A major urban waterfront effort is underway along the Allegheny River.
Master planning for the redevelopment of the Allegheny Riverfront was kicked off last week at a former industrial site located at 62nd and Butler Sts. in
Lawrenceville. The comprehensive effort—designed to reconnect the river with surrounding neighborhoods—represents a partnership between the
Department of City Planning,
Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and
Riverlife.
Once home to Tippins International Inc., the 21-acre complex—which sat vacant until the URA purchased and demolished the property this year—the former steel site is now ready for development.
A consultant team led by
Perkins Eastman has begun a $350,000 visioning process for a 6.45-mile segment of the riverfront which stretches from the convention center to
Highland Park, and includes a small under-developed section of the river’s northwest bank.
“The process is arranged to be very transparent and participatory. It’s a level of focus and community involvement that sets a great precedent for future planning,” says Lisa Schroeder, with Riverlife. “The very comprehensive nature of this process will connect the global thinking that came through the vision plan for Pittsburgh’s riverfronts to currents needs and wants of residential and commercial constituents along the river and to state-of-the-art environmental technologies for reclaiming and greening urban lands.”
The 12-month project will create linkages between the river and Downtown, become a precedent for other riverfront communities and serve as a key amenity for future development. Throughout 2009, community members will participate in design discussions, public meetings and recreational opportunities, including kayaking, biking, Dragon Boat, and urban hike activities. The first public meeting will occur in July.
The planning team also includes
Urbanomics,
GSP Consulting,
Cahill Associates,
Viridian Landscape Studio, Continental Conservation,
Trans Associates, and
Clear View Strategies. The project will be incorporated into the City’s comprehensive riverfront master plan, slated for completion in 2010.
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Jennifer BaronSource: Lisa Schroeder, executive director, Riverlife; Megan Stearman, Public Information Officer/Mainstreets Pittsburgh Development Specialist, Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh
Image courtesy Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh