Pittsburgh Green Innovators, a high-powered, sustainable collaborative, hopes to revive the
Connelley Center as a national center for cutting-edge, sustainable technology and research.
The Clifford B. Connelley Trade School is owned by Pittsburgh Public Schools who will make a final determination on whether to sell the center to the group. Considered a masterpiece of Classical Revival architectural, the center is on the
National Register.
The Penn State Center—Engaging Pittsburgh will be one of the largest tenants in the 230,000 square foot facility, using the second floor to conduct research that will link Penn State sustainable research with the greater Pittsburgh region, says Deno De Ciantis, director of the Penn State center.
“One of the unique strengths of the plan is it puts together a workforce development program that will go from high school, interface with union training and move into higher education for those students who wish to continue their education,” says De Ciantis. “It will be a beacon in the region for all things sustainable.”
In addition to developing the latest in sustainable technology, the project will serve as an incubator for green startup companies.
The stakeholders are many, beginning with State Sen. Jim Ferlo and U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle who hope to secure state and federal funding for the project.
Other members include the
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 95, the
Steinbrenner Institute for Environmental Education Research at Carnegie Mellon and the
Mascaro Sustainability Initiative at Pitt.
The Heinz Foundation and county have supported the project with pre-development funding. “We had to find a place that met a number of needs,” says Paul Svoboda, a spokesman for Sen. Ferlo’s office. “We’re working in good faith that we can make this happen."
To hear more about it, join De Ciantis for
Green Drinks at the
Arsenal Bowling Lanes on Friday, April 17th from 5 to 9 p.m.
To receive Pop City free each week, click
here.
Writer:
Debra Diamond SmitSource: Deno De Ciantis, Penn State Center—Engaging Pittsburgh
Image courtesy Mascaro