Volume #1 - Number #1 - April 2024

Welcome to The Sun Rises, City Council District 9's Official Newsletter. The Sun Rises will come out on the first Monday of each month for the constituents of District 9. The goal of this publication is to ensure that the residents of East Hills, East Liberty, Friendship, Garfield, Highland Park, Homewood, Larimer, Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar, North Point Breeze, Park Place, Point Breeze South, Regent Square, and Stanton Heights are informed about government activities, engaged with our council office, and actively involved in what's happening in their communities. I hope you find this newsletter to be a valuable resource. 

DISTRICT 9 IN THE NEWS

We have hit the ground running since joining Pittsburgh City Council in January. Our office has actively supported essential reforms to the zoning code, fought for quality housing for our seniors, and discussed the impact of major infrastructure projects. Below is a recent story from WPXI's Amy Hudak about our successful effort to clean up a long-overlooked city-owned lot that was a serious public safety issue. Many thanks to Sharese Anderson for having the courage to share her harrowing story.

CURRENT & UPCOMING

CITY PROJECTS

See the list below for current and upcoming city projects in Pittsburgh's Council District 9:

• Baxter Park Improvement Plan: The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh, community organizations, and other key stakeholders, is developing an improvement plan for Baxter Park.

• Mellon Park Action Plan: The plan, completed in 2022, represents the vision and priorities of the residents and community members who love and use Mellon Park. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh, is continuing efforts to implement the recommendations outlined in the Action Plan.

• Penn Circle Two-Way Conversion: The project aims to reconnect the East Liberty neighborhood into an urban grid while increasing pedestrian access and improving safety.

• Stanton Avenue Phase 2: This project aims to improve the connection between Stanton Heights, Morningside, East Liberty, and Highland Park for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders.

• Penn Avenue Phase 2: The project aims to implement streetscape improvements along Penn Avenue in the Garfield and Friendship neighborhoods between Evaline Street and Graham Street.

• Frankstown Avenue Signal Improvements: This project involves replacing traffic signals/upgrades and investigating signal removals at various points along Frankstown Avenue.

• Larimer Ave Bridge Project: Project information about the design and construction plans for the Larimer Ave bridge over Washington Blvd between Larimer and Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar.

Click on the corresponding links above from the Engage Pgh page to learn more about each project.

POLICY BRIEF

In this section we discuss important policy issues; below is a summary of key municipal issue and a link for more information:

• Proposed Downtown LERTA bill: Councilman Bobby Wilson has proposed an updated tax abatement program to incentivize downtown property owners to convert vacant commercial real estate into residential units, with a percentage set aside for affordable housing. The bill is intended to respond to the impending loss of tax revenue from the decreasing value of Downtown property and the continued rise in commercial space vacancy in our central business district. Amendments to the original legislation are forthcoming as the many stakeholders at the table weigh in as the City Council deliberates. For more info read Councilman Wilson's press release here and a WESA story on the bill here.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

• Public Service Grants: Public Service Grants are federally funded grants to local nonprofit organizations serving Pittsburgh residents with low and moderate incomes. Awarded projects will provide direct services to vulnerable populations.
• Community Festival Program Grants: The Community Festival Program Grant has provided funding to help communities introduce and maintain neighborhood-focused festivals for over 40 years. The program’s goal is to provide financial assistance to community groups so they may launch and develop an annual event to bring together their community and foster togetherness. 

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

• Wednesday April 3rd, at 7pm: Friendship Community Group Board Meeting - Friendship Church
• Thursday April 4th, 11th & 18th at 9am: Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting
• Thursday April 4th, @ 6pm: Larimer Consensus Group Open Meeting
• Friday April 5th, 2024 at 3pm: UnBlurred
• Saturday April 6th, at 10am: Friendship Community Group Litter Pick Up
• Saturday April 6th, @10am: Treevitalize Pittsburgh Planting at North Braddock & Cassina Way
• Saturday April 6th, at 11am: Lincoln-Lemington Community Consensus Group at Catalyst Academy
• Saturday April 6th, @ 12pm: Earth Month Celebration w/ The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy at Westinghouse Park
• Tuesday April 9th, @ 6pm: Zone 5 Public Safety Meeting at the Kingsley Association
• Saturday April 13th, @ 10am: Operation Better Block Redd-Up Homewood at the Homewood YMCA
• Thursday April 18th, @ 6pm: East Hills Consensus Group Monthly Meeting at Petra International Ministries
• Thursday April 18th, @ 6:30pm: Zone 4 Public Safety Meeting at the Jewish Community Center
• Thursday April 18th, @ 7pm: Highland Park Community Council on Zoom
• Thursday April 25th, @ 6pm: Homewood Community Development Collaborative Monthly Meeting at Community Empowerment Association
• Thursday May 2nd, @ 6pm: Larimer Consensus Group Open Meeting
• Friday May 3rd, 2024 @ 3pm: UnBlurred
• Saturday May 4th, @ 10am: Friendship Community Group Litter Pick Up
• Saturday May 4th, @ 11am: Lincoln-Lemington Community Consensus Group at Catalyst Academy
• Saturday May 5th, Pittsburgh Marathon Neighborhood Inspiration Stations:
• Beechwood @ 5th Avenue in Point Breeze South
• Penn Avenue in North Point Breeze
• Frankstown Avenue in Homewood
• Baum Blvd. and S. Negley Ave in Friendship

To add events to next month's community calendar, email us with (1) Event Name, (2) Event Date & (3) Event Location *HERE*

DISTRICT 9 COMMUNITY MEDIA

• The Bulletin
• Print
• Shady Ave Magazine

STAY IN CONTACT WITH OUR OFFICE

• Office Phone: 412-255-2137
• Text Us: 412-239-9990
• Sign up for text and email updates by texting Mosley to 412-239-9990
• Staff Emails:
• Councilman Khari Mosley: khari.mosley@pittsburghpa.gov
• Chief of Staff Grace Turner: grace.d.turner@pittsburghpa.gov
• Administrative Operations Director leslie.j.smith@pittsburghpa.gov
• Community Engagement & Constituency Services Director stanford.m.lyons@pittsburghpa.gov
• Special Assistant tracey.wright@pittsburghpa.gov
• Follow us on Social Media:
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Thank you for reading the first edition of The Sun Rises. Stay tuned for our next issue on Monday, May 6th. As always, don't hesitate to contact our office if you need anything city government-related. Have a great month of April; we hope to see you somewhere in District 9 soon.

Khari Mosley, City Councilman, District 9