Category Archive: Main & Elm Street Programs
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Penn Hills Development Group Begins to Bloom
By Tony LaRussa
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, June 10, 2010
President of the Penn Hills Community Development Corporation Erik Hardy, 58, of Penn Hills works with volunteer Colton Sankey, 17, of Plum High School to form a plumb line as they plot out a community garden. The municipality is allowing the CDC to use a parcel of land along Jefferson Road for a community garden in which residents and groups can rent 4- by 12-foot plots for $20. Samantha Cuddy | Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Penn Hills’ burgeoning Community Development Corporation took a significant step in its organizing efforts when the state recently designated it as a private, nonprofit organization.
That’s not all. The CDC has a project under way: a community garden.
Since last year, organizers have worked to create an organization to promote the community’s strengths: its location, plentiful and affordable housing, diverse population and parks and other recreation facilities.
Equally important is addressing the poor reputation of the community’s schools, its inability to attract and keep businesses, and the deteriorating quality of life in some neighborhoods caused by crime, poor property maintenance, government-subsidized housing and other factors, officials say.
Working committees include housing, economic development, education, community beautification, public safety and communications. CDC officials are encouraging residents to join the organization and serve on a committee.
“We’ve found that people here have a lot of energy and great ideas for promoting or improving various aspects of the community,” said Erik Hardy, CDC board president. “What we didn’t have was a central place to go to channel that energy and put those ideas into practice. That’s really what led us to form this organization.”
Margie Howard of the Community Technical Assistance Center in Pittsburgh said obtaining nonprofit status from the state is a critical step toward becoming eligible for funding.
Jim Black, standing, Vice President of the Community Development Corporation of Penn Hills, ponders his next move with fellow workers at the municipality's community garden. David Wolf, right, and his son Gregory Wolf, 13, are helping to construct 4 by 12 foot garden plots which residents and groups can rent. Samantha Cuddy | Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
“You have to have the state designation before applying for federal tax-exempt status,” said Howard, who helped the CDC develop its structure. “There are a lot of state and federal agencies and foundations that require groups to be a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization before they will consider them for grants.”
CDCs operate apart from local government, and money such as federal housing rehabilitation grants are available only to them.
Lack of money has not prevented the CDC from taking on a project its members hope will help spur interest in its activities.
The municipality is allowing the CDC to use a parcel of land along Jefferson Road for a community garden in which residents and groups can rent 4- by 12-foot plots for $20. Municipal officials also have agreed to supply water to the site.
Businesses donated materials, supplies and services for the garden. Penn Hills Lawn and Garden donated soil testing and mushroom manure; Penn Hills Rental provided equipment to clear the site; Hanson Aggregates gave gravel for the access road; and The Home Depot provided lumber, fencing, tools, water barrels and other supplies.
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Vacant Houses Spur Art Initiative in Wilkinsburg
Thursday, June 10, 2010By Deborah M. Todd, Pittsburgh Post-GazetteWhen Wilkinsburg artist Lazae LaSpina noticed bright neon swirls of abstract art decorating boards used to shutter the North Side’s vacant Garden Theater, she saw an opportunity to spruce up blighted properties in her own neighborhood.
“I could tell people cared about that area,” she said. “In Wilkinsburg, with all of the abandoned properties in that area, I thought that would be a good idea if we did something similar.”
Originally conceived as a small neighborhood project in May 2009, Ms. LaSpina’s idea has grown into a plan that will not only beautify the homes, but could potentially establish the community as a haven for artists. The Whitney Avenue Art Gallery “Houses in Waiting” project kicked off May 28 with a youth orientation event at Hosanna House.
Funded by the Wilkinsburg Weed and Seed, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Wilkinsburg Municipal Authority and the Wilkinsburg Development Authority, the project’s goal is to recruit community members to paint plywood window covers for 10 to 12 vacant houses on Whitney Avenue’s’s 700 block — transforming the space to what organizers call an “outdoor gallery.”
But if the idea catches on the way Ms. LaSpina and Wilkinsburg officials hope it will, the project will spearhead a push to promote the properties for sale as well as programs available for potential homeowners.
“The theme ‘Houses in Waiting’ intends the board-up art to act as a placeholder while interest is generated for a wide spectrum of home buyers to invest in the neighborhood and take advantage of Wilkinsburg’s ten-year property tax abatement program,” reads the WAAG web site.
The initiative also has potential to bring neighbors in the Hamnett Place community together to collaborate behind a common theme for the artwork. Volunteers are split up into youth and adult groups where professional artists help lead discussion and activities to determine themes.
Artist Ernest Bey, whose work includes elaborate wood carvings created for the Garden Dreams Nursery on Holland Avenue, said he looks forward to speaking to youth about the project.
“I want to challenge students, who are going to be becoming the lead artists on this project. I want their input,” he said. “Because when you involve young people, they come up with something you totally didn’t anticipate.”
Multimedia artist Kate Joranson said she will encourage adult volunteers to observe the environment around the houses to come up with ideas for themes.
“Boarded up buildings and abandoned sites can evoke a lot of emotion,” she said. “I want to try to collect those stories through writing, drawings, maybe collect small objects.”
With the window covers painted and primed, workshops scheduled throughout the month and a grand opening event scheduled for July, organizers are optimistic the initiative will help residents see the community in a new way.
Councilwoman Vanessa McCarthy-Johnson said she hopes the initiative can grow to include more of Ms. LaSpina’s ideas, such as artists in residence and community parties to promote the site. But she said the initial start is more than enough to spark additional improvements in the neighborhood.
“It gives a sense of value instead of devastation to the properties in the neighborhood. People will look at where they live a little different,” she said.
They’ll see its not just an abandoned house, it can be just about anything you want it to be.”
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Students Pen a Historical Look at Homestead – Book Features Poems, Photos, Essays
Thursday, June 10, 2010By Dana Vogel, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
- Student authors from Propel Andrew Street High School sign copies of the book they authored about Homestead’s Eighth Avenue at the Tin Front Cafe. From left: Crystal Short, MalikQua Salter, Chaqua Johnson, Janiece Hall and Tikisha Johnson.
Thanks to the Young Preservationists Association — a nonprofit organization that encourages the participation of young people in historic preservation — the history of Homestead has come alive for a group of Propel Andrew Street High School students.
The association’s Youth Main Street Advisers Program and seven students from Propel Andrew Street held a book signing last Thursday in Homestead to launch their new book, “Take a Walk From the Past to the Future of Eighth Avenue,” published by Red Engine Press.
The book was the result of a year-long project to better understand Homestead’s historic commercial district and to envision a new future.
“Take a Walk From the Past to the Future of Eighth Avenue,” which is divided into three parts representing the past, present and future of Eighth Avenue, features essays, poems and interviews by the students. The book also includes photographs of the neighborhood from the past and present.
Dan Holland, CEO of the youth group, explained the idea for a book came from a desire to do something more enduring than a video. “We wanted something you can see, feel, touch,” he said.
The rest of the story came down to a combination of luck and preparedness, Mr. Holland said. He explained that he ran into his longtime friend Jeremy Resnick, executive director and founder of Propel, at a barber shop and mentioned his idea. With a grant from the Grable Foundation and approval from Propel superintendent Carol Wooten, students from Propel Andrew Street in Munhall turned Mr. Holland’s dream into a reality.
The most significant result of the project seems to be its effect on the students.
Stephanie Nachemja-Bunton, a teacher at Propel Andrew Street and the group’s adviser, said, despite a few initial setbacks, “the seven students who completed the books were dedicated and did a wonderful job.”
She said that in addition to researching Homestead in books and on the Internet, the students took a number of tours of the borough.
Dr. Wooten said not only did the project give the students a stronger sense of community, but it also helped them to meet Pennsylvania academic standards, particularly in communications. She also emphasized that the group aspect of the project will help to prepare the students for the workplace.
The students also agreed that, in the end, the project was about learning.
“The experience was good. I gained knowledge and learned about the community,” said MalikQua Salter, a 17-year-old junior from Rankin, who contributed an essay, interview and photo essay to the book.
MalikQua, whose father grew up in Homestead, wrote in the book, “Eighth Avenue is no longer what it used to be, but many people are coming together to make it what it once was.”
Freshman Janiece Hall, 15, of Penn Hills, said, “I learned about interviewing and communication skills.”
Janiece, who has a poem, photo essay, interview and essay feature in the book, also said that while the project seemed difficult at first, “as it was coming together, it got easier.”
In her poem, she describes earlier excitement on the avenue which is “now as empty as a dried up river bed.”
The result of all the hard work seems well worth it to MalikQua. “The book turned out great. We worked hard and put in a lot of effort, and it’s pretty good,” she said.
Echoing her sentiments, Mr. Holland said: “I’m thrilled with the book. It’s a very compelling product.
“Our hope is that the community will embrace this book as well,” he added.
For a copy of “Take a Walk From the Past to the Future of Eighth Avenue,” call the Young Preservationists Association at 412-363-5964.
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Housing Resource Center Underway
PHLF News
October 23, 2009Construction is now moving forward with our Housing Resource Center to be located in an area of the Packard Building in Wilkinsburg that we acquired with a grant from the Hillman Foundation several years ago.
The Center is being developed with grant funds from the Allegheny Foundation, a charitable trust of Richard M. Scaife.
It will consist of an office for Landmarks Community Capital Corporation East and a meeting and display room in which people from throughout Wilkinsburg and in fact the Western Pennsylvania area will be able to learn about housing restoration, solicitation of bids, and we will offer Do-It Yourself classes.
Various non-profit organizations here that specialize in various aspects of physical restoration, sustainability, greening buildings will provide educational services. The Center should be functioning by spring.
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Tax Abatement Program Passed in FLAG Communities
PHLF News
October 23, 2009Property owners in Freeport, Leechburg, and Apollo will have a new incentive to make capital improvements to their buildings now that a tax abatement program has been approved in the three boroughs.
The Freeport Leechburg Apollo Group worked with Freeport, Leechburg, and Apollo boroughs, Freeport Area school board, Leechburg Area school board, Apollo-Ridge school board, the Armstrong County commissioners, and the Armstrong County department of Planning and Development to successfully adopt the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) program. LERTA, which applies to commercial and industrial properties, provides a property tax abatement schedule to improvements made to a given property.
The local taxing bodies agreed to a 10 year abatement schedule, where 100% of the property taxes are abated for the improved portion of the building in the first year, and then by 10% less each subsequent year so that by year 11, property taxes are collected on the full assessed value of the property.
The value of the LERTA program is that there is no decrease in current tax revenue for a given property. The local taxing bodies will continue to collect what they have been, but now there is an incentive for property owners to make improvements to their buildings because they do not need to fear their improvements will immediately result in higher property taxes.
Of the seven local taxing bodies that collect property tax (three boroughs, three school districts, and the county), all but Leechburg Area school district adopted LERTA. Leechburg school district amended a tax abatement program they already had in place to be consistent with the LERTA tax abatement schedule.
Rich Palilla, Executive Director of the Armstrong County department of Planning and Development, feels the LERTA program is a good economic development tool that Armstrong County has been a strong advocate for; “The Armstrong County commissioners have been a vocal advocate for the LERTA program because it gives communities a real economic development tool to use to help existing property owners and attract new ones. Several years ago the commissioners adopted a policy that the county would adopt LERTA ordinances for any borough that adopted a LERTA resolution. Roughly 25% of the boroughs in Armstrong County have now adopted LERTA and we are pleased with the amount of reinvestment that has occurred as a result”.
The new tax abatement program is one that the Freeport Leechburg Apollo Group (FLAG) hopes will compliment their efforts to revitalize the downtown districts of its three member communities. FLAG administers a façade grant program that business owners in the three towns can utilize to make improvements to their buildings. The group has had a lot of interest from local businesses and property owners already, and feels that LERTA will encourage even more property and business owners to make improvements to their buildings.
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Businesses in Leechburg Restoring and Opening
PHLF News
October 6, 2009-It’s hard to miss Ray Voyten’s newly restored building in downtown Leechburg; during the day, passersby can take in a variety of improvements to the building; new awnings, new doors and windows, freshly cleaned bricks, and more. At night, the building’s façade is cast in a warm yellow light thanks to new up-lighting that was installed. Mr. Voyten was able to renovate his building thanks to the Freeport Leechburg Apollo Group’s façade grant program, where business owners can get funds from the group for façade improvements.
Now, it seems like other businesses in downtown Leechburg are catching the renovation bug, and new stores are opening after seeing the improvements happening to the buildings and public spaces in town. Vicki Beuth, owner of Leechburg Floral, is making improvements to her storefront with the assistance of a grant from FLAG, which is made available through a grant attained by State Senator Jim Ferlo. Her renovation includes new awnings, and touch up painting on the façade. Beuth is also part of a newly formed female investment group called Leechburg Investment Projects (LIPS).
Drawing on the wealth of experience the nine women bring to the table, their goal is to open businesses, operate them for a short period of time, and then sell the business to a younger entrepreneur. The funds that are generated from the sale will be used to continue the process with another storefront until, according to Beuth, “all of the storefronts in Leechburg are filled”. The new owner will have a built in network of seasoned business people to ask questions and provide guidance. Their first business is Books & Beans, slated to open at the end of October at 156 Market Street. Books & Beans will feature coffee by Prestogeorge, fresh baked goods and sandwiches, and free WI-FI internet access.
Another business slated to open at the end of the month is Reuman & Kraft Antiques located at 155 Market Street. Inside visitors will find some of the best selection of antiques from all eras. The wonderful items displayed in the storefront windows may have already tempted those familiar with Leechburg, and the owners are looking forward to opening their doors for the public.
Peg Carnahan from Peg’s Tanning, was one of the businesses that was inspired by all of the restoration activity happening in town, and decided to fix up the exterior of her building as well. After renting her space for seventeen years, Ms. Carnahan purchased the building, located at 116 Market Street. She immediately set out to improve the façade, installing a classy awning and painting portions of the façade. She has been amazed by the reaction and encouragement she has received from other business owners, and is excited for all of the momentum in the downtown.
One of the shopkeepers encouraging her is Amy Glendenning who owns the Hair Shop located at 114 2nd Street. Ms. Glendenning is in the process of a full façade restoration on her building as well. With the help of a grant from FLAG Ms. Glendenning cleaned her original brick façade, installed a new awning, and replaced her windows with specialty-heated windows from GreenHeat, located outside Kittanning. These windows, which Vicki Beuth also plans to utilize in her façade project, heat a section of a room using very little electricity, allowing business owners to save money on their utility bills in the winter.
Graff Gourmet & Printing liked FLAG and Voytex Electrical’s façade and storefront renovation so much that they moved in to the renovated storefront located at 139 Market Street (135 Market Street was also renovated, and houses Mr. Voyten’s electrical business). The new location offers an improved interior space to display their gourmet food items, Lionel trains, as well as house their printing business in the rear of the storefront.
Visitors to Leechburg will now have a convenient location to stay close to the downtown. Last weekend, John Truett opened the Old Parsonage Bed and Breakfast located in an old church built in 1867. There are currently two rooms available, the Ancient Egyptian room featuring a full sized sarcophagus, and the Lilly Bone room, reputed to be haunted by the spirit of a former caretaker of the church. The Old Parsonage Bed and Breakfast is located at 156 Siberian Avenue, just a few blocks from Leechburg’s central business district.
Not all of the activity in Leechburg has to do with building improvements; Krutz Jewelers located at 146 Market Street is offering a unique piece of jewelry in honor of breast cancer awareness. Diane Krutz is a breast cancer survivor and co-owner of the jewelry store. Krutz Jewelers is offering a unique diamond ring with a linking ribbon motif designed by Diane. The ring won first place in the design category at the Pennsylvania Jewelers Association’s 13th Annual Jewelry Design Competition. The PinkiePromise ring is available only at Krutz Jewelers in downtown Leechburg and a portion of the sales goes to support breast cancer research
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Landmarks completes detailed GIS maps of Wilkinsburg
By Michael Sriprasert
PHLF News
August 5, 2009Landmarks recently completed a comprehensive list of GIS (geographic information system) maps depicting a number of important data sets in Wilkinsburg.
These data sets include: the level of tax delinquency of properties, abandoned structures, vacant tax delinquent land, foreclosures, section 8 rental units, available vacant parcels for a side-lot program, property sales, and crime statistics.
All maps give an overall picture of the Borough in addition to depiction the information by ward.
These maps will be an important source of information regarding development efforts in Wilkinsburg, and will be available shortly through the PHLF website.
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Crescent Apartments Receives Financing From State
by Michael Sriprasert
PHLF News
August 5, 2009
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency recently awarded PHLF tax credits for the Crescent Apartments project, a 27-unit restoration development of two historic structures in the Hamnett Place neighborhood of Wilkinsburg.This $9 million dollar project will be the largest to date in Wilkinsburg, and will have a transformative effect on Hamnett Place, which is soon to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Crescent and Wilson House will have a community room, a computer facility, and all units will be hard wired for high speed internet. Social services will be provided by Hosanna House both on and off-site.
The Crescent Apartments is adjacent to the Housing Resource Center (HRC) and the housing restoration work ongoing in the area, all of which are PHLF initiatives. It will also contain a field office for LCCC.
The HRC and housing restoration, in addition to the Crescent, will bring PHLF’s investment to over $11 million dollars in Wilkinsburg. Sota Construction is the general contractor of the Crescent project, Landmarks Design Associates is the architect, and NDC Real Estate Management is the management agent.