January 2008
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GRANTS l Civic Design Grant Launched
In 2008 the Design Fund will pilot its first-ever Civic Design grant. This grant will support up to $50,000 with a 100% match required. As with current Design Fund guidelines, this new grant will support planning and architectural design, and its purpose is to support one project annually that will impact multiple neighborhoods. While grants can only be awarded to 501(c)3 organizations, we encourage collaborative partnerships between community development organizations, government agencies, and private developers. More information will be available at www.cdcp.org in February.
| Save These Dates!
Pedal Pittsburgh Pancake Breakfast
April 5, 2008
Pedal Pittsburgh
May 18, 2008 Pittsburgh Design Fair for House & Garden
September 2008 | PARTNERSHIP l Duquesne Light Introduces Power of Light Program Duquesne Light recently launched a new program called Power of Light aimed at providing free lighting to projects in neighborhoods within Duquesne Light's service area. Grants will be offered to charitable or neighborhood-oriented projects, focusing on illuminating landmarks, recreational lighting and projects that enhance the quality of life by promoting safety and security. Duquesne Light has partnered with the CDCP to help identify projects which best fit the program's goals. To learn more about the Power of Light program or to apply, visit Duquesne Light's website.
ADVOCACY l Design Community Testifies for Public Engagement
Representatives of the design community advocated for meaningful, participatory, and inclusive decision-making at the Planning Commission Public Hearing on January 14. On behalf of the Pittsburgh Civic Design Coalition (PCDC), Anne-Marie Lubenau, chair of the PCDC, presented testimony on the new arena, emphasizing an engaged community process as a critical component of any quality civic design. As President & CEO of the CDCP she also testified on the Majestic Star Casino planning process, urging a more open public review. Court Gould, Executive Director of Sustainable Pittsburgh and PCDC representative, testified on the Majestic Star Casino planning, testified on the casino process as well. To read the full testimonies by the PCDC, click here. To read the testimony presented by Anne-Marie on behalf of the CDCP, click here.
SUPPORT l Two Foundations Award Grants to the CDCP
Both the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and Laurel Foundation awarded grants to the CDCP in December. Both grants will support our Civic Stewardship Expansion Project, an initiative launched in 2006 to expand the CDCP's education and advocacy efforts in order to lead local efforts to increase civic engagement and facilitate improvements in quality design and planning in Pittsburgh. We thank both foundations for their support of our efforts to encourage good design of the built environment. ON THE ROAD l Pittsburgh Indoor Outdoor Home Show The Pittsburgh Indoor Outdoor Home Show promises to offer a wide variety of information with approximately 350 vendors, including the RenPlanSM program. Held at the Pittsburgh ExpoMart in Monroeville, PA January 24-27, the Home Show will feature full scale, walk-through homes and the latest in home design, tips and techniques. RenPlanSM staff will host a booth on the 26th & 27th as guests of Home Design Magazine. Volunteers from the RenPlanSM program will be on hand to talk to participants about their home renovation projects. Visit the Indoor Outdoor Home show's website for more information.
EDUCATION l Chatham University Partners with CDCP for Studio
As part of its Graduate School of Landscape Architecture, Chatham University is collaborating with the CDCP for the thrid consecutive year on its Community-Based Design Studio. Co-taught by Jason Vrabel, Design Fund Director, and Maria Riley of Klavon Design Associates, the class will focus on community engagement and participation. Sites on the Northside, Wilkinsburg, and the Hill District will be the focus of the student's efforts to provide real solutions to landscape design issues.
WELCOME l New RenPlanSM Coordinator The CDCP is pleased to announce that Kate McGlynn has joined the CDCP as the new RenPlanSM Program Coordinator. She recently relocated from Durham, New Hampshire, where she worked with the University of New Hampshire's Browne Center for Innovative Learning. Kate received both her undergraduate and Master's degrees from the University of New Hampshire. Please join us in welcoming Kate to our staff! CDCP IN THE NEWS
December 27: Gambling with Design, From the City Paper
January 15: Arena plans get go-ahead; Hill group still lobbying, From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
January 21: Home Products at Shows, From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | 
