Wilkinsburg severs ties with borough development group over annexation debate

Wilkinsburg Borough Council has voted to sever all ties with the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation, the organization calling for Pittsburgh to annex the neighboring borough.

The Wilkinsburg CDC — which initially was tasked with revitalizing Wilkinsburg’s main business corridor when it was formed in 2008 — has “failed in its partnership with the borough,” Wilkinsburg officials wrote in a statement.

Wilkinsburg Borough Council said the money the nonprofit was using to campaign for the annexation should have been spent to “charitably benefit the community of Wilkinsburg.” Council called for an investigation into their financing and their use of funds meant for charitable purposes. Their resolution called on the borough solicitor to request the Pennsylvania Attorney General and Auditor General to lead those investigations.

In a statement, Wilkinsburg officials said the unelected nonprofit group used grant and foundation money “to petition for and publicize a political process to remove Wilkinsburg Borough from the map.”

They also said the organization refused to present their case before Borough Council. In their resolution, council members said the group was spreading misleading information.

Wilkinsburg Borough Council in February called on the CDC to cease and desist their efforts, though that request was ignored.

The Wilkinsburg CDC over the summer circulated a petition among Wilkinsburg residents, aiming to garner support for a measure that would allow Pittsburgh to annex Wilkinsburg. They submitted that petition to a judge in early December.

If the judge approves the petition, it would go to Pittsburgh City Council for approval. If Pittsburgh City Council votes in favor of the proposed annexation, it would appear as a referendum on the ballot for Wilkinsburg voters.

Wilkinsburg Borough Council has largely opposed the measure, with several members speaking out against it during a meeting with Pittsburgh City Council. Wilkinsburg leaders have cited concerns about longer emergency response times, less diverse representation and a loss of Wilkinsburg’s community identity.

Two members of the Wilkinsburg council have offered their support, saying it would be an opportunity to revitalize Wilkinsburg.

Members of Pittsburgh City Council said there were many unanswered questions about the proposal, which would involve merging school districts, taking on Wilkinsburg’s debt and redistricting school board and City Council districts.

City Controller Michael Lamb, however, said it would be a good opportunity to bolster the city’s waning population numbers and increase its tax base.