I am a retired city planner who attended Morningside Elementary School for seventh and eighth grades. I’m writing to thank you for your recent article about repurposing older schools (“Retirees live it up at retired school buildings,” June 1, TribLive). It’s one of many creative solutions to the national housing shortage (along with options like “granny flats,” tiny houses, mixed uses and mixed housing types — like allowing duplexes and triplexes where only single-family units were built).
I was born and raised in Pittsburgh and earned my degree at Pitt. Planning jobs were scarce here, so most of my jobs were in Florida. In each city I worked for, I offered those options. There’s housing shortages everywhere. Sadly, too many newer cities preferred to demolish and build new, which means it can take longer to meet housing needs. I’m proud of Pittsburgh’s creativity.
When I had to return (can’t drive anymore), I considered Morningside, but the waiting list was shorter than where I am now. I know residents are unhappy to lose neighborhood schools, but if they become the homes of their retired parents, they might find it easier to accept.
Sheryl Stolzenberg
Squirrel Hill