The Northside Chronicle
Residents represent NS at housing meeting By Alyse Horn On Wednesday, September 21, a public hearing was held in Council Chambers at the City County Building, 414 Grant St., to discuss a Housing Opportunity Fund and allow city residents to voice their opinions. The Housing Opportunity Fund would help secure housing for the most economically vulnerable city residents during a time that new development is “increasing housing costs for renters and homeowners,” according to opportunitypgh.org. “To make this vision a reality,
INSIDE
we need to raise $10 million in annual revenue. The fairest way to do this is to create a new one time, assessed at the point of sale, 1% Realty Transfer Tax,” according to the website. Hundreds of Pittsburgh residents attended the meeting, which began at 5:30 p.m. Those who registered before the meeting were given three minutes to address council with their support and concerns with the opportunity fund. Residents who did not register before the meeting were able to speak for one minute. Cynthia Simpson, born and raised on the Northside and
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Volume 31 No. 10
October 2016
Brewery to call Spring Hill home
currently lives in Perry South, said that when she bought her home 20 years ago people who worked hard could “get a good sized home and raise [their] family, but affordable housing is becoming a thing of the past.” Simpson said the homes that she sees being built along the Federal Street extension and elsewhere in the Northside are defined as affordable, but “I could never afford it.” Simpson said she bought her house for $58,000 20 years ago, and today a house two doors down from her is selling for over $129,000.
The roof on the building of 1958 Varley St. has been ripped out and replaced, and now Spring Hill Brewing is ready to embark on the next steps that will take them closer to completion. Greg Kamerdze, owner of the brewery with Mike Seamans, said taking care of electrical issues is what he is focusing on right now. Hopefully by spring, the two will be able to pour concrete on the current dirt floor and start installing equipment
See Housing, Page 7
See Brewing, Page 5
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By Alyse Horn
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