Nov. 2019 Est. 1985
The Northside Chronicle
“Garden Installation” hints at eclectic NS history
Volume 35 Issue 11 - FREE -
The Community Newspaper of Pittsburgh’s Historic Northside
By Amy George Many old buildings throughout Pittsburgh hold clues that point to their versatile histories. The Mattress Factory is one of them. Its clue? The brick window wall in its outdoor garden. Today, dark green ivy dances across the picturesque wall in overgrown tendrils. The wall’s red bricks lack luster from decades exposed to the elements. But Winifred Lutz, the artist who created the wall as part of a larger project on the museum site called “Garden Installation,” once had a vision. According to an artist statement on her website, Lutz designed the Garden to “uncover the urban and
Photo by David S. Rotenstein
Dirty Dozen 2019: Cyclists rest on Lowrie Street in front of Artist Phil Seth's "Troy Hill Incline Co." mural after racing up Rialto Street. Reportedly on a 24% grade, Rialto is one of Pittsburgh's steepest hills that make up the Dirty Dozen race course. More photos from the Oct. 26 event at www.nschronicle.com.
Northside native leaves her impact By Alexis Draut
Photo courtesy of Winifred Lutz
The window wall, part of Artist Winifred Lutz' "Garden Installation" on the Mattress Factory grounds. See MF, Page 7
INSIDE
The late Dorothy Richardson, a Northsider who spurred a nationwide movement for safe and affordable housing, was honored in October with an official State Historical Marker. “Dorothy was a woman who didn’t take no for an answer,” said Jason Tigano, board of directors’ president of NeighborWorks Western Pennsylvania (NWWPA). “In Pittsburgh, we talk about Carnegie and Mellon and Mr. Rog-
ers and here was a Black woman in the 1960s who said ‘I’m gonna do this thing,’ and did it.” Tigano was one of approximately 120 people who gathered in Pittsburgh’s Northside on Oct. 16 to celebrate the unveiling of an official State Historical Marker honoring the legacy of Pittsburgh social activist Dorothy Mae Richardson, who helped found NeighborWorks America. This year marks the 50th anniversary celebration of a NeighborWorks charter in Western Pennsylvania, encompassing the Pitts-
ONLINE
burgh area. Richardson was a longtime Northside resident, and in the 1960s when the government threatened to demolish her community of Charles Street Valley for the sake of development, she fought to save it, according to Tigano. Richardson worked with neighbors, politicians and bank officials to create affordable housing opportunities for low-income neighborhoods. She founded Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) in 1968, See NeighborWorks, Page 6
- Latest Northside news - Brighton Hts. Business District, Page 5 STORIES, COLUMNS, - The Shop Small Guide, Page 15 WWW.THENORTHSIDE - Weekly real estate transfers FEATURES & MORE - MCG Youth & Arts, Page 29 CHRONICLE.COM - Event coverage and photos