March 2009
JOIN US
Pedal Pittsburgh
Pancake Breakfast
Whole Foods Market
Saturday, April 25
8am - Noon
JUST $7
All proceeds benefit the CDCP
EDUCATION l Walter Hood Caps Design Excellence Lecture Season
Landscape architect, architect, and UC Berkeley College of Environmental Planning and Urban Design professor Walter J. Hood is guest speaker at the final event of the inaugural season of the CDCP's Design Excellence Lecture Series on Monday, April 20. The topic - Multiplying and Enlarging: Improving Ecologies-touches upon his advocacy of improvisation as a design process because he believes it demands creativity and collaborative thinking. Neighborhood development, community planning, and citizen participation - particularly ethnic groups - are central to his approach. A recent interest of Walter's seems particularly relevant to Pittsburgh: how, staying in the community scale, you look at the larger scale and understand its role on the small scale. Come and hear Walter Hood, and join the discussion on the recurring Design Excellence Lecture Series themes of city-building, visionary planning, sustainability, community engagement, and civic awareness. The cost is $20, and includes the lecture, a panel discussion, and a reception. For tickets please visit the CDCP website
or call 412.391.4144 for more information. ADVOCACY l Civic Design Coalition Hosts Mayoral Forum
The Pittsburgh Civic Design Coalition (PCDC) is hosting its third Mayoral Forum in as many mayoral elections on Thursday, May 7 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm in Lecture Hall 406 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, with a reception to follow. Katherine Fink of WDUQ Radio will moderate the forum. To attend, please RSVP 412.281.0995 or design@judith-kelly.com by Friday, May 1, 2009.
PILOT l "Allegheny Restores" Provides Facade Improvement to
Property Owners
Allegheny County Economic Development has launched a pilot program using historic preservation as an economic development tool in Elizabeth Borough, Stowe Township, Swissvale, and Tarentum. The CDCP - with project partners Town Center Associates and Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation - is providing two-phase technical assistance to "Allegheny Restores" including design consultations, and facade schematics. Typical work may include the reinstatement of traditional storefront design with windows, transoms, signboard, lighting, and entry doors. Upper floor facade work could include removal of inappropriate face coverings and introduction of right-sized windows, masonry repair, and restoration of decorative woodwork, among other items.
GRANT l Lawrenceville Awarded $8,000 to Develop Residential Facade Design Guidelines
The Lawrenceville Corporation was awarded an $8,000 Design Fund grant to develop residential design guidelines for the property facades within its Elm Street District, which stretches along Dresden Way from Stanton Avenue to 55th Street, and back on Keystone Street. Lawrenceville is one of five Pittsburgh neighborhoods, and one of 35 communities across the state, designated as Elm Street Districts through a competitive process. The Pittsburgh Elm Street District program is administered by the URA and PPND.
OUTREACH l Lancaster County Planning Commission Visits Pittsburgh
A representative of the Lancaster County Planning Commission attended Margaret Crawford's 101 Urban Salvations presentation at the Design Excellence Lecture Series, and stayed an extra day in Pittsburgh to make connections and have conversations about community design. The County Comprehensive Plan "Envision Lancaster County," is an effort to develop an intentional plan for the county's physical environment in the future. The Lancaster County Planning Commission recognizes that better urban design will deliver development that adds value to the existing community. They have invited CDCP president & ceo Anne-Marie Lubenau, AIA, to visit Lancaster County and serve as a resource to that process.
SPONSOR l Highmark Pedals Again
Reinforcing its commitment to an active, healthy lifestyle for the entire family, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is supporting Pedal Pittsburgh by sponsoring the 6-mile Family Ride along the South Side riverfront trial. As part of its sponsorship, Highmark's headquarters is a packet pick-up location, and Pedal Pittsburgh will be promoted in a display window at Fifth Avenue Place from early May through event day. Pedal Pittsburgh is Sunday, May 17, this year at SouthSide Works. The 6-mile ride is one of six courses available to cyclists participating in Pedal Pittsburgh, a ride unique as Pittsburgh.
UPDATE l New RenPlan® Program Resource Guide Available
The 2009 edition of the Program Resource Guide - the key educational element of a RenPlan® program consultation - is hot off the presses and available for sale for just $13, shipping included. The RenPlan® Program Resource Guide is full of community information and local business listings. It offers property owners insight into what to expect, how to plan for next steps, and where to go for help in their remodeling and renovation projects. A popular feature is the Pittsburgh House Style guide that identifies various styles of house designs prevalent in the city. To purchase a 2009 RenPlan® Program Resource Guide, contact Zack Ambrose at zambrose@cdcp.org or call 412.391.4144.
ON THE ROAD l PA Home Energy Conference Addresses All-Time
High Interest
RenPlan® Program Manager Kate McGlynn is attending the Pennsylvania Home Energy Conference this month in State College. Over the past year, 64% of residential RenPlan® program consultations included discussions about energy and environmental conservation, so this conference on green building technology and energy efficiency provides the CDCP staff with access to additional resources and timely information.
UPCOMING EVENTS l Mark Your Calendars
March 21 - Landscapes and Hardscapes Workshop for Regent Square, Park Place,
North Point Breeze, and Whitney Park
March 28 - Preserve Pittsburgh Summit
April 20 - Design Excellence Lecture Series featuring Walter Hood April 25 - Pedal Pittsburgh Pancake Breakfast
May 1 - Design Fund Grant Application Deadline
May 17 - Pedal Pittsburgh
May 21 - Sustainable Pittsburgh Smart Growth Conference |
