The owner of four buildings on Second Street in Elizabeth Borough began working with CDCP Design Fund-qualified architectural firms through Allegheny Restores - a project of the Allegheny County Economic Development's Allegheny Together program. Launched to assist businesses and property owners in walkable business districts, the project initially included four pilot communities - Elizabeth, Stowe, Swissvale, and Tarentum - and expanded to include Bridgeville and Verona.The CDCP joined project partners Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation and Town Center Associates in supporting the Allegheny Together program to encourage well-planned, well-designed and targeted investment; along with respect for the unique history, character, and built environment in the established commercial districts of Allegheny County.
GRANT l Union Project Continues Facility Improvements
In May, the Union Project was awarded an $8,000 Design Fund grant to support landscape design for the building's currently underused side yard. This project will transform the area into a community green space that will provide additional space for the organization as well as increase public safety. The Union Project will use the re-designed side yard as outdoor space for its Café and as rentable space for events. This marks the second time the Design Fund has awarded funding to the Union Project.
In 2002, the Union Project received $12,000 from the CDCP to support preliminary design for renovating the formerly abandoned Union Baptist Church into a gathering and working space for artists, community builders, and people of faith. Since then, the Union Project has embarked on a capital campaign raising $1.6 million to date for building renovations and community development that benefit City residents.
VOLUNTEERS l RenPlan® Celebrates and Expands
The third annual RenPlan® Program Consultant Appreciation Event was held on June 11 at Franklin Interiors in the Strip District. This event celebrated the dedicated volunteer consultants who contribute to the success of the program. More than 40 design professionals and CDCP staff were on hand to recognize this year's honorees:
Mark McKenzie for Rookie of the Year
Fred Swiss received the Boomerang Award,
Heather Wildman-Figley received the Excellence in Consulting Award
Jody Schurman, RA LEED® AP, was recognized for his Commitment to Service.
The RenPlan® Commercial Program also continues to expand successfully. A focus group of network partners met on June 5 to discuss the development of a series of workshops. This educational series will be offered to commercial property owners and businesses as part of the RenPlan® Commercial program. The goal of these workshops will be to assist businesses in understanding key issues around pre-design planning for new space, financing space improvements and build-outs, and comprehending commercial real estate transactions.
EDUCATION l Local Pittsburgh Planners Gather at CDCP
On June 5, representatives from the City of Pittsburgh, private consulting firms, private developers, and local community-based organizations participated in the American Planning Association's (APA), "Current Trends in Planning Law" webinar hosted at the CDCP's office. This webinar provided 1.5 hours of required certification maintenance credits to American Institute for Certified Planners (AICP) members, and marked a new approach to extending the CDCP's educational outreach. Stay tuned for more access to educational opportunities!
FAREWELL l RenPlan® Program Director Tara Nelson
After six years of promoting the value of good design and providing access to design professionals to property owners, Tara is leaving Pittsburgh and the CDCP to pursue a graduate degree in film at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston. During her tenure, Tara expanded the Renovation Information Network (RIN) into the RenPlan® Program we know today - a nationally recognized licensed program with more than 200 design professionals volunteering their time as consultants. Please join us in wishing Tara well.
ON THE ROAD l Community Development Stakeholders Trek to Baltimore
Andrea Lavin, LEED® Green Associate, traveled to Baltimore on June 18 and June 19 with the Pittsburgh Community Development Learning Exchange (PCDLE). The PCDLE was sponsored by the Pittsburgh Community Development Collaborative and the Surdna Foundation as a way for Pittsburgh community development stakeholders to learn new approaches to community revitalization, to meet with counterparts, and tour pertinent projects in Baltimore.
mission The Community Design Center of Pittsburgh (CDCP) is a non-profit organization that improves quality of life through 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
