Julia Felton stories, Page 56
Proposal would make it illegal to park in Pittsburgh’s bike lanes
Legislation being considered by Pittsburgh City Council would make it illegal to park in bike lanes. The legislation, introduced by Councilman Bobby Wilson, would add bike lanes to a list of places in the city where drivers aren’t allowed to park. Other spots include in crosswalks, on sidewalks, on railroad...
Shadyside’s Hunt Armory opens as 1st public ice rink built in Pittsburgh in decadesVideo
What was once a National Guard armory in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside will now serve as an indoor ice rink where the city’s youth can discover the sport of hockey. Developed in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Hunt Armory Ice Rink is the first public ice rink to be built in...
Frankie Pace Park dedicated over I-579 as connection between Downtown, Hill DistrictVideo
Officials celebrated a new connection between the Hill District and Downtown Monday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the I-579 cap project and the dedication of the park it created. The $32.3 million Urban Connector, or “Cap” project, once again links Pittsburgh’s Hill District to Downtown. The areas were divided in...
Pittsburgh moves forward with plans to buy North Side property for new Public Works site
Pittsburgh’s Public Works facility in Riverview Park will move to a new site on the North Side, after City Council approved the relocation despite ongoing litigation involving the new property. The Department of Public Works’ First Division will move out of the popular park as some community members have repeatedly...
Pittsburgh City Council adopts ‘environmentally and socially responsible’ procurement practices
Pittsburgh City Council adopted an ordinance Monday requiring the city to engage in what it calls “sustainable and socially responsible” procurement practices. The legislation will require city officials to score potential vendors and service providers on factors including sustainability, diversity and inclusion, in an attempt to ensure the city’s tax...
Proposal would ban single-use plastic bags at Pittsburgh stores in most casesVideo
Single-use plastic bags may be a thing of the past in Pittsburgh, if a proposal to ban them earns City Council’s approval. The legislation, introduced by Councilwoman Erika Strassburger on Monday, would ban plastic bags in most instances. Rather than using the standard plastic grocery bags, shoppers would need to...
Pittsburgh City Council considers removing pension offset for nonunion workers
Certain Pittsburgh city employees who are facing a reduction in pension benefits in their retirement may receive full pension benefits after all, if a proposal before City Council is passed. Currently, a pension offset calls for a reduction in pension payments by 50% once an employee reaches maximum Social Security...
Legislation requiring electronic signatures, ‘socially responsible’ procurement moves closer to approval
A proposal that would require the use of electronic signatures at all city departments, as well as a related measure to ensure the city is engaging in “sustainable and socially responsible” procurement practices could be passed as early as next week, after Pittsburgh City Council advanced the legislation on Wednesday....
Pittsburgh finance director leaving city government for position with PNC Bank
Pittsburgh’s finance director and treasurer will be leaving city government and moving to a new role at PNC Bank, Mayor Bill Peduto announced Friday. Douglas Anderson began working for the city in January 2008 as the deputy controller and chief of staff to City Controller Michael Lamb. Peduto appointed him...
4 students at Pittsburgh’s Brashear High School assaulted police officer, officials say
Four male students at Brashear High School in Pittsburgh’s Beechview neighborhood were detained Thursday after authorities said they assaulted a school police officer. The incident happened while the officer was trying to break up a fight, said Pittsburgh Public Schools spokeswoman Ebony Pugh. Medics were called to the school to...
Proposal would make it illegal for Pittsburgh employers to discriminate against domestic abuse victims
Employers in Pittsburgh would not be able to discriminate against employees because they have been victims of domestic abuse, under a proposal introduced to City Council this week. The measure, introduced by Councilwoman Erika Strassburger, would protect victims of domestic violence from employment and workplace discrimination. Some victims of domestic...
Pittsburgh advances proposal to purchase North Side site for new public works facility
Pittsburgh City Council on Wednesday advanced a measure to move a Department of Public Works facility out of Riverview Park to a new site on the North Side, despite concerns that the proposed site is involved in ongoing litigation regarding a billboard. The proposal calls for moving the Department of...
Pittsburgh pauses office dedicated to immigrants, refugees as mayor departs
Plans to create a new Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs in Pittsburgh were paused Wednesday, after a city council member objected to the idea when the current mayoral administration is in a lame duck period. The proposal, backed by outgoing Mayor Bill Peduto, calls for an office dedicated to...
Pittsburgh council moves ahead with plans on park tax spending
City Council on Wednesday advanced a proposal that would allow Pittsburgh to spend money collected through a controversial park tax. The 0.5 mill tax meant to increase funding for Pittsburgh’s parks earned approval from city voters in 2019. Collection of the tax began this year, though specific plans regarding how...
Park over Pittsburgh’s Crosstown Boulevard will bear name of Hill District activist Frankie Pace
A park over Pittsburgh’s Crosstown Boulevard will be named after the late Hill District activist Frankie Pace. City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the proposal to name the three-acre park in her honor. The park is being built as part of the $32.3 million Interstate 579 “cap” project, which aims...
Pittsburgh’s Roberto Clemente Drive renamed to also honor late wife Vera
Roberto Clemente Drive in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood will officially be renamed to Roberto and Vera Clemente Drive, a nod to the baseball legend’s late wife. Roberto Clemente was a Hall of Fame outfielder for the Pirates who also is remembered for his philanthropic work off the field. The beloved Pittsburgh...
$4.9M redevelopment project planned on Pittsburgh’s North Side
Pittsburgh and the city’s Urban Redevelopment Authority are partnering with the Historic Deutschtown Development Corp. to redevelop three vacant buildings on the North Side’s East Ohio Street in a proposed $4.9 million project. The URA owns properties at 624 and 628 East Ohio St., while the Historic Deutschtown Development Corp....
Peduto proposes legislation to require e-signatures, ‘socially responsible’ procurement practices
Mayor Bill Peduto’s administration has proposed an ordinance to require the use of electronic signatures across all city departments, as well as one that it said would ensure the city is engaging in “sustainable and socially responsible” procurement practices. During the pandemic, the use of electronic signatures on contracts and...
Local officials celebrate construction of newest USS Pittsburgh, Navy Day in the city
Pittsburgh City Controller Michael Lamb held a reception Monday for Navy Rear Admiral Thomas J. Anderson as local officials celebrated the newest ship being named after Pittsburgh while designating Nov. 15 as Navy Day in the city. Anderson, the Navy’s program executive for ships, spoke at the reception about the...
Peduto proposes incorporating electric car charging into city construction, renovation projects
A proposal from Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto would require the city to incorporate electric vehicle charging plans into projects to renovate or build city facilities. Under the Electric Vehicle Readiness Ordinance, new and renovated city-owned facilities would have electrical capacity and equipment installed to support the city’s fleet of electric...
Pittsburgh Christmas tree set for Downtown delivery, prompting road closures
Pittsburgh’s official Christmas tree will be making its debut at the City-County Building’s Grant Street entrance this weekend. The Forestry Division will transport and install the 106th City of Pittsburgh Christmas tree at the site this weekend ahead of a tree lighting ceremony Nov. 20. As officials get the tree...
Pittsburgh, Glasgow finalize sister city partnership
The cities of Pittsburgh and Glasgow, Scotland, finalized their partnership as sister cities Thursday with an in-person ceremony. The meeting between Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto and Leader of Glasgow City Council Susan Aitken came after a virtual signing ceremony last year and formalized the relationship between the cities. Thursday’s meeting...
Family purchases Old Stone Tavern in Pittsburgh’s West End, promises to restore historic landmark
A family has purchased the Old Stone Tavern in Pittsburgh’s West End neighborhood, promising to preserve and restore the historic site, according to city officials. City Council President Theresa Kail-Smith, whose district includes the West End, identified the buyers as Barbara and Steve Porter and their son Robert Porter. They...
Comcast deal would include funding to create media hubs at Pittsburgh rec centers
Pittsburgh’s proposed contract renewal with Comcast would include funding to help create digital media hubs at three of the city’s recreation centers. Under the proposed 10-year agreement, Comcast would support the digital hubs and upgrade the City Channel and PCTV to high definition. Funding would come from an upfront grant...
Pittsburgh Veterans Day parade honors those who served
Pittsburgh’s annual Veterans Day Parade was back in force on Thursday, with representatives of all branches of the military in attendance to honor veterans past and present. “We’re out here to say thank you to those who served before us,” said Master Sgt. Cameron Culliver as he prepared to march...
