number of businesses are breathing new life into the North Side’s East Ohio St. commercial district. Treasures—which specializes in handcrafted jewelry and leather goods—opens this week at 407 East Ohio St. in the turn-of-the-century Carlyle Building.

The 1,500-square-foot boutique features Brazilian flooring and a cream, burgundy, gold, and brown color scheme. Owner Karolyn Denson draws inspiration from her travels to Honolulu, Amsterdam, New York City, South Carolina, and Boston. “It’s a blending of ideas I’ve seen from my travels,” says Denson, who worked at a high-end bridal shop in Maryland, and studied clothing design at CMU and the Art Institute.

Denson—who received loans from the URA and Northside Community Development Fund—worked with building owner Morgan Kronk to remodel the shop and façade. “I’ve always wanted to have something that caters to the community,” adds Denson, who donates a percentage of her profits to a nonprofit she created to honor her grandparents. “My grandmother lived in Manchester and taught me to sew when I was three. She was a milliner who made Sunday church hats.” Treasures also hosts exhibitions, readings, live music, and children’s art programs.

Working with a jeweler in India, Denson brings in rings, necklaces, bracelets, and belly rings from around the world. Treasures also carries Murano and Millefiori glasswork from Venice, silver pieces from Bangkok, leather apparel, and laptop bags. Jewelry prices range from $8 to $3,000, while leather items sell for between $10 and $500.

Also new to East Ohio St. business is the 3,000-square-foot 18-hour Mom’s Daycare and Nails Today. In June, the corridor will launch a new monthly gallery night.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Karolyn Denson, Treasures

Photograph copyright Brian Cohen

Development Capital Investors, Inc. (DCI) has received $7 million to fund commercial, industrial and mixed-use projects in underserved Southwestern Pennsylvania communities, including blighted areas, Keystone Innovation Zones and brownfields.

Part of Building PA—a $150 million state fund that must be matched by private investors and foundations—the initiative provides “mezzanine” capital, or gap financing, to developers revitalizing existing buildings. The funding to DCI was the largest of last week’s awards.

“Our focus is on providing equity that not only generates income, but also creates jobs and benefits local economies,” says Tad Imbrie, with DCI, which has provided assistance to the Cork Factory and Bridgeside Point II and is seeking state support for Bakery Square. “Without innovative tax structures and DCED programs, these projects wouldn’t move forward. Bridgeside was one of the country's earliest brownfield sites, and was instrumental in creating what’s there today.”

In other brownfield news, five Southwestern Pennsylvania communities received $1.75 million from the EPA to help to revitalize former industrial and commercial sites. Recipients include the Pittsburgh North Side Industrial Development Co., Washington County Authority, Cambria County Redevelopment Authority, Johnstown Redevelopment Authority, and Clearfield County Economic Development Corp.

"Each of these grants is the result of a true partnership among
government at all levels, private sector lenders and developers, and
members of the community,” says Donald Welsh, with the EPA. “Cleaning up contaminated sites is now easier and faster. The possibilities of reuse are endless. Former brownfield sites in the Mid-Atlantic region are now new homes, businesses, schools, municipal facilities, stadiums, parks, and riverfront promenades."

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Sources: Tad Imbrie, Development Capital Investors, Inc.; Donald Welsh, EPA Regional Administrator, Mid-Atlantic Region

Image courtesy USEPA - Region 3

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP) is set to start its newest building project.

On May 7 at 6 p.m., the CLP will share final designs for its new North Side library during a free public presentation at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh. Slated to open in 2009, the new $4.2 million facility will be located at 1210 Federal St. on the site of a former Sunoco gas station on Pittsburgh’s North Side. A groundbreaking ceremony is set for May 9 at 9 a.m.

The one-story facility was designed by Loysen + Kreuthmeier Architects to complement the street line, echo the surrounding architecture and retain the look and feel of a two-story structure. A contractor will be announced in May. The 15,005-square-foot library—which will seek LEED certification—will feature meeting and reading rooms, a teen section, free Wi-Fi, and a dedicated and accessible children’s area. The building will also include an outdoor children’s terrace for craft and storytime activities.
 
The library’s signature feature—which was based on community feedback—will be the Allegheny City Room, which will showcase the neighborhood’s historical collections. “Karen Loysen did a fabulous job incorporating the community's input,” says Suzanne Thiness, with CLP. “It’s a great place for us to be. Hopefully we can spur economic development in that area.”

The CLP’s Allegheny branch closed in April 2007 after lightning struck the historic structure’s clock tower. Last month, the URA approved the transfer of the Federal St. parcel to the CLP. The project was presented to City Council during a public hearing in December 2007.
 
The CLP’s new Hill District library will open in September.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Suzanne Thiness, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Image courtesy Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

New Hope Café 'n' Creamery is transforming Marshall-Shadeland one scoop of gelato at a time.

Housed within a former nuisance bar at 2700 Shadeland Ave. on Pittsburgh’s North Side, the renovated café is a project of New Hope for Neighborhood Renewal (NHNR), the Evangelical Presbyterian Church’s community development arm.

Located near Mann Elementary School on a once drug-addled corner, the café is now a family-friendly gathering spot. “It’s become a redeeming part of the neighborhood,” says Deb Gumpf, with NHNR. “We're hoping it’s a catalyst for other good things to happen.”

Specializing in Zelienople-based Beecher's gourmet gelato and java—the
1,300-square-foot café seats 30 and features free Wi-Fi, and carries Loafers breads. The turn-of-the-century property—which NHNR purchased for $105,000—features an original wood bar and tin ceiling, new windows and a colorful palette. The project received $8,700 from the William B. McLaughlin Charitable Trust for equipment.

“We hope to be self-supporting within three years. Maybe in five, it’s a venture that puts money back into our youth programming,” adds Gumpf.

NHNR—which rehabilitates duplexes and builds townhomes in Marshall-Shadeland—also remodeled the property’s upper floors, which it leases to Allegheny Youth Development. “We’re supporting the growth of their business, which feeds back into their mission,” says Katherine Harrell with Social Innovation Accelerator, which added NHNR to its portfolio. “It’s a great turnaround story—it’s changed the look and feel of the entire neighborhood.”

New Hope’s grand opening is April 26.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Sources: Deb Gumpf, NHNR; Katherine Harrell, Social Innovation Accelerator

Photograph copyright Brian Cohen

Move over meter maids, there’s a creative new use for parking spaces.

On April 24, the Office of Public Art, Community Design Center of Pittsburgh and Riverlife will host a free brainstorming session for National PARK(ing) Day. Conceived in 2005 by San Francisco-based art collective REBAR and sponsored by The Trust for Public Land, PARK(ing) Day is an annual global event that invites artists, activists and citizens to transform parking spots into temporary public parks.

During the meeting—which takes place at 6:00p.m. at the Brew House Association—participants will rethink how streets are used, discuss ways to get involved with the event’s Pittsburgh debut, view project examples, and examine the initiative’s relevance to issues facing local communities. “It’s most effective when people see images. We’ll cultivate ideas to see how many people want to get involved and where next steps go—like working with the city on permits,” says Emily Craig, with Riverlife, who hopes to develop partnerships with local universities.

In Pittsburgh, PARK(ing) Day will coincide with a Land Trust Alliance rally on September 19, when five Convention Center parking spaces will become public park sites Downtown.

In other green space news, the final wayfinding sign for the city’s 22-mile riverfront trail network was unveiled on April 21.  The 89 trail-finding signs—supported by a $52,000 Federal Transportation Enhancement Grant—direct cyclists and trail-goers to trail entrances and motorists to free trail-head parking. Signs also direct cyclists from Schenley to Frick Parks.

The circular shaped signs were designed via a collaborative public/private partnership between the city, Friends of the Riverfront and Riverlife. Advocacy group Bike Pittsburgh on sign placement.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Emily Craig, Riverlife

Pre-sales for Federal Hill, a long-awaited housing initiative on Pittsburgh’s North Side, have begun.

Developed by the Central Northside Neighborhood Council (CNNC) and S&A Homes, the $15 million three-phase project will include 60 new three-story homes. Construction on the first phase will begin within five weeks.

“It’s going to mean an incredible change. The area will suddenly be a boulevard instead of being blighted,” says Joan Kimmel, with the CNNC, who along with neighborhood residents began planning the homes 10 years ago and worked collaboratively with Rothschild Doyno Architects. "Having those houses parading up the street is going to transform the area. People won’t will feel the same about the North Side."

The first phase's 23 units will be constructed along the 1300 block of Federal St. right near the area's North Ave. corridor, which is slated for redevelopment. Four unit styles, including the Jacksonian and Jeffersonian, will reflect the neighborhood’s traditional town homes. Three-bedroom homes ranging in size from 1,430 to 2,350 square feet will feature off-street parking, modern amenities, rear yards, and deck or porch options. Prices range from $130,000 to $230,000.

“You can’t find a new home for that price that anywhere, especially with the URA’s second mortgage deferment program,” says Robert Iseman, with S&A Homes. “We already have eighty-four interested people."

Part of a larger revitalization effort that includes residential, retail and offices, Federal Hill will also feature a new tree-lined median strip and streetscape improvements. Homes will be located within walking distance to the new Allegheny Branch of Carnegie Library, museums, Downtown and Allegheny Commons Park.

For sales information, go here.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Sources: Joan Kimmel, CNNC; Robert Iseman, S&A Homes

Image courtesy Rothschild Doyno Architects

Eleven low-income housing projects received a total of $3.3 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank) on April 7.

The affordable housing grants will fund the construction or rehabilitation of 604 much-needed units located throughout the city and region. The projects are being spearheaded by sponsors who will also assist with serving homeless, elderly and mentally and physical disabled populations.

“Our grants are allocated each year through two competitive funding cycles. These projects target lower income households and individuals, meet our priorities and are financially viable, and show the capacity to build in a timely manner,” says John Bendel, with FHLBank. “This makes a broad range of housing available. Some are part of a community development process larger than the project itself. Physical improvements and good solid structures can make a positive change and impact everything around them.”

Among the recipients is the 85-year-old Centre Ave. YMCA located in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, which is adding 20 rooms and renovating 77 existing units. In Pittsburgh, housing and mixed-use projects were also funded in Lawrenceville, East Liberty and on the North Side. Housing and community development projects were also funded in Braddock, East Hills, New Brighton, and Clairton.

Crossroads Meadow, a 51-unit 3.58-acre project in Ebensburg, will feature 10 one- and two-story properties. As part of the Homeowner Rehabilitation Program, ten homes in Allegheny County will undergo substantial structural and aesthetic improvements. Hosanna Industries will use fund to develop 100 homes for low-income families in Allegheny and Butler counties.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: John Bendel, Director of Community Investment, FHLBank

Image courtesy Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh’s North Shore Riverfront Park will soon be home to a new city overlook that will feature a bronze statue of the late Fred Rogers, a redesigned bridge pier and a Neighborhood of Make-Believe platform.

Funded by a $4 million gift from the Colcom Foundation, the Tribute to Children project, which encompasses the abandoned Manchester Bridge pier, will feature a 10-foot bronze statue of Mister Rogers in a seated position and tying his shoe, a 96-foot platform patterned after the Mister Rogers' Neighborhood studio floor, and a keyhole pier design that will provide views of the statue, river and city skyline.

Family Communications, Inc., the company created by Fred Rogers in 1971, received an initial gift from Mrs. Cordelia S. May to commission a bronze statue of Rogers created by internationally renowned sculptor Robert Berks, who is known for his statues of Albert Einstein, John F. Kennedy, and former Pittsburgh mayor Richard Caligiuri.

“Fred was someone who really focused on the commitment we have to make as adults to children. This puts a visible monument right in the center of the city that says that as a community we have to focus on children,” says Bill Isler, with Family Communications, Inc., which donated the site under the auspices of the Sports & Exhibition Authority. “It’s in a very prominent place on the North Side, and is a place to concentrate on your own—a place for imagination and creativity.”

Project architect is Astorino; construction will begin during the next few weeks. The project is expected to be unveiled during the fall of 2008, in conjunction with Pittsburgh 250.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Bill Isler, president, Family Communications, Inc.

Image courtesy Astorino

A new much-needed science facility at The Community College of Allegheny County’s (CCAC) Allegheny Campus will be larger than previously expected. The building, which had been approved as a three-story $14.5 million project, will instead feature four floors and cost $17.4 million.

The 64,000-square-foot facility, which will be located off of Ridge Ave., will house biology, chemistry, geology, and physics laboratories, as well as classrooms, lecture halls and offices. Hayes Large Architects is designing the facility. Construction will begin in 2009. On March 6, CCAC’s board of trustees authorized a $22.04 million bond issue for the project.
 
“Our science labs are thirty-five years old in a building that was once a theological seminary. They’re outmoded and short of the number of stations needed,” says Bob Hamilton, with CCAC. “The sciences are up considerably, and the delivery of teaching has changed. The space will be wired for computers and designed for group instruction.” Preliminary designs call for a LEED-certified, energy-efficient building.

Between 2000 and 2007, health program enrollment at CCAC’s Allegheny Campus increased by 114 percent, and enrollment in the sciences doubled. “We’re a very career-oriented college. We need to prepare students with the latest and greatest technologies,” adds Helen Kaiser, with CCAC, who says the campus' current labs are housed with an 85-year-old building. “Pittsburgh is a hotbed for health care professions so it fits in very well with our mission. The facility will see good full-time use.”

CCAC is currently undertaking a $250,000 institution-wide master plan led by Perkins Eastman, and completing a $6 million infrastructure improvement project on all four of its area campuses. The project includes exterior upgrades, ADA compliance and classroom and technology upgrades.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Bob Hamilton and Helen Kaiser, CCAC

Image courtesy CCAC

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), in partnership with the PA Department of Community and Economic Development and the City, have awarded $402,500 in Mainstreets Pittsburgh funds to twelve neighborhood business districts.

Funds must be used to support activities that revitalize local business districts, stimulate economic growth and impact targeted areas via measurable criteria. Mainstreets districts are also eligible for technical assistance provided by the URA, PA Downtown Center, Community Design Center of Pittsburgh, and Community Technical Assistance Center.

“The six-year program moves communities from reliance on public funding to a more diverse funding structure, so they can become more self-sustaining through a variety of mechanisms,” says Megan Stearman, with the URA. “Neighborhoods are selected because of their readiness—they have existing organizations in place, can steward new programs and have been through community planning.”
 
Grants will support community events in Hazelwood, marketing efforts in the West End, a visioning plan in Mt. Washington, and the Clean, Green & Screen initiative in Friendship. “Many neighborhoods are thinking about the built environment in terms of crime prevention,” says Stearman. “The South Side is managing the success they’ve had, and Lawrenceville is in the unique position to learn from that.” South Side and Lawrenceville—both in the final phase of Mainstreets—are launching neighborhood beautification strategies.

As the URA’s new Mainstreets Pittsburgh coordinator, Josette Fitzgibbons will manage relationships with district awardees and funders, and develop educational programs for neighborhood organizations and businesses. Since 2002, Mainstreets districts have stimulated $94 million in total investment, recruited 558 new businesses and created 3,200 new jobs.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Megan Stearman, URA

Image courtesy Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh

Cutting-edge contemporary art is just one reason to visit the world-renowned Mattress Factory museum on Pittsburgh’s North Side.

On Feb. 21—evoking its origins as a vegetarian co-op and community gathering spot—the Mattress Factory will serve up creative fare in its new BoxSpring Café, located at 500 Sampsonia Way. With seating for 50 patrons, the 800-square-foot café is located adjacent to the museum’s 400-square-foot shop, which carries hip design-oriented wares, such as belt buckles and purses constructed from recycled children’s book covers. An art-infused ambiance features subdued lighting, free Wi-Fi and design accents like a black granite counter outlined in red neon.

Vegan and vegetarian friendly, BoxSpring will serve selections created by chef Rich Rosenthal of M Catering, including wraps and salads, a weekly soup, flatbread pizza, and quesadillas. With seventeen years of epicurean experience, chef Rich launched his career at The Carlton, was managing chef at Café Azure, and studied at Napa Valley-based Culinary Institute of America at Greystone. A new spring menu will feature fruit smoothies, coffee frappes and baked goods by Vanilla Pastry Studio.

“It’s a very open, comfortable feel,” says Catena Bahneman, with the Mattress Factory. “It’s a really nice space for events, with the patio in good weather. We’re already booked for bridal showers.” BoxSpring will soon feature placemats and photographs featuring works by resident artists. In April, BoxSpring will host the museum’s new “Third Thursdays” dinner and performance program.  

BoxSpring's opening party takes place on Feb. 21 at 7:00 p.m. Sample bites, enjoy live acoustic music and complementary wine, and watch a cooking demonstration by chef Rich.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Catena Bahneman, Mattress Factory

Image courtesy Mattress Factory

Perkins Eastman has been selected to develop a number of key master and community plans at home and abroad.

The firm will create a comprehensive facilities master plan for Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) that will address the institution’s four campuses, six centers and administrative offices. The system-wide project includes a ten-month evaluation of enrollment and teaching trends. Perkins Eastman will also assist CCAC with filing an EMI zoning plan for its Allegheny campus. "Our role is assessing how they're using space programmatically on all of their campuses," says Alan Schlossberg, with Perkins Eastman. Pennsylvania's largest community college, CCAC operates 1.4 million square feet of space and serves 13,500 students.

In East Liberty, Perkins Eastman will develop a “green vision” plan that is expected to guide ongoing development and investment. “Every local community has a role to play in regional well-being. It's a process that brings together ELDI, the community and a number of organizations working throughout the city, to create a more healthy and sustainable environment, with the idea that such an ambitious goal will have tremendous impact as a model and require the coordinated efforts of many different entities," says Stefani Danes, with Perkins Eastman.

On the global front, Perkins Eastman will create a community plan for a 1,136-acre site in Orenburg, Russia. "A new generation of people who have grown up in a non-Soviet society are looking at housing options. This will be a model of a new kind of neighborhood that uses best practices from this country to combine affordability, sustainability and livability,” adds Danes, who says Orenburg needs alternatives to existing high-rise housing.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Stefani Danes, Alan Schlossberg and Lori Miller, Perkins Eastman

Image courtesy Perkins Eastman

The PA Department of Community and Economic Development has released $200,000 to fund The Strategic Community Planning in Pittsburgh Project, the city’s first comprehensive and coordinated plan.

To identify common strengths, challenges and issues, more effectively allocate limited resources and jumpstart neighborhood improvements, the project will combine the city’s 90 neighborhoods into 16 sectors. Next steps will involve gathering data such as population, physical conditions and amenities, in order to create a snapshot of Pittsburgh's 90 neighborhoods.

“It’s the first of its kind, and will be phased out over four years. We need to work toward a common goal and vision. This has been expressed by a lot of community groups,” says city planning director Noor Ismail.

A consortium of government agencies, technical assistance providers, and foundations will conduct studies to ascertain best scenarios for community development. Neighborhood stakeholders will develop a vision for individual sectors, so that business districts, parks and transportation corridors are used more effectively. The plan will also address infrastructure, economic development, housing, and mixed-use and conservation projects.

“A lot of other parallel planning efforts will feed into this—there needs to be some streamlining. For example, infrastructure does not end in one neighborhood. We need to look at wider areas,” adds Ismail, citing the city’s new bike-pedestrian and ADA efforts. “We’re an older built-out city. There’s a connotation that planning is not necessary anymore but it’s tied into quality of life.”

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Noor Ismail, Pittsburgh planning director

Image courtesy Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

The PA Department of Community and Economic Development has released $200,000 to fund The Strategic Community Planning in Pittsburgh Project, the city’s first comprehensive and coordinated plan.

To identify common strengths, challenges and issues, more effectively allocate limited resources and jumpstart neighborhood improvements, the project will combine the city’s 90 neighborhoods into 16 sectors. Next steps will involve gathering data about population, physical conditions and amenities, in order to create a snapshot of the 90 neighborhoods.

“It’s the first of its kind, and will be phased out into four years. We need to work toward a common goal and vision. This need has been expressed by a lot of community groups,” says city planning director Noor Ismail.

A consortium of government agencies, technical assistance providers, and foundations will conduct studies to ascertain best scenarios for community development. Neighborhood stakeholders will develop a vision for individual sectors, so that business districts, parks and transportation corridors are used more effectively. The plan will also address infrastructure, economic development, housing, and mixed-use and conservation projects.

“A lot of other parallel planning efforts will feed into this—there needs to be some streamlining. For example, infrastructure does not end in one neighborhood. We need to look at wider areas,” adds Ismail, citing the city’s new bike-pedestrian and ADA efforts. “We’re an older built-out city. There’s a connotation that planning is not necessary anymore but it’s tied into quality of life.”

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Noor Ismail, Pittsburgh planning director


Image courtesy Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development