BEFORE HISTORIC REVIEW COMMISSION,
CITY OF PITTSBURGH PUBLIC HEARING ON CITY DEMOLITIONS

JANUARY 7, 2008

Landmarks opposes the demolitions of 1403 and 1414 Nixon Street and 1109 Bingham Street because the City was instructed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to cease all demolition activities for any buildings located in National Register eligible or listed or local designated historic districts until the City complies with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and revises its procedures and relevant documentation. 

HUD reiterated its instructions and concerns with the City’s Section 106 compliance in a letter dated December 29, 2008.  In this letter, the City was further instructed to respond to HUD by January 16, 2009 with: (1) an update on the City’s progress in revising its procedures and relevant documentation to comply with Section 106,  (2) assurance that the City has ceased demolition activities, and (3) addressing Landmarks’ concerns.

It is distressing that the City has failed to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act over the past six months.  We have yet to receive any responses from the City to our letters commenting on its compliance with Section 106 that were sent in August and September 2008, nor have we received a response to our letter dated July 29, 2008 requesting to be a consulting party.  

Landmarks will oppose all City demolitions in historic districts until it complies with Section 106, and we are notified of our consulting party status.