PLANNING l Pittsburgh Develops Market Value Analysis Tool
Each of Pittsburgh’s 90 neighborhoods has a special and singular charm. From a community planning and development perspective, each also has unique needs. The Market Value Analysis (MVA) is a tool that uses market data to classify geographical areas – in this case, Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods. The City of Pittsburgh, through a grant from the Surdna Foundation, is mapping the varying market types within the City clustering similar characteristics such as housing units, sales price, vacancy rates, green space, etc. This information will assist communities to develop more effective revitalization strategies that are consistent with current market forces. Click here for more information.
Civic Design
Design Fund Grant August 1st
Application
Deadline
PILOT l Program to Assist Communities with Historic Properties in Jeopardy
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) and Preservation Pennsylvania have retained the CDCP to manage a pilot project designed to assist Certified Local Government (CLG) municipalities with their historic properties. CLGs are municipalities that have both ordinances and review bodies supporting historic review/preservation; there are 39 CLG’s in the state. The PHMC and Preservation PA selected the central Pennsylvania towns of Hollidaysburg, Gettysburg, and York for the pilot program, which is scheduled to begin this month. The CDCP’s Jason Vrabel and Tara Merenda will help these cities build an infrastructure of architectural and technical support, assist in determining their immediate architectural needs, investigate types of available funding, and develop a menu of services such as code analysis, cost estimates, façade rendering, streetscape, lighting, signage, and other tools needed to enhance their historic properties.
ADVOCACY | Public Hearing on Grant Street Transportation Center Billboard
The Zoning Board of Adjustments (ZBA) will hold a public hearing on the controversial digital billboard proposed for the Grant Street Transportation Center at 10 am on Thursday, July 24th at 200 Ross Street. Pre-registration is not required, but the ZBA requests no redundant testimony. For more information, call 412.255.2231.
UPDATE l Grow Pittsburgh and Allegheny Commons Design Fund Grant in Action
Significant progress has been made on two projects funded by Design Fund grants awarded in December 2007. The North Side Leadership Conference received a $10,000 Design Fund Grant to hire Pashek Associates to evaluate the East Allegheny Commons pilot project before beginning improvements to the rest of the Commons. Review of lighting, garbage receptacles, and seating were part of the recently-completed evaluation process. Grow Pittsburgh, an urban farming initiative that uses the Frick Estate's Victorian greenhouse as a growing site, secured a 5-year lease on a vacant lot in nearby Point Breeze. Its $4,000 Design Fund grant was used to hire Burt Hill to design site improvements that will turn the highly-visible site into a welcoming community amenity. Design options include seating areas, public art, and a farm stand.
GREENSPACE | PARK(ing) Day Coming to Pittsburgh
PARK(ing) Day is a national advocacy movement to highlight the need for more green spaces in urban communities by creating temporary parks in metered parking spaces. The CDCP, Office of Public Art, and Riverlife Task Force are partnering to engage Pittsburgh’s design, arts, and non-profit communities in planning for a Friday, September 19 event in Pittsburgh. To involve your organization, contact Emily at Riverlife Task Force by emailing emily@riverlifetaskforce.org or calling 412.258.6636.
CDCP Celebrates 40 Years of Promoting Good Design in Pittsburgh's Neighborhoods
mission The Community Design Center of Pittsburgh (CDCP) is a non-profit organization that improves quality of life by encouraging good design of the built environment. By 2015, our goal is to establish Pittsburgh as a recognized place where good design of the built environment is a defining feature.
