Volume 28 No. 2 February 2012
Property reassessments rock the Northside By Kelsey Shea News regarding property assessments gave homeowners throughout the city of Pittsburgh whiplash last month, when like other City residents, Northsiders were told their property value had at least doubled. Property assessments for 2012, which dictate the official value of homes and land, were announced last month, and the numbers shocked residents. The average home had more than doubled in value according to Allegheny County’s consultant’s new numbers. “My first advice to people is that they need to relax,” said Joe Lawrence, lawyer and chair of the Northside Community Development Fund, who noted that just because the assessment of a home goes up, does not mean that taxes will go up. “The relevant information is to focus on is [if] the sales in your neighborhood are comparable to your property.” Homeowners who do not believe their reassessments were fair or comparable to similar properties in their neighborhoods can schedule formal appeals until Feb. 24. Lawrence advised those filing appeals come prepared with comparable properties near the one you’re appealing. Across the City and in most Northside neighborhoods, the average property values rose by 58 percent. Owners whose property rose less than the average will see decreased taxes, while those whose
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property rose beyond the average will see increased taxes. Though the current average is 58 percent, the number is likely to go down after appeals are processed. According to community leaders throughout the Northside, most neighborhood property values fall around the 58 percent increase, meaning their taxes would not be significantly increased if at all. The Northside exception to this was found in the Mexican War Streets where home owners saw increases that soared as high as 500 percent. The Mexican War Streets, Lawrenceville and East Liberty were the neighborhoods in the city that saw the highest increases for the 2012 property assessments. RealSTATs, a Pittsburgh-based real estate data company, declared “winners” and “losers” in the 2012 reassessments by wards. Ward 27, which includes Brighton Heights and Brightwood, will see some of the greatest tax relief in the city with 1,296 parcels tax bills dropping $500 or more and only 310 with tax bills rising by $500 or more, according to RealSTATs. Ward 23, which includes Historic Deutschtown, is estimated to have 601 parcels see a tax bills raise by $500 or more. Outside of the Mexican War Streets, areas of Manchester, East Deutschtown and other properties scattered throughout the Northside saw significant increases of more
See Reassessments, page 13
-News briefs 4 -KaBOOM! playground 9 STORIES, COLUMNS, FEATURES & MORE -BCG public safety 12
Photo by Kelsey Shea Mayor Luke Ravenstahl speaks on the second floor of Masonic Hall in the Garden Theater Block about the project’s progress. Check out page 3 for the full story.
Fineview and Manchester will face dire transit cuts By Kelsey Shea Though the North Shore will receive enhanced public transportation next month, by September, two other Northside neighborhoods are facing complete service elimination. The 2,122 other weekday bus riders of the 15 Manchester and the 604 weekday riders of the 11 Fineview will fall victim to the 35 percent service cut announced by the Port Authority last month. While the latest slew of Port Authority transit cuts will largely affect suburban routes and express buses, Manchester and Fineview are
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facing complete service elimination, which will leave close to 3,000 Northside riders stranded. On Jan. 18, Port Authority announced that its latest 35 percent transit cut will eliminate bus service to Fineview and Manchester, as well 100 other neighborhoods throughout the region if the service reduction passes. Riders throughout the City will also see a 25-cent increase for Zone 1 rides and a 50-cent increase for Zone 2 rides. “These proposed cuts are a direct result of the shortfall in
See Bus cuts, page 15
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THE NORTHSIDE CHRONICLE 922 Middle St. • Pittsburgh, PA 15212
February 2012
Community Meetings To have your community meeting included, email editor@thenorthsidechronicle.com Allegheny West Civic Council 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 7:30 p.m. Calvary United Methodist Church 412.323.8884
Manchester Citizens Corporation Quarterly meetings, call for times MCC Center, 1319 Allegheny Ave. 412.323.1743
Brighton Heights Citizens Federation 2nd Thursday, bi-monthly, 7 p.m. Morrow Elementary School 412.734.0233
Manchester Public Safety Meeting Quarterly meetings, call for times Northside Leadership Conference 412.323.1743
Managing Editor Kelsey Shea E-mail: editor@thenorthsidechronicle.com
Brightwood Civic Group 3rd Tuesday, bi-monthly, 7 p.m. Pressley Ridge, 2611 Stayton St. 412.732.8152
Northside Rotary Club Every Friday, noon Cardello Building, 2nd Floor
Advertising Manager Kaitlin Balmert E-mail: advertising@thenorthsidechronicle.com
Brightwood Community Emergency Response Shelter 3rd Thursday, monthly, 6 p.m. 3219 Central Ave.
www.thenorthsidechronicle.com Phone 412-321-3919 • Fax 412-321-1447 Mail Subscriptions are available at a rate of $30 per year.
California-Kirkbride Blockwatch 3rd Thursday, monthly, 7 p.m. 1601 Brighton Rd., 3rd floor California-Kirkbride Neighbors 2nd Thursday, monthly, 7 p.m. 1601 Brighton Rd., 3rd floor 412.758.3898 Central Northside Neighborhood Council
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DISCLAIMER: The viewpoints and opinions of the writers and contributors that appear in The Northside Chronicle do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints, opinions, beliefs or positions of The Northside Chronicle’s publishers, editors, staff and/or affiliates. The Northside Chronicle is not affiliated with any formal political, social, religious, educational or philosophical organization or party of any kind. The materials comprising The Northside Chronicle are provided by various organizations, community groups, advertisers, entities, writers and contributors and are provided as a service to the readers of The Northside Chronicle on an “as-is” basis for informational purposes only. The Northside Chronicle assumes no responsibility for any copyright infringement, errors or omissions in these materials and expressly disclaims any representations or warranties, express or implied, including, without limitation, any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose regarding the correctness, accuracy, completeness, timeliness and reliability of the information provided. The Northside Chronicle is not responsible for damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance upon such information. Reference herein to any commercial product, process or service does not constitute or imply endorsement or favoring by The Northside Chronicle. © The Northside Chronicle 2012
2nd Monday, monthly, 7 p.m. Allegheny Traditional Academy 412.231.7742
Charles Street Area Council 1st Monday, monthly, call for times Pittsburgh Project, 2801 N. Charles St. 412.321.5567 Community Alliance of Spring Garden/ East Deutschtown 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. Fuhrer Building of St. Michael’s Church 412.977.1979 Deutschtown New Hope Council 3rd Thursday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. Community Center, 623 Suismon St. East Allegheny Community Council 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 7 p.m. Bistro Annex 412.321.1204 Ex-offender Aftercare Support Group Saturdays, 4-5:30 p.m. Allegheny Center Alliance Church 801 Union Place Fineview Citizens Council 3rd Wednesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. Reformed Presbyterian Home Pennsylvania Ave. 412.231.0330 Mexican War Streets Society 3rd Tuesday, monthly, 7 p.m. AUU Church, Resaca Pl. and North Ave. 412.323.9030
Northside Coalition for Fair Housing Board 2nd Monday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. 1821 Brighton Rd. 412.321.5527 Northside Coalition for Fair Housing Membership Monthly, call for times 1821 Brighton Rd. 412.321.5521 Northside Leadership Conference Call for times 4 Allegheny Center, Suite 601 412.330.2559 North Side Lions Club 2nd and 4th Tuesday, monthly, noon Max’s Allegheny Tavern North Side Public Safety Council 1st Thursday, monthly, 5:30 p.m. Northside Leadership Conference 412.330.2559 Observatory Hill, Inc. 3rd Wednesday, monthly, 7 p.m. Byzantine Seminary, 3605 Perrysville Ave. 412.231.2887 Perry Hilltop Citizens’ Council 4th Monday, monthly, 7:30 p.m. Angel’s Place, 2605 Norwood St. 412.321.4632 The Promise Group Every other Tuesday, 6 p.m. Western Pa. Humane Society 412.321.1019 Troy Hill Citizens Council Sept. 15, Dec. 15 North Catholic High School 412-321-2852 Spring Hill Civic League Sept. 12, Oct. 3 and Nov. 1 Spring Hill Elementary School contact@shcl.org Summer Hill Citizens Committee 3rd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. WPXI Television Station community room
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February 2012
Lease signed, work begins at Garden Theater Block Nakama restaurant signs the first lease, just as stablization work begins on Federal Street
Photo by Kelsey Shea A crowd of Northsiders gathered to hear they mayor speak on the crubling second floor of Masonic Hall, where a loft apartment will soon be.
By Kelsey Shea Despite the crumbling plaster, cracked walls and uneven floors on the second floor of the blighted Garden Theater Block’s Masonic Hall, there was a buzz of excitement and relief in the crowd of about 60 Northside leaders and residents who gathered to hear Mayor Luke Ravenstahl speak. “I can’t believe we’re here, and I can’t believe this is happening,” said Ravenstahl, who thanked the residents of the Northside and people who have worked on the project. Some, he joked, have been involved in the Garden Theater Block longer than he’s been alive. After years of debates, public meetings, setbacks and waiting periods, work finally began on redeveloping The Garden Theater Block this month, and developers Zukin Realty signed the first lease with Nakama Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, who will open their second location there. “It’s about time,” said Central Northside resident Susan Larkin. “Sometimes it seemed like it would never happen.”
“It’s great. It’ll be another nice option,” said another Central Northside resident John Augustine who attended the press conference with his children. “It’ll get other residents in the City to come here and explore.” The block was acquired by the URA in 2007 for the $17 million revitalization project. When finished, it will include three restaurants, loft-style apartments, store fronts and office spaces. Nakama is the first restaurant to sign a lease, but Zukin has letters of intent from the owners of Lawrenceville’s Round the Corner Cantina and the Firehouse Lounge, formerly in the Strip District. While waiting for restaurants to sign leases, developers have begun stabilization work on several buildings on Federal Street. Zukin President, Wayne Zukin said the work they’re doing is “pretty extensive,” and an important step to the redevelopment. Zukin said that they hope to have leases signed by the end of the month and start work on the North Avenue buildings in the spring. “I look forward to two years from now when you’re all calling me
about a new issue – tight parking form all the people coming to these wonderful new attractions,” joked city Councilman Dave Lavelle who attended the ceremony along with City Council President
Darlene Harris, who once picketed the Garden Theater Block with residents in a call for action. “It was a wonderful place when I was young. It will be again,” said Harris.
Sushi coming to the Northside By Karin Baker Nakama Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar will be housed in the Masonic Temple building at West North Ave. and Reddour St. Featuring specially trained hibachi chefs, the restaurant has been named “best sushi in Pittsburgh” eight consecutive years by Pittsburgh Magazine. The restaurant in Southside has won various other awards, including “Best Overall Restaurant,” “Best Japanese Restaurant” and “Best Happy Hour.” Since it opened in 2003, Nakama has a longstanding tradition of excellence in Pittsburgh. Nakama opened two smaller “Express” locations at Heinz Field and CONSOL Energy Center, making the Northside location it’s fourth project, but second fully functional location. The expansive menu offered at Nakama includes hibachi dinners, shushi rolls, and a specialty drink menu, complete with sake. , “I look forward to Nakama becoming part of the Northside community transformation and its revitalization,” said Bob Gomes, Nakama propertier.
The Northside Chronicle
February 2012
News Briefs Black History Film Festival on the Northside
This month, The Northside Coalition for Fair Housing will celebrate Bloack History Month with a film festival in the Northside that will feature weekly movie showings. Every Tuesday in February, The NSCFH will show films highlighting black history trials and tribulations. Titles include, “The Children’s March,” “The Black Power Mixtape 19671975,” “Waiting for Superman,” “Holding Ground,” “Eyes on the Prize,” “Boycott,” and “Murder on Sunday Morning.” The films will be shown at Letter Carriers Hall at 841 California Ave at 7 p.m. each Tuesday. -Kelsey Shea
New Hazlett hosted rendition of ‘Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train’
Last month, “Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train” was performed at the New Hazlett Theater. The play was written by Stephen Adly Guirgis and featured a case of five. In the play, a young and impressionable Angel Cruz in Rikers Island, New York’s maximum-security prison, pending his trial for the accidental murder of Reverend Kim. He meets Lucius Jenkins, “The Black Plague,” during routine exercise, when Lucius works out in the cage next to Angel. Lucius is a convicted serial killer, but his pride and religious zeal defy the bars that hold him. In the 23-hour lockdown wing of the prison, these two inmates contemplate guilt, innocence, morality and anger. This emotionally devastating drama asked big questions with a small case
right here on the Northside. -Sarah Reagle
Warhol Museum features ‘About Face’ exhibit
A new exhibition will feature a series of portraits done by Arne Svenson. Svenson is a New Yorkbased photographer working in collaboration with The Warhol for this exhibition. The portraits were taken at Pittsburgh’s Wesley Spectrum Highland, an Approve Private School for students with special needs in grades 4 – 12. The exhibition features three-dimensional, large-format photographs that are fixed to the gallery walls and fixed open at a 55-degree angle. From one perspective, the viewer sees an expressive portrait accompanied by an emotional motivator. The emotional motivators range from birthday cakes to spiders and were used to evoke a facial expression. Svenson, who has a background in special education, worked as the artist-in-residency at this school in February 2011 as part of an ongoing partnership with Svenson, The Warhol, the Cognitive Psychology Department at the University of Victoria, British Columbia and Wesley Spectrum Highland. The goal of the partnership is to work with autistic children in order to improve communication skills by activities that involve Warhol’s portraits and the practice of contemporary portrait artists such as Svenson to teach facial recognition skills. The exhibition was curated by Tresa Varner, curator of education and interpretation at The Warhol. -Sarah Reagle
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February 2012
Northsiders help two families through fire By Karin Baker Nisha Thompson and her three children had what she describes as an “amazing” Christmas this year, a surprising outcome considering that just nine days before the holiday, her family’s home in the Central Northside was up in flames. “When I first saw the fire I was scared, devastated. You never think these things will happen to you,” said Thompson recounting the Dec. 16 fire that destroyed her home and the home next door on Montery Street that belonged to the Diggs family. Four of the five members of the Thompson family were home at the time of the fire, with Thompson’s oldest daughter Taiyona making sure that her brother and sister got out of the house safely. The Diggs also made it out of the fire safely and relocated. “They’re going day by day now,” says Mr. Diggs Jr., the Diggs’ son. The house belonged to his parents who have since relocated to
Photo by Kelsey Shea Two homes caught fire on Monterey Street in the Central Northside and displaced two neighborhood families just days before Christmas. a hotel. Despite the tragedy, the Though all of the family two Northside families saw an members made it out of the fire outpouring of support from their unharmed, the two families were left friends, neighbors and members of homeless for what was looking to be the Central Northside community a bleak holiday season. through the holiday season that
included countless donations, support and culminated with a benefit concert on Jan. 15 with nearly 100 people in attendance. “They raised money at a coffee shop for several weeks. They gave me dishes, clothes, toys, soap, rags, towels, sheets, blankets, and I don’t mean just one day. I mean every week I was packing two cars full of gifts and other necessities that they had for me,” said Thompson about her neighbors. “More stuff than you could imagine.”. Despite the fire occurring immediately before the Christmas holiday, Thompson said that thanks to her neighbors, her children still had an amazing Christmas. The benefit concert was held by the Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church to help raise money for the families. All the proceeds were given directly to them.
See Fire, page 20
February 2012
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February 2012
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January NSC Blog Highlights For full stories go to www.thenorthsidechronicle.com/blog
The Northside Chonicle Blog is updated daily with photos, event previews, interviews, videos and more. Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
January 4- New Omnimax narrated by Morgan Freeman January 10- Northside housing court cases January 9-Northside nonprofit seeks marathon runners January 17- Northside Common Ministries offers tax help January 23- Historic Deutschtown fire pictures
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KaBOOM! brings a new playground to the NS By Sarah Reagle With the help of Central Northsiders, neighborhood kids, the mayor’s office and a national nonprofit, Allegheny Commons Park will receive a renovated, safe and up-to date playground in June. KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit that builds playgrounds in a single day, is partnering with the Mayor’s Office, the Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities and the Central Northside Neighborhood Council to rebuild the playground at the corner of Palo Alto Street and W. North Avenue. “The new equipment will provide educational opportunities, and the up-to-code equipment will ensure safety,” said Rebecca Delphia of the servePGH initiative. The PLCM builds a KaBOOM! playground each year in conjunction Photo by Kelsey Shea with their annual conference. This The park at the corner of Palo Alto and W. North Avenue will be year, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl will replaced by a brand new KaBOOM! park. host the conference at the Omni William Penn Hotel in June. identified as highly utilized and in This day will take place at The The Department of Public great need of repair. Children’s Museum and include Works chose the playground in On Feb. 21, the partners for residents — both adults and the Central Northside to receive this project will host a Design Day, children — of the Northside, who the renovation because the current kicking off the planning process. will participate in designing the new structure is worn down, aged an
playground. According to Delphia, Northside residents will be able to voice their opinions as to what the new playground should include and help build the playground during the Build Day in June. KaBOOM! playgrounds are built in just one day with the help of 200 volunteers from the community. Volunteers for this project will include members of the PCLM as well as the Mayor’s Office, but members of the community will also be able to help. After the Design Day, the CNNC and Mayor’s Office will form planning committees. The entire planning process will take from 13 to 15 weeks, culminating in June with the Build Day. The Build Day coincides with the PLCM conference. When the playground is built, children will have to stay off the site for about a week to allow the concrete to set. After this period, the playground will be open to the public. KaBOOM! is a national nonprofit that has built over 2,000 playgrounds in the past 15 years. One of these playgrounds already
See KaBOOM, page 20
February 2012
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BHCF begins housing construction project at former hospital site By Kelsey Shea The Brighton Heights Citizens Federation and the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh are fixing a hole – or at least beginning to with a new housing project on the Northside. The bowl shaped property at the corner of McClure Avenue and Antrim was former site of the St. John’s Hospital in Brighton Heights, but BHCF President Pete Bellisario says many residents simply refer to it as “the big hole” now. Last onth, the URA approved the project to construct three single family homes on the former St. John’s hospital site. The project is now completely financed and contractors have received notice to begin construction. Bellisario said that for many neighbors, this project has been “15 years in the making.” “I think it has a great location. I think the neighborhood as a whole is strong,” said Thomas Cummings, housing director at the URA. “I
Foundations for the three new homes are being laid at the corner of Antrim Street and McClure Avenue. think the housing units that are being developed are strong.” Cummings said the home should be completed by early to mid summer and that they are the first phase of redeveloping the land to include 17 to 18 single-family homes. The BHCF and the URA hope
that the success of nearby housing projects such as Washburn Square in Brightwood, Columbus Square in Manchester and the townhomes on Federal Street in the Central Northside are good indications that there is a healthy market for new homes in the Northside. “I believe we’ll be well-received
by the market,” said Cummings. Bellisario said that it is more than likely that the home owners will receive secondary loans from URA. Going forward, both Cummings and Bellisario agree that the “larger site is more challenging” due to the significant grade changes of the land, which gave it the name “the hole.” The next step is to find a contractor to fill the hole and begin finding ways to finance the next phase of the project said Cummings. Other than the unevenness of the land, the URA and BHCF are concerned about houses around the property that were abandoned soon after the hospital shut down. “People lost faith in that anyone was going to do anything down there,” said Bellisario, who hopes the city will allocate funds to help renovate and demolish the abandoned properties. “We have to do this, the only question is how we’re going to do this,” Bellisario said.
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First phase Columbus Square homes sell quickly By Sarah Reagle After six years of planning and two years of construction, two families will be the first to move into new homes at Manchester’s Columbus Square housing development in early February. Fourth River Development, LLC, completed the first phase of the Columbus Square project, which includes five finished homes, two of which have been sold. Other new homes throughout the Northside have sold well, and developers say that Columbus Square is no exception. Sally Flinn, a developer at Fourth River, said that based on the increasing activity they see every week during their Sunday afternoon open houses, she believes sales are going well and that “people are becoming more aware of the development and realize its value” The remaining homes for sale are two duplexes being sold at an introductory price of $179,000. The fifth home is now the model home
Photo courtesy Fourth River Development
The first phase of Columbus Square has been successful. for the project. The hope is that Columbus Square will see continued success in its next phases. This project has helped revitalize the neighborhood of Manchester by transforming a vacant industrial site into state-of-
the-art houses. “These new homes have boosted the local economy by creating jobs in the community and are providing an increased tax base while adding to the urban infill housing inventory,” said Flinn.
At completion, Columbus Square will consist of 31 single-family residences. Each home will feature a twocar garage, front porch, rear deck and private yard. The homes also include cost-saving green energy components. The owners of these new homes will benefit from a10-year tax abatement from the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County that will reduce their property tax obligation. The second phase of the project will include the completion of four more houses in the development. The project received a grant from the Urban Redevelopment Authority as part of the Pittsburgh Housing Construction Fund. According to Flinn, construction on these new units should start within the next 30 days. Prices for houses in Phase 2 range from $208,800 to $279,900. Moving forward with the project, the developers intend to
See Columbus Square, page 20
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BCG pushes public safety
By Francesca Fenzi The Brightwood Civic Group created a new public safety initiative, which it hopes will place more watchful eyes throughout the neighborhood. The Brightwood Public Safety Committee, which originally focused on the areas of Woodland and Shadeland avenues, will expand and incorporate a larger portion of the neighborhood. According to Diane AnnisDixon, president of the BCG, the original committee was extremely successful, and played a role in the arrest of two suspects in the murder of Mark Barry, a former Northside firefighter who was killed in the area in 2010 while walking his dog. Additionally, a series of security cameras were installed on Woodland Avenue by City Council President Darlene Harris’ office. The Brightwood Public Safety Committee, in conjunction with Harris’ security cameras, helped lead police to the suspects in Barry’s murder. “Had we never had the block watch, that [murder] might never have been resolved,” AnnisDixon said. Joe Brown and Artice Coleman will coordinate the new Public Safety Committee. Brown emphasized the importance of community involvement in the project. The Brighton Public Safety Committee, an expansion of the original Woodland/Shadeland Blockwatch, met for the first time on Tuesday, and Brown expressed hope that this new group will be more
accessible to all interested members of the community. Ideally, Brown explained, the Public Safety Committee will become a forum where “everyone who wants to get involved can get involved.” In order to make this possible, Brown added, the committee will now meet at a variety of times and locations throughout Brightwood, allowing those with strict work commitments a greater flexibility. “I’d like everyone who wants to be involved to become the eye on our community,” said Brown. Brown also expressed an interest in partnering with neighborhoods like Brighton Heights to create a larger area of protection in the future. These hopes were echoed by Annis-Dixon, who conveyed her interest in improving Brightwood’s image as a neighborhood. “We live in a great neighborhood with a few bad people,” said Brown. “It’s all of our responsibility to improve [the area’s] safety.” The ultimate goal of BCG’s new initiative is to improve public safety, and expand the territory that currently benefits from citizen involvement. “If we improve a few areas like Woodland [Avenue], but the rest fall short, have we really succeeded?” said Annis-Dixon. Franchesca Fenzi is a senior at Carnegie Mellon University
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February 2012
Reassessments may bring most tax bills down
order barring Fitzgerald from using the old values for 2012 taxes as he than the average. had promised, until the court had Within hours of being released, made its decision. the county saw fallout from the new Common Pleas Senior Judge R. numbers. Stanton Wettick Jr. made a ruling “It is time to stop the on Jan. 12 that approved Pittsburgh reassessment madness. This chaotic Public Schools’ request to use the reassessment process has caused 2002-based tax numbers for another panic among homeowners, small year, which will give homeowners business owners and all taxpayers, time to file formal appeals. creating a widespread fear that A study done by University people, especially seniors and of Pittsburgh Urban those who can Studies Professor least afford it, Christopher Briem he will be taxed showed that with the out of their reassessment newly reassessed values, homes,” said out of three home kind of writes two Mayor Luke owners would pay less Ravenstahl in a real estate tax. the story of statement. According to As redvelopment in Briem, only 25 percent assessments are of the parcels in the the city a county rather City will see a tax than City issue, -Christopher increase of 10 percent Ravenstahl is or more, though he Briem not directly noted that the Mexican involved, but War Streets is one of encourages the areas that would see Pittsburghers the increases. to continue their appeals. Briem noted that the So many homeowners reassessment “kind of writes the throughout the City filed for appeals story of redevelopment in the city that the call lines were jammed of Pittsburgh we almost universally and the City had to bring in extra shout out as a positive story, except operators to help field calls and now when it comes to taxation.” schedule appeals. On January 5, Analysis of the 2011 and 2012 Pittsburgh Public School district numbers by RealSTATs also found asked the court to delay the use of that taxes will go down for most the 2012 numbers until 2013. residents, but believed Briem’s Before the court made a estimations were overly optimistic. decision, County Executive Rich RealSTATs estimated that only Fitzgerald announced that he was 62 percent would see a tax decrease throwing out the 2012 numbers. or an increase less than 10 percent. Within 24 hours, the court issued an
From Reassessments, page 1
“[T
Photo courtesy Chris Briem
The green dots on this map show land parcels where owners will see tax increases of 50 percent or more, according to Pitt Professor Christopher Briem.
]
.”
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Canning: ‘Look to see to remember’ history
Photo courtesy John Canning
An old medallion with George Washington’s face on it that was found in the Central Northside. By John Canning Joseph Fitzpatrick, the former Art Supervisor at Pittsburgh Public Schools periodically visited the art classrooms at John Morrow School back in the ’50s. He was quite the dapper fellow and, we later learned, quite an artist in his own right. It seemed that in almost every visit he made to our class, he would talk to us about broadening our understanding of art in all of its many forms. His regular word of advice was to “look to see to remember.” A recent visit to The Warhol brought this advice to mind. In the exhibit focusing on the comic book art of Alex Ross, there was a painting of Norman Rockwell, one of the artists who contributed to Ross’s artistic development. Rockwell’s work, “The Connoisseur,” depicted the image of a conservatively dressed ( grey flannel suit type) middle-aged man holding a Homburg hat ( think Eisenhower) and a copy of a newspaper looking at a very abstract painting of Jackson Pollock – quite a contrast. I wondered if the man in Rockwell’s work was looking to see to remember. Fitzpatrick’s advice of over a half century ago pertains to how we respond to most of life’s
experiences. A few years back a team of avid artifact collectors set about he task of “digging out” a series of outhouse pits in the backyards of “Nuttell Row” on the west side of Monterey Street between Sampsonia Way and Jacksonia Street. The homes there were probably constructed in the late 1860s by Robert Nuttell as rental housing for working-class families, known in that era as “mechanics.” Every two dwellings shared an outdoor privy. These were no simple holes in the ground. They were bricklined and 40-some feet deep. During the mid-19th century urban sprawl in Allegheny City, outhouses were more common than indoor facilities, especially for “mechanic” classes. In the process of collecting old bottles (one pit had a great stack of ginger beer bottles), pottery shards and sundry other artifacts, the team working on a site adjacent to our yard came upon a real find. It was a very large and complete ceramic medallion containing a relief image of George Washington. The collectors were ecstatic over this find, and we neighbors were amazed. All looked to see to remember. The question arose: “Were medallions like this in other parts of the Northside?”
I recalled seeing a similar work high on the facade of a double house on Cedar Avenue in Historic Deutschtown. The elaborate facade of the double house built by the Huckestein brothers incorporated the ceramic relief of a classical face. Given the nature of the Huckestein brothers’ businesses, brewing and distilling, that image might have indeed been an ancient symbol of that trade. My thoughts recalled similar statements in stone and ceramic found in various Northside neighborhoods: the horse head carving above the entrance to a late 19th century teamster’s stable on Lowrie Street, the functionless but fascinating gargoyles on the Calvary Methodist Church, the smiling faces carved in the 1890s into the facade of Charles and Hannah Zeugschmidt’s row houses on Buena Vista Street and those grotesque ceramics incorporated into the designs of the Memorial Hall of the Western Theological Seminary (now CCAC) as well as into the 1930 Allegheny General Hospital tower. All of these bits and pieces are part of this wonderful Northside story if we just take the time to “look to see to remember.”
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Bus cuts threaten Fineview and Manchester
A 35 percent service cut could leave two Northside neighborhoods, without business districts, public transportation for residents.
From Bus Cuts page 1 state funding for transportation, including roads, bridges and mass transit,” said Heather Pharo, Port Authority spokeswoman. “This isn’t something we want to do, and we are hopeful that a solution can be found and such drastic cuts can be avoided,” Public transportation advocates across the City have said described the potential cuts as “crushing” and “city-crippling.” Last spring, Governor Tom Corbett appointed a Transportation Funding Advisory Commission to address the state’s transportation funding crisis. In August of 2011, the commission recommended combined stable and consistent funding sources, streamlined operations, efficiency improvements and new tools to help transportation systems statewide. Spokeswoman Kelli Roberts with Corbett’s office said there is
currently no plan to address the commission’s recommendations separately from the rest of the state’s budget. “The governor is continuing to look at those recommendations, said Roberts, “keeping them in context with the economy and what taxpayers can afford right now.” It is estimated that if in effect, the commission’s recommendations would cost taxpayers about $11 a month in additional taxes. Fineview Citizen Council President Melissa Gallagher said the service cut would be especially detrimental to Fineview because many of its residents are elderly, disabled or low-income and rely on public transportation to grocery shop, go to doctors’ appointments and fulfill other basic needs. “For the residents of Fineview, the bus is not just a way to get downtown, it is also lifeline to work and school. Fineview does not have a business district and due to the
topography of our neighborhood, most of our residents cannot walk to East Street, East Ohio Street or the Perrysville #8 Bus Route,” said Gallagher, who uses the 11 Fineview daily to commute to her office Downtown. She said the cuts will be a financial hardship on her family because she will pay $13.75 to $20 to park Downtown each day compared to the $4.50 she would have spent on bus fair, and the value of their home will go down as it is no longer on a bus line. “I believe this is where we need the dedicated funding from the state level since the transit systems are crucial to the infrastructure of our cities,” she said. “I hope the Transit Authority will reconsider keeping some morning and evening routes from Fineview to Downtown and back. Manchester Citizen’s Cooproration echoed these sentiments
“It’s common sense. People need busses,” said Ashley Jarret of Manchester Citizens Corporation. She noted that Manchester also does not have a nearby grocery store or business district, which makes public transportation a necessity for elderly residents and for those without cars. Pharo said that the Port Authority takes many factors into consideration when cutting routes that include a route’s ridership, operating costs, productivity and availability of an alternate service. She said that some 11 Fineview riders may be able to take the 8 Perrysville bus and some 18 Manchester riders may be able to take the 13 Bellevue, 15 Charles, 16 Brighton routes or ride the T from Allegheny Station into Downtown which will open in March. “There were simply no easy decisions to be made, and many popular and well-used routes will be cut under this proposal,” said Pharo. “There’s no more fat to trim in our route system; unfortunately, there isn’t a single route that won’t see a reduction of some kind if we’re forced to make these cuts.” While protests are happening throughout the city and leaflets are being passed out at Downtown bus stops, concerned riders may contact local state senators to advocate for state funding. “Many community organizations have stepped up to advocate for reliable transit funding,” said Pharo. “We encourage riders to learn more and get involved. KeepPGHMoving. com is a good place to start.” The Port Authority board will vote on the service reductions on April 27, and if passed the cuts will take effect in September. Port Authority will hold a public hearing on February 29 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and will collect comments online and by mail Feb. 5 through March 9.
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Sarah Heinz House receives grant from JCPenney By Sarag Reagle One out of every four children in the United States is left unattended between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. each weekday. With a grant from JCPenney, Pittsburgh youth will have a chance to better this ratio with an opportunity to attend an afterschool program at the Sarah Heinz House Boys & Girls Club. The Sarah Heinz House Boys & Girls Club received a $7,500 access grant from JCPenney. This grant will help provide children with the opportunity to attend an afterschool program at the Sarah Heinz House. “The more kids that get involved are more kids that are off the streets and in a structured environment. They come here right after school and get homework help, free meals, free snacks,” said Bob Bechtold, Director of Recruitment and Outreach at Sarah Heinz House. “They’re in a positive place.” The grant will specifically target families whose children who are not currently enrolled in an afterschool
Photo by Kaitlin Balmert Sarah Heinz House will offer more after school programming with a recent grant from JCPenney. program or those who are on the verge of withdrawing due to financial hardship. According to Bechtold, 27 children will benefit from the grant with scholarships to cover
membership and program fees. Three of those children already had memberships and would’ve been forced to resign from the program without this grant. The grant will also support
operational costs. The Sarah Heinz House has added new staff members to aid recently added programs. Typical programs at Sarah Heinz House start at 4:30 p.m., but a new program was added that starts at 3 p.m. to cover children who come immediately after school. This daily program bridges that gap so students get right into structured activities upon entering the building. The Sarah Heinz House offers an affordable afterschool program to over 1,000 youth annually. It features adult role models who work with children to foster social, physical and academic development. This grant is part of a larger, multi-million dollar distribution from JCPenney that benefits Boys & Girls Clubs of America, YMCA, National 4-H and FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). Sarah Reagle is a senior at the University of Pittsburgh. She writes columns for The Pitt News and is an editor at Collision Literary Magazine.
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February 2012
St. Nicholas Parish files a second appeal for economic hardship By Kelsey Shea St. Nicholas Parish of Millvale filed a second appeal of the court’s denial of their application of financial hardship that would have allowed them to tear down their old church in Troy Hill. Though the parish is still in conversation with the Northside Leadership Conference about the sale and conversion of the historic church into an immigrant museum, both parties say there have been no drastic interruptions. “We’re keeping our options open,” said Father Whalen, who runs the Millvale Parish. Mark Fatla, Executive Director of the NSLC, said that the two parties have the biggest issues in the agreement solved, such as the price of contingency of a geotechnical study on the hillside. St. Nicholas parish is now located in Millvale, where they only have around 225 regular parishioners and not enough money to maintain two historical buildings. This summer, the parish applied for a permit to tear down the Northside building, which the court denied the
request because the building is an historic landmark. The Northside building has cost the church $70,000 since 2004 when the building closed, and Father Whalen estimates that currently 20 to 25 percent of the offertory funds go into maintaining the old church. “We just don’t have the money,” said Father Whalen, who noted that their Millvale location was on the national and city register of historic places and is the home of the parish’s famous murals. “The church in Millvale is worth saving, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
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February 2012
North Shore Connector and trolley history
Local trolley expert, Bryant Schmude offers a brief history of Northside rail transportation half a century before the North Shore Connector.
Photo courtesy Edward Miller
A 1942 Pittsburgh streamliner-type T car #1676 climbs Itin Street near Geohring Street on the route #5-SPRING HILL light rail line with ease. By Bryant Schmude Early in January 2012, the North Shore Connector T traveled through the new tunnels below the bed of the Allegheny River. It passed through the unfinished North Side Subway Station near PNC Park before emerging onto the elevated trackway which parallels Heinz Field leading to the new Allegheny T Station. This discreet test run of the controversial North Shore Connector marked a rather overlooked footnote in Northside history. It marked the first time in 46 years since a powered electric trolley car traveled on tracks on Pittsburgh’s Northside. Who would have believed back in April 1966, when the last of the Northside’s great T system was shut down, that a new-age system would be reborn almost 50 years later? Countless Northsiders grew up here with no concept of the vast T system that once existed. Before the mid-1960s, electric T lines were operating
in all of the United States was also found right here for many decades. The track that carried T Route 21-Fineview from Federal Street up the 12.9 percent grade of Henderson Street was steeper than any other U.S. trolley grade without cables or cog-tracks. Over a century ago, the area where today’s Heinz Field and River’s Casino now sit, was a segment of Allegheny City known as Old Rebecca. There was actually a T route called the Route 20-Rebecca until 1951. It ran over the Manchester Bridge—the pier of which now houses the Fred Roger’s statue— and ran through Rebecca to the Manchester “T” Yards. This new T line has the best potential for future extensions further into the Northside, the North Hills and to the West Hills and airport corridor. Likewise, a dedicated source
of funding for transit operations is vital for this region’s future well-being. Let me further add that the original web of T lines were lost not because they were “out dated” or “old fashioned” as some people think. They were lost due to the influence of the anti-rail efforts of the oil and auto industry on the political powers, especially after World War II. While Pittsburgh’s Northside said goodbye to the original trolleys through the mid1960’s, ultra-modern new systems were being reborn all over Europe and Asia. Bryant Schmude is a descendent of the Schmudes who settled in the Woods Run Valley in the 1890s. He currently works at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum Railway, 1 Museum Road, Washington, Pa. 15301. You can contact him via e-mail at mrconductor2010@yahoo.com .
throughout much of the Northside, North Hills and far beyond. Trolleys ran on tracks once found on the 6th, 7th, 9th and 16th street bridges. These T links reached up into Troy Hill, Mount Troy, Spring Hill, Perry Hilltop and Brighton Heights. Other T lines carried the trolleys to Spring Garden, the Charles Street Valley, Woods Run and out to West View, Etna and far beyond. It was a system of fast, energy-efficient and non-polluting rapid transit. One of the country’s earliest electric T lines was opened in Allegheny City in 1888. You could say it was the original North Shore Connector. It connected lower Federal Street with the Perry Hilltop. The success of this speedy line led to many others during the 1890s. Let me add that this new North Shore Connector’s track gauge— that is the distance between the Photo courtesy Edward Miller rails on which the wheels sit on the In 1963 this #13-EMSWORTH via California Avenue “T” pauses track—is exactly the same 5-footat the intersection of Federal Street and East Ohio Street. 2 ½” as the original Northside trolleys of decades ago. The steepest regular T line
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Benefit concert helps victims of Moterey fire From Fire, page 5 “By the end of the night we were just shy of 100 people,” says Reverend D.V. McFarland, of AUUC. “I never imagined that many people would be there. It was very nice and I appreciated every second of it,” said Nisha who attended the concert on January 15. The idea for the concert was based on past participation of the community amidst the hardship of one of its own. “We hosted one here for Kerry Kennedy when his flower shop burned [on] New Years Eve 2010, so it came to mind right away,” says McFarland. “I talked with Kerry and other neighbors, and it all came together.” The concert featured the Ortner-Roberts Duo, City Asylum
writers Khet Mar and Israel Centeno, and the church’s musician, amongst others . Nisha and her family recently moved out of state into a three bedroom home after long time plans to move out of Pittsburgh. I figured now would be the best time, if any,” she said. The Diggs family plans on relocating back to the neighborhood. “They love the Northside,” says Diggs Jr. “[They’re] still staying strong. They got a lot to go through right now, it just takes time.” Karin Baker is a student at the University of Pittsburgh. She has been a resident of the City of Pittsburgh for four years.
Newly built Central NS Manchester to get new homes sell playground From Columbus Square, page 11
From KaBoom, page 9
continue building in phases of five or six houses at a time, depending on presales. The total of 31 houses should be complete in three to five years. Fourth River Development partners with Manchester Citizen’s Corporation for the Columbus Square project. Other stakeholders for the project include the Northside Community Development Fund, the City of Pittsburgh, Urban Redevelopment Authority, PNC Bank, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewage Authority, Commonwealth of PA and the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County.
exists in the Northside at the Alpine Parklet between Alpine Avenue and Jacksonia Street. Volunteers for this project will include members of the Mayor’s Office, DCNR and Highmark employees and their families; but members of the community will also be able to help. “Highmark is happy to give Pittsburgh children a great safe place to play outdoors. We are also pleased that our employees will be involved in the Build Day of the playground construction,” said Mary Anne Papale, Highmark’s Director of Community Affairs. The project will be funded in large part by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and is a part of Mayor Ravenstahl’s servePGH initiative.
Sarah Reagle is a senior at The University of Pittsburgh. She writes columns for The Pitt News and is an editor at Collision Literary Magazine.
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Allegheny West J. Andrew Wolfinger to James and Margaret McNamara at 812 Beech Ave. for $235,000. Daniel George Khalil Jr. to Domer Development LLC at 846-848 N. Lincoln Ave. for $360,000. Brighton Heights Brighton Road Presbyterian Church trustee to Destiny Faith Inc. at 3737 Brighton Road for $200,000. Michele Smith to Peter Bianchi at 109 Harbison Place for $82,900. Martha Davis to Daniel and Luisa Plazek at 1860 Perrott St. for $105,000. Mollie Jackson to Fortune Foreclosures LLC at 3408 California Ave. for $20,000. Dawn Stellabotte to US Bank NA trustee at 1548 Cooper Ave. for $2,979 by sheriff ’s deed. Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority to Pittsburgh Housing Development Corp. at 3339 McClure Ave. for $4,500.
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Carolyn Fratto et al. to Dale Myers and Yvonne Keever at 624 Woods Run Ave. for $40,000. Richard Spuhler to Patrick Joseph McGrath at 1618 Antrim St. for $5,000. Dawn Olivia MacLeod to Paul William Brophy Jr. at 1101 Etola St. for $76,000. Robert Tunney to Riverside Confidence Property Group LLC at 1146 Termon Ave. for $41,000. Brightwood US Bank NA trustee to Kristin Joliat at 1216 Ingham St. for $40,500. Denise Lundy Derbish to Realty Choice Investments LLC at 3113 Wadlow St. for $29,000. Estate of Marcella Etzel to Kevin Morrow at 3001 Cake Way for $20,000. Great Things LLC to Tyler Folnsbee at 1129 Ridgeland Drive for $55,000. Federal National Mortgage Assn. to First Apollo Bay Inc. at 1210
Thelma St. for $12,250. California-Kirkbride Pittsburgh City to David and Frances Williams at 1809 Brighton Place for $4,000. Central Northside Karen Steer to Coswyn LLC et al. at 1202 Federal St. for $60,000. Matthew Krupp to Edward Michael Gallagher Jr at 107 Alpine Ave. for $7,000. North Avenue LLC to Mark Puzas Jr. at 1503 Federal St. for $212,270. Anderson Bailey to Curtis Wadsworth at 1532 Garfield Ave. for $210,000. James Lawrence to ESIIC Investments LLC at 1500 Boyle St. for $40,000. Robert Lichy et al. to KAG Ltd. LLC at 1201 Wolfrum St. for $240,000. David Tipton to Keith Farrell at 1218 Buena Vista St. for $245,000. Kirk Burkley to Chad Fisher and Shara Gleason at 206 W. North Ave.
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for $352,500. Chad Fisher to Christopher and Lori Wright at 402 Jacksonia St. for $263,000. Charles Street Valley Estate of Robert Depner Jr. to Imperial Enterprises LLC at 1930 Brighton Road for $50,000. East Deutschtown Northside Leadership Conference to Community Alliance Spring Garden East De at Chestnut St. for $1 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $6,435). ATL Holdings LLC to JWT Master LLC at 843-845 Tripoli St. for $16,500. Raul Carerras to Realty Choice Investments LLC at 841 Vista St. for $15,000. Fineview Donald Marshall Jr. to Sarah Marie Marshall at 1703 Warren St. for $10,000.
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Historic Deutschtown Kareem Gahed to James John and Katie Marie Gusella at 526 Avery St. for $179,900. William Aupperle Jr. to Abigail Henderson at 603 Avery St. for $32,000. Inderjit Sidhu et al. to Zachary Kirkpatrick and Rebecca McAdams at 521 Suismon St. for $70,000. Inderjit Sidhu et al. to Zachary Kirkpatrick and Rebecca McAdams at 523 Suismon St. for $70,000. James Swartz to Craig Boyd at 912 Cedar Ave. for $350,000. Manchester Manchester Housing Development LLC to Betty and Albert Walker at 1322 Columbus Ave. for $100,000. Brookview Rehab Funding LLC to JABE Properties LLC at 1102 North Ave. W and Bidwell St. for $36,000. Federal National Mortgage Assn. to TRW Eagle LLC et al. at 1219 Juniata St. for $35,000. Federal National Mortgage Assn. to
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Steen Day Super Fun Inc. at 1221 Juniata St. and 1230 Rush St. for $34,000. David Priselac to Teddy and Barbara Adair at 1501-1503 Sedgwick St. for $43,000. Amtrust REO 1 LLC to Wyst Investments LLC at 1415 Sedgwick St. for $16,500. Estate of Wilma Jackon to Northwest Savings Bank at 1443 W. North Ave. for $1,761 by sheriff ’s deed. Observatory Hill Selina Schultz to Matthew Phillips at 3351 Portola St. for $1 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $26,969). Said Saad to Deirdre Hall at 117 Bonvue St. for $55,000. Rowland Bynum to John Lenoski at 3801 Perrysville Ave. for $99,900. Union Commonwealth LLC to John Rooke at 12-14 Bonvue St. for $15,000. Lawrence Harris to Cartus Financial
Corp. at 125 Richey Ave. for $170,000. Cartus Financial Corp. to Loren Jensen and Robin Carroll at 125 Richey Ave. for $170,000. Perry Hilltop United Midwest Savings Bank to Slam Home Properties LLC at 1954 Perrysville Ave. for $24,000. Pittsburgh City to Douglas Freeman Jr. at 134 W. McIntyre Ave. for $7,900. Earl Bohn to Colleen McLaughlin and Andrew Sulka at 705 Chautauqua Court for $24,500. Go Invest Wisely LLC to Green Clover Property LLC at 2225 Perrysville Ave. for $124 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $58,500). Frances Baird to Equity Trust Co. Cust FBO Robert G Main I at 703 Chautauqua Court for $20,600. Graham Street Partn. LLC to Walz Street Ventures LLC at 2300 Wilson Ave. for $203,000.
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Spring Garden Estate of Albert Chiccitt Jr. to Rabia Hassan El Haj Benali at 1002 Spring Garden Ave. for $12,000.
Spring Hill Roy Wolfe to Christian Ambriz at 28 Solar St. for $8,000.
Troy Hill Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to Mark Monahan at 1345 Lowrie St. for $8,100. Estate of Helen Staek to Eric Schueler at 1352 Goettman St. for $31,500. Judith Prom to Christine Lynne LLC at 1331 Lowrie St. for $21,500. Linda Berkheiser to Realty Choice Investments LLC at 1809 Rialto St. for $23,000. Real Estate Transactions provided by <RealSTATs>. Contact <RealSTATs> at 412-381-3880 or visit www.RealSTATs.net.
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From the office of State Sen. Adam Ravenstahl
LIHEAP heating
Old Man Winter has settled in, and it looks like he’ll be here for a while. Temperatures have dropped, and unfortunately, home-heating bills have risen for many families. The higher bills are putting a strain on many household budgets. But people do not need to be left out in the cold. Help paying heating bills is available for many families through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, commonly known as LIHEAP. LIHEAP offers two types of grants and the amount of each type of grant depends on income, household size, type of heating fuel and region of the state. Cash grants help families pay regular monthly heating bills. Crisis grants are available to pay for heating emergencies such as a broken furnace, a fuel shortage or utility service shutoff. To qualify, a household of one can earn up to $16,335, while a family of four can earn up to $33,525 and qualify. LIHEAP grants do not have to be paid back. The names
of every person living in a household, their dates of birth, Social Security numbers, proof of income and a recent heating bill are required to apply. Applications are available in my office at 3689 California Ave., in Brighton Heights. Please stop by if you would like help filling out the forms. You can call my office at 412321-5523. You also can apply online at www. humanservices.state. pa.us/compass.web. The deadline to apply is March 30. However, you should apply early for the program. LIHEAP funding is limited due to federal cuts to the program, and the funds may run out before the program deadline comes. If you can’t benefit from this program, but know someone who can, please pass along this information so they don’t get left out in the cold this winter. If you want tips about energy savings, visit the Public Utility Commission’s website at www.puc.state.pa.us.
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From the office of State Sen. Wayne Fontana
Success at Columbus Square Recently, the Manchester Citizens Corporation and Fourth River Development hosted several open houses at the Columbus Square housing development in Manchester to showcase a neighborhood taking shape. I am pleased to report that tremendous progress on the project has been made. Led by the Manchester Citizens Corporation, I am proud to have played a part in this community effort by providing significant state funding for this project. The Columbus Square housing development is a project that, after several years of planning, is transforming a vacant industrial brownfield in Manchester into a new community of homes. Soon, new residents will begin moving into Manchester
as sales agreements have been reached on multiple homes. In addition, ground will be broken on three new homes in the very near future. When this project concludes, 31 new homes will be constructed, creating a vibrant neighborhood in an area where industry packed up and left long ago. The Columbus Square development is a significant project for Manchester and the city of Pittsburgh for it is rebuilding a
community. Moreover, market values in Manchester will rise, the tax base will increase, and jobs will have been created. Transforming a vacant brownfield that once served as an industrial base into a community of homes proves what can be done when government makes an investment in economic development and works together with the private sector and an engaged community. Congratulations to the Manchester Citizens Corporation and all the community, business and
government partners that helped make this vision a reality! In my role as Minority Chair of the Senate’s Economic, Community and Recreational Development Committee, I will continue to advocate for economic development funding at the state level for projects that produce significant community benefit, like this did. Government does have a role to play in economic development and the Columbus Square project is a perfect example of how to leverage government funding to spur private development. Senator Wayne D. Fontana 42nd Senatorial District www.senatorfontana.com
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From the office of City Council President Darlene Harris
Here’s to a positive and productive 2012! We have hit the ground running in 2012 and are working hard to make sure the residents of District 1 and the Northside continue to have an advocate for them in City Council. Recently, I went with members of the administration to New York City to work on upgrading Pittsburgh’s bond rating. Along with the Mayor’s office, we negotiated a strong bond rating that indicates the vitality of our local economy. As a result, our city will secure savings, achieve stable footing and continue to develop and finish much needed local neighborhood projects. I believe that Council and the Mayor speaking as one voice about how great Pittsburgh is and how well we are fairing financially through the current economy helped to influence the upgrades. When we were at their offices, Standards & Poor downgraded the entire country of France and several other European communities. I think being considered stable to S&P should also be considered a victory. I also recently met with the Mayor about prioritizing the projects District 1 neighborhoods would like to see in the Northside. It was a positive meeting and I look forward to working with the Mayor’s office to make sure these projects become a reality for both the neighborhoods I represent and the entire city. So far this winter has been fairly calm for the residents of Pittsburgh. But, with the unpredictable weather that we are all accustomed to snow can occur at anytime. If you should have questions or concerns of city activities related to snow removal or other weather related issues please contact my office for assistance. Also, the city’s Snow Angels program pairs volunteers with elderly or disabled residents in their neighborhood who they will assist with snow removal after each snow storm for the winter season. To sign up for the Snow Angels program call: 412255-2280. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and holiday season and I look forward to continue to serve you to the best of my ability. Sincerely, City Council President Darlene M. Harris
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February 2012
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The Game Page Last Month’s Puzzle Solutions First published in a U.S. puzzle magazine in 1979, Sudoku caught on in Japan in 1986, and became internationally famous in 2005. The aim of Sudoku is to enter a number from 1 through 9 in each space on a 9×9 grid made up of 3×3 subgrids (called “regions”). Some of the numbers have already been given. You may not use the same number twice in a single row, column, or region of the grid. Completing the puzzle requires patience and logical ability.
Crossword puzzles provided by www. bestcrosswords.com / Used with permission.
Chronicle Crossword Across 1- Lays down the lawn; 5- Hog fat; 9- Domingo, for one; 14- Journey; 15Bones found in the hip; 16- Hoist; 17- Horizontal flow of air; 19- Violinist Mischa; 20- Sound again, again; 21- Layers; 23- College letter earners; 25- Clean air org.; 26- Hawaiian food; 29- Golfer Ernie; 30- Embroidery upon canvas; 33- Moisten while cooking; 34- Grommet; 35- Record with a VCR; 38- Big Blue; 40- Now ___ me down...; 41- Ancient Palestinian; 44- Otic; 47- Bladder worm; 49- Genetic messenger; 52- Riled (up); 53- Against a proposition; 54Impediments; 56- Gannet; 58- Sea god; 59- Wise ones; 62- Girl who leads a marching band; 64- Fine fiddle; 65- Biblical birthright seller; 66- Digits of the foot; 67- Chip dip; 68- Rules; 69- Goes astray; Down 1- Go hungry; 2- Severe experience; 3- Sundry; 4- Glasses, briefly; 5- Understatement; 6- Boxer Laila; 7- Civil disturbance; 8- Hebrew prophet; 9- Treatment of disease; 10- Electric fish; 11- Where some vets served; 12- Eggs; 13- Cartoon dog; 18- Porcelain tableware; 22- Blunted blade; 24- Abominable snowman; 26- Tablet; 27- Draft classification; 28- ___-bitty; 31- Prohibit; 32- Trompe l’___; 33- Sugar source; 35- PC expert; 36- ___ sow, so shall...; 37- Attention-getter; 39- Great in quantity; 42- Capital of Cyprus; 43- Earth Day subj.; 45- Destructive; 46- Fall bloomer; 48- Tooth covering; 49- Daniel Webster, e.g.; 50- Asexual; 51- Evaluate; 55- Minotaur’s home; 56- Goes down; 57- American space agency; 59- Airline to Oslo; 60- Doc bloc; 61- Guy’s partner; 63- Tooth-bearing bone;
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Sudoku