Hearing Before the Council of the City of Pittsburgh on the Bakery Square Tax Increment Financing Plan – Nabisco Property

PREPARED TESTIMONY OF

ANNE E. NELSON, ESQ.

DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AFFAIRS

PITTSBURGH HISTORY & LANDMARKS FOUNDATION

BEFORE THE PITTSBURGH CITY COUNCIL

PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BAKERY SQUARE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN – NABISCO PROPERTY

OCTOBER 23, 2007

On behalf of Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation (“Landmarks”) and our president, Arthur Ziegler, I thank you, members of the Council, for the opportunity to discuss the Bakery Square Tax Increment Financing Plan.

From a historic preservation standpoint, Landmarks appreciated the opportunity to meet with the project developers from the onset and to work with them to put together a preservation plan for the buildings that, at the same time, respected the developer’s functional needs.  Landmarks is very pleased that the developer has followed through consistently with the preservation plan and is considering the donation of a historic preservation easement on the buildings.

The Bakery Square development not only serves historic preservation interests, but will provide a major capital infusion at a strategic city block that will affect the surrounding neighborhoods of East Liberty, Point Breeze, and Homewood.

Therefore, Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation supports the Bakery Square Tax Increment Financing Plan.