Julia Felton stories, Page 42
Residents remain divided on Pittsburgh’s proposed Oakland Crossings development
A Pittsburgh City Council hearing Wednesday on the proposed Oakland Crossings development revealed that some residents remain divided on the project, despite efforts by Mayor Ed Gainey to reach a compromise between the developers and concerned residents. Walnut Capital, the Shadyside developer that revitalized Bakery Square, has sought a zoning...
Pittsburgh Art Commission denies proposal for Jane Seymour sculpture on Mt. Washington
Pittsburgh’s Art Commission on Wednesday denied a proposal to place a sculpture by actress Jane Seymour on Mt. Washington’s Grandview Avenue Overlook. The proposed bronze statue would depict Seymour’s open heart design, which is best known from the Kay Jewelers Open Hearts jewelry collection. An anonymous donor offered to fund...
Proposal to allow youth groups to camp in Pittsburgh parks moves forward
Pittsburgh City Council on Wednesday advanced legislation that would allow youth groups to camp in city parks. The measure would allow youth organizations to secure permits to camp in city parks, something that isn’t allowed now, said Kathryn Vargas, director of the Department of Parks and Recreation. “Right now, if...
Scouts adorn veterans’ graves with American flags at Memorial Park Cemetery
To commemorate Memorial Day, scouts placed more than 4,000 American flags on veterans’ graves at Memorial Park Cemetery in McCandless. It’s a tradition for Boy Scout Troop 329 — which meets at Memorial Park Church — that dates back more than 50 years, said Brian Collery, who serves as assistant...
New study urges Pennsylvania to improve recycling efforts
A report released Wednesday said Pennsylvania should require curbside pickup for common recyclables such as glass and plastic and recommit itself to educating the public about the importance of recycling. The goal is to “get Pennsylvania back on track as a leader in recycling and waste reduction,” said Sarah Alessio...
Restoration project to National Negro Opera House underway in Homewood
The National Negro Opera House in Homewood will be getting a major facelift. Officials on Tuesday held a groundbreaking ceremony at the site on Apple Street to mark the beginning of a multimillion dollar restoration project at the historic landmark. Jonnet Solomon, director of the Steel City Arts Initiative, said...
City Council approves measure to investigate limited-equity housing cooperatives
Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a measure to explore limited-equity housing cooperatives as a way of addressing the city’s affordable housing crisis. “I hope we can start delivering some of that type of housing,” said Council President Theresa Kail-Smith, who co-sponsored the legislation. “This would be one of...
Pittsburgh Budget Director Bill Urbanic retiring
Pittsburgh City Council Budget Director Bill Urbanic is retiring, and the office’s budget manager is leaving for a new position. City Council on Tuesday recognized Urbanic, as well as their budget manager Michael Strelic, who is leaving the city to become the township manager for Ligonier. “We know you are...
Pittsburgh looks to lease new warehouse space for police for $1 million
The city of Pittsburgh is looking to lease a warehouse facility for the bureau of police for about $1 million. The measure was introduced to City Council on Tuesday with no discussion. According to the legislation, the city would enter a lease with WAG 2 LLC for just over $1...
Pittsburgh-based Locomation showcases self-driving truck technology
Pittsburgh-based Locomation, a company developing self-driving trucks, touted its technology Monday when they invited state leaders to tour its Lawrenceville facility. Department of Community and Economic Development Acting Secretary Neil Weaver and Deputy Secretary of Technology and Innovation Steve D’Ettorre visited the site, which has been supported by Gov. Tom...
McCandless Town Manager Robert Grimm leaving his post
McCandless Town Manager Bob Grimm will be leaving his post June 3. “I have enjoyed my time in McCandless and am proud to have guided the organization through the uncertain times of the pandemic and I’ve hopefully helped establish a course of continued financial stability and professional delivery of services...
Airbnb operators urge Pittsburgh City Council to tweak legislation on short-term rentals
Airbnb owners urged Pittsburgh City Council members Thursday to tweak proposed legislation that would regulate Airbnbs and other short-term rental properties. The legislation was introduced after two teenage boys were killed and eight others injured in a shooting at an Airbnb rental property in the city’s North Side early on...
Proposal would allow recreational camping for youth groups in Pittsburgh’s parks
Pittsburgh City Council is considering a proposal to allow recreational camping by youth groups in city parks. Councilman Bobby Wilson, who sponsored the measure, said he worked with the Outdoor Inclusion Coalition to introduce the bill. “At Riverview Park on the North Side, these organizations are planning to open a...
Developer wants to turn Downtown Pittsburgh warehouse once owned by Mark Cuban into apartments
A Washington, D.C., developer told the Pittsburgh Planning Commission that it wants to begin transforming a Downtown warehouse formerly owned by celebrity billionaire Mark Cuban into an apartment building this summer. Douglas Development Corp. presented its plans Tuesday for the vacant building at 642 Fort Duquesne Blvd., facing the Allegheny...
State Rep. Rob Mercuri of Pine secures GOP nomination in uncontested primary race
First-term state Rep. Rob Mercuri, R-Pine, ran unopposed Tuesday to unofficially secure the Republican nomination in the 28th State House District. No Democrats appeared on the ballot. Mercuri collected more than 7,500 votes on Tuesday, according to unofficial election returns. He won the seat in 2020, replacing Speaker of the...
La’Tasha Mayes poised to win Democratic nomination in 24th State House District
Reproductive rights activist La’Tasha Mayes is poised to secure the Democratic nomination in Pennsylvania’s 24th State House District. As of Wednesday afternoon, Mayes had collected 46.7% of the votes counted compared with recently elected state Rep. Martell Covington’s 37.8% and fair housing activist Randall Taylor’s 15.5%, according to unofficial tallies....
Cindy Kirk secures GOP nomination in 30th State House District
Former Allegheny County Councilwoman Cindy Kirk won her Republican primary race in the 30th State House District by more than a 4-to-1 margin, according to unofficial tallies. As of Wednesday morning, with nearly 98% of precincts reporting results, Kirk had collected more than 81% of the votes counted compared with...
Pittsburgh Opens event aims to draw people Downtown
Editor’s note: The location of Thursday’s event was incorrect in the original version of this story. The second Pittsburgh Opens event — one in a series of gatherings meant to bring people back to the city’s Downtown area — is scheduled to be held Thursday. The event is slated to...
Pittsburgh planners OK new Alcosan chemical storage building along Ohio River
Alcosan has received approval to build a new chemical storage facility at its treatment plant along the Ohio River. Pittsburgh’s Planning Commission approved the plans Tuesday after the authority made some aesthetic improvements to its plans. Alcosan is planning to tear down two existing storage buildings at the site and...
Pittsburgh planners to consider plans for 20-story tower above Downtown’s YWCA building
Plans for a proposed 20-story tower with 300 apartments above the former YWCA of Pittsburgh building in Downtown now include a rooftop pool, two-story restaurant and health club, according to a project architect. City Club Apartments LLC bought the former YWCA of Pittsburgh building at 305 Wood St. for $4...
Aerion Abney leads by wide margin in 19th State House District race
Newly elected state Rep. Aerion Abney led by a wide margin Tuesday over the Rev. Glenn Grayson in a Democratic primary race in the 19th State House District. Abney, 33, of Pittsburgh’s Manchester neighborhood, defeated Grayson, 62, of the Hill District, in an April special election race to complete former...
Chris Deluzio, Jeremy Shaffer stake early leads in Pa.’s 17th Congressional District
Former Ross Township Commissioner Jeremy Shaffer and Iraq War veteran and voting-rights attorney Chris Deluzio staked early leads in their primary races Tuesday in the 17th Congressional District. Shaffer was vying for the Republican nomination against national security expert Jason Killmeyer and Kathy Coder, a former Bellevue councilwoman who owns...
Liberty Bridge in Pittsburgh reopens after garbage truck fire
The Liberty Bridge reopened by 6:30 p.m. after a garbage truck fueled by natural gas caught fire on the span, according to an Allegheny County 911 dispatcher. No injuries were reported in the blaze, the dispatcher said. The bridge closed around 2:30 p.m. and remained closed while it was inspected....
Judge orders hold on Pittsburgh’s rental registry
A judge has ordered a stay on Pittsburgh’s rental registry, a program that was struck down in court once before. This comes as the Apartment Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh is suing the city over the measure, which was set to go into effect on May 29. City Council in November...
Pittsburgh officials seek an easier path to home ownership for residents
Legislation advanced by City Council on Monday looks to explore limited-equity housing cooperatives as a way of addressing the affordable housing crisis in Pittsburgh. Limited-equity housing cooperatives are a kind of collective home ownership, said Councilwoman Deb Gross, who co-sponsored the measure with Council President Theresa Kail-Smith. People invest equity...
