Category Archives: Mayor’s Office

Apply now for the fall 2013 Civic Leadership Academy

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Applications are now available for the fall 2013 Civic Leadership Academy, a free 10-week course that aims to educate residents about local government.  Beginning September 18 and concluding on November 20, participants will attend 10 weekly sessions on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8:30 p.m. to learn how different City departments work to ensure a safer, more livable City and to become more informed civic leaders.

Participants are given the opportunity to interact one-on-one with City departments, directors and staff members.  Session topics include urban redevelopment and processes, city planning and park services, protection of waterways and rivers, public safety efforts, animal control ventures and more.  Sessions also include tours, interactive presentations, hands-on demonstrations and engaging activities.  Throughout the 10-week course, the civic leaders plan a service project that they will complete after graduation to address the pressing challenges in and around the City of Pittsburgh.  Previous graduates have conducted river cleanups in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Water and Sewage authority, raised money for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, planted native plants at the Larimer Community Garden and revitalized a parklet in East Carnegie.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and live within Pittsburgh City limits and/or be a business owner who operates within Pittsburgh City limits. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday August 23rd.  Click here for more information and to apply.

City seeking AmeriCorps VISTA members to support servePGH

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The City is seeking four qualified year-round AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members to support the servePGH program. These positions will involve management and hands-on work on a number of service initiatives designed to impact Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods, ranging from reducing blight to mentoring youths to providing fresh produce to underserved neighborhoods. Applications will be accepted until April 30th, 2013, or until the positions are filled.

Full-time applications are being accepted for a Youth Service Associate, Community Engagement Associate, Neighborhood Service Associate and Civic Engagement Associate. These associates will serve full-time in the Mayor’s Office of Service and Civic Engagement (servePGH) for one year, beginning July 2013. Successful applicants will be given the unique opportunity to gain professional experience in City government, community organizing, partnership building and neighborhood revitalization. The four available positions were made possible through a successful application to the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) AmeriCorps VISTA program.

Applicants must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, strong written and oral presentation skills, experience in project management, and commitment to collaboration and problem solving.  A basic living allowance of $946 per month, a $5,550 education award or a $1,500 end-of-service stipend upon completion of a year of service, and basic health coverage is provided by the CNCS.

To view additional requirements and to find out how to become an AmeriCorps VISTA, click here. Applications will be accepted until Tuesday, April 30.

Civic Leadership Academy: applications for Spring 2013 session due on Feb 22

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The Mayor’s Civic Leadership Academy is now accepting applications for the Spring 2013 session.  The Civic Leadership Academy is a free 10-week course about local government created to foster more informed, effective, and inspired community and civic leadership.  Participants learn about different City departments and the services they provide to make for a safer, more livable city.  The class includes tours, hands-on demonstrations, and fun activities that give an up-close and personal view of how the City of Pittsburgh is governed and run.

The Spring class will kick off on March 13, 2013 and wrap up on May 15th, 2013.  Classes will be held every Wednesday evening from 6-8:30 pm.  Applications are now available and individuals can apply online at: pittsburghpa.gov/cla/application.  Applications are due this Friday, February 22.  Please contact (412) 255-2280 with any questions and concerns.

Mayor's letter for December

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Dear Neighbors,

With 2013 quickly approaching, I’d like to take this time to reflect on another successful year in the City of Pittsburgh. As our Third Renaissance reaches and revitalizes even more neighborhoods, I have never been more proud of the way our residents and neighbors have worked hand-in-hand with the City to clean up blight, remove litter and transform eye sores into beauty. We should all be proud of our neighborhoods, and of the work we’ve done – and continue to do – to ensure that they’re a great place to live and do business. Across the City, many great things happened in 2012.

CREATING JOBS

There are currently more than 1.2 million jobs available in Pittsburgh – that’s more available jobs than ever before. This is a result of our vision to grow strong neighborhoods and business districts by remaining dedicated to impressive neighborhood investment, job creation and a thriving high-tech innovation economy. In 2012 alone, Downtown has seen $5 billion in investment, which brought 30 new restaurants to Market Square and multi-million dollar investments like Gardens at Market, which will transform dilapidated buildings at the Square’s Fifth Street entrance into an 18-story mixed-use building, and the $83 million Piatt Place development to include luxury condos and high-end restaurants. Looking forward, Downtown will become even more vibrant as the new PNC skyscraper – slated to be the world’s greenest skyscraper – moves toward completion.

Pittsburgh’s Third Renaissance expands beyond Downtown. Developments like Bakery Square 2.0 in East Liberty, South Shore Riverfront Park at SouthSide Works and the Garden Block Revitalization project on the Northside bring jobs and much-needed office space for Pittsburgh’s growing and thriving economy.

ENSURING PUBLIC SAFETY

As we celebrate Pittsburgh’s sixth consecutive year of historic crime lows, the City’s public safety officials continue their efforts to drive crime rates even lower in our neighborhoods with improvements in equipment and upgrades in police cars. Safety officials have received advanced training and over $3 million was dedicated to the demolition of condemned homes in the area. From 2006 through 2011, the City’s overall rate of reported crime dropped by 26 percent.  The safety of Pittsburgh’s residents and businesses has been and will remain the highest priority in the New Year.

BRINGING BACK PITTSBURGH’S PROMISE

Since 2008, more than 3,000 students have pursued higher education thanks to The Pittsburgh Promise – a scholarship program that gives Pittsburgh Public Schools students up to $40,000 to follow their dreams. This past June, the first Promise scholars graduated from college and the program will come full circle as local employers hire from a newly trained, local talent pool.

GREENING AND IMPROVING PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE

We have taken many steps to reduce the City’s energy usage and save taxpayers’ money. Just this year, we upgraded 3,700 business district street lights to brighter, cleaner, cost-efficient LED lights; conducted energy-efficient improvements to the City-County Building; and are creating Green Central, the City’s first one-stop-shop for green- and sustainability-related information.

The Department of Public Works (DPW) has made strides toward improving streets and cleaning up communities. This year, DPW paved almost 60 miles of City streets, installed 56 new handicap ramps, and – through the Mayor’s Redd Up and Green Up programs – cleaned up 43 lots, boarded up 102 abandoned buildings, cleared 466 tons of debris, created 12 new community gardens and opened two new dog parks.

FROM SENIORS TO KIDS – IMPROVEMENTS FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY

From renovated senior centers to community farmers markets to youth-friendly events, residents of all ages had the opportunity to enjoy Pittsburgh in 2012. The recent reopening of the historic South Side Market House marked the completion of the first of three renovation phases to bring the building to complete usability and restore quality-of-life programming for senior residents. The project, originally slated for almost $1 million in repairs, cost under $250,000 thanks to in-house work provided by the City’s Public Works department.

Safety repairs and improvements have recently been made to many of the City’s 130 parks and playgrounds, including safety surface installments, upgraded courts and lighting, and improved overall appearance. Farmers markets were held in neighborhoods across the City during the summer and fall to provide residents with locally grown food and handmade crafts. Among a variety of family- and youth-friendly events, the City held its first-ever “Wallflowers and Wildflowers: Alternative Homecoming” dance for teens who find it difficult or intimidating to attend their own school’s dance among their classmates.

ENGAGING RESIDENTS IN CITIZEN-SERVICE

By obtaining a Cities of Service grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies and Rockefeller Foundation, Mayor Ravenstahl launched servePGH in March 2011 to engage Pittsburgh’s citizens in service and to answer President Obama’s national call to volunteerism.  Through eight new and innovative servePGH initiatives, the Mayor has engaged citizens in volunteer-fueled solutions to revitalize close to 200 City blocks, restore vulnerable residents’ homes, help middle-school youth navigate life’s challenges, clean up over 21,000 pounds of litter, and more.  Over 3,000 volunteers have committed over 30,000 hours of service through servePGH to date.

WORLD-RENOWNED RECOGNITION

Despite the nation’s biggest downturn since the Great Depression, Pittsburgh has stayed on top. Accolades touting the City’s successes continue to come in. This year alone, we were named one of “20 Cities with the Happiest Young Professionals” and one of “25 Best Places to Retire in 2012” by Forbes.com, one of 20 “Best of the World” must-see places to visit in 2012 by National Geographic Traveler, a top 10 “American Comeback City” by Forbes, and America’s “Most Livable City” year after year by The Economist and Forbes.com.The list goes on, and the resounding message is clear – Pittsburgh is a growing city, a revitalized city, a thriving city. And people across the world are taking note.

As we look forward to another successful year in 2013, I anticipate even more milestones to be reached, neighborhoods to be improved and accolades to be received. And I look forward to working together with residents, community organizations and businesses to write the next chapter in Pittsburgh’s remarkable story. I wish everyone a safe, healthy and happy New Year.

Mayor's monthly message for October

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Dear Neighbors,

I recently had the honor of presenting Pittsburgh’s economic revitalization and transformation story to more than 100 leaders at the White House Forum on Urban Innovation. As one of only eight selected speakers, I was given the opportunity to speak about the ways that we, here in Pittsburgh, continue to create jobs, improve our economy and strengthen our neighborhoods through strong partnerships. I was also asked to speak about The Pittsburgh Promise scholarship program and how it’s helping improve the City’s schools and enabling students to achieve the dream of higher education. As always, I was extremely proud to promote Pittsburgh, especially to our Nation’s leaders.

It’s opportunities like these that continue to draw in accolades from national and international outlets. Recently, a RealSTATS housing market analysis rated Pittsburgh one of the best housing markets of over 400 regions studied. The Economist ranked us 30th among 50 most livable cities in the world (and the only city in the continental U.S!), and Forbes.com names Pittsburgh one of “25 Best Places to Retire in 2012.” The list goes on, and the resounding message is clear – Pittsburgh is a growing city, a revitalized city, a thriving city.

Receiving these recognitions presents new opportunities for the City of Pittsburgh. On October 18-22, Pittsburgh will host the 2012 One Young World Summit. This premier global forum will connect over 1,000 young leaders from around the world, bringing together the youngest and brightest, helping them make lasting connections to create positive change. I couldn’t be happier to have such a prestigious and unique event take place in our City.

Be the first to learn about our City’s latest achievements and recognitions by visiting our website, liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter (see below). Stay informed, get involved and do your part to help Pittsburgh remain America’s “Most Livable City” for years to come!

Sincerely,

Luke Ravenstahl
Mayor, City of Pittsburgh

Dear Neighbors,

I recently had the honor of presenting Pittsburgh’s economic revitalization and transformation story to more than 100 leaders at the White House Forum on Urban Innovation. As one of only eight selected speakers, I was given the opportunity to speak about the ways that we, here in Pittsburgh, continue to create jobs, improve our economy and strengthen our neighborhoods through strong partnerships. I was also asked to speak about The Pittsburgh Promise scholarship program and how it’s helping improve the City’s schools and enabling students to achieve the dream of higher education. As always, I was extremely proud to promote Pittsburgh, especially to our Nation’s leaders.

It’s opportunities like these that continue to draw in accolades from national and international outlets. Recently, a RealSTATS housing market analysis rated Pittsburgh one of the best housing markets of over 400 regions studied. The Economist ranked us 30th among 50 most livable cities in the world (and the only city in the continental U.S!), and Forbes.com names Pittsburgh one of “25 Best Places to Retire in 2012.” The list goes on, and the resounding message is clear – Pittsburgh is a growing city, a revitalized city, a thriving city.

Receiving these recognitions presents new opportunities for the City of Pittsburgh. On October 18-22, Pittsburgh will host the 2012 One Young World Summit. This premier global forum will connect over 1,000 young leaders from around the world, bringing together the youngest and brightest, helping them make lasting connections to create positive change. I couldn’t be happier to have such a prestigious and unique event take place in our City.

Be the first to learn about our City’s latest achievements and recognitions by visiting our website, liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter (see below). Stay informed, get involved and do your part to help Pittsburgh remain America’s “Most Livable City” for years to come!

Sincerely,

Luke Ravenstahl

Mayor, City of Pittsburgh

Mayor's September Message

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Dear Neighbors,

Throughout the summer, the City has been working vigorously to improve streets, repair sidewalks and upgrade the overall maintenance of our neighborhoods. The Department of Public Works (DPW) maintains and cleans our City’s streets, parks and public spaces, working to beautify our neighborhoods and make them safer.

The warm summer months allow more outdoor work to be completed, and this year we’ve raised the bar by increasing the amount of streets paved and working with more community groups to clean up their blocks. So far this summer, we have paved almost 50 miles of City streets and expect to complete 60 miles by the end of this year. Also, 56 new handicap ramps have been installed, with an expected 104 to be completed by the year’s end. DPW has also worked with Redd Up and Green Up groups to clean 43 lots, board up 102 abandoned buildings, clear 466 tons of debris, create 12 new community gardens and officially open the South Side Dog Park. If you haven’t checked it out yet, visit the City’s newest dog park at 18th Street and Riverfront Park.

The City’s parks are fun, safe areas for families and children to socialize during the summer and after school. Safety repairs and improvements have recently been made to many of the City’s 145 parks and playgrounds, including upgraded courts, lighting and overall appearance. Also, over the summer, 17 City pools have been available for families to enjoy, including the repaired and improved Moore Pool in Brookline.

All year round, the City works diligently to keep our neighborhoods safe and clean, providing the environment, resources and services that make Pittsburgh America’s “Most Livable City.” Please do your part to keep up the progress by working with neighbors and City representatives to combat blight, litter and crime, and help continue the transformation of our City.

Sincerely,
Luke Ravenstahl
Mayor, City of Pittsburgh

Mayor's August message

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Dear Neighbors,

The start of the new school year is quickly approaching and, as the father of a young child, I’m looking forward to helping my young scholar prepare for a successful year. Many of you will take students into classrooms for the first time while others will watch their children begin their last year of high school. Regardless of where your child is in his or her journey, the destination is clear – and that’s where the Pittsburgh Promise can help. Students who graduate from one of our City’s Pittsburgh Public Schools and meet attendance and academic requirements can receive up to $40,000 for college. Since 2008, the Pittsburgh Promise has awarded thousands of scholarships and has helped over 3,200 students reach their goal of higher education.

If you don’t have any children in school, you can still play an important role in a child’s life by signing up to be a mentor. Children with mentors are more likely to do better in school than those who don’t have a positive role model in their life. You can learn more about how City employees are doing their part and also how you can sign up to help by visiting pittsburghpa.gov/servepgh/mentor.

Finally, I ask you to pay special attention to school zones and traffic laws during this school year. Please, obey the laws and signs when traveling in a posted school zone and adhere to the flashing lights of a stopped school bus that may be loading or unloading students. We must all remain cognizant and continue to work together to safeguard our children as they travel to and from school and other related activities.

I hope you all have a great and safe 2012-2013 school year.

Sincerely,
Luke Ravenstahl
Mayor, City of Pittsburgh

Application period now open for Civic Leadership Academy class

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Applications are available for the City’s Civic Leadership Academy (CLA), a free 10-week course designed to educate residents about local government in the City of Pittsburgh.

Beginning September 12, and ending November 14, up to 25 participants will attend 10 weekly sessions on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8:30 p.m. to learn how different City departments work to ensure a safer, more livable City.  Session topics include city organization and vision; budgeting processes; city planning and economic development; public works and parks services; the protection of water and rivers; public safety efforts, and more. City directors will develop their sessions to include tours, hands-on demonstrations and fun activities to provide an up-close and personal view of how their department helps to operate the City. At the conclusion of the course, the Mayor will lead a graduation ceremony where participants will be awarded certificates.  To date, five classes totaling 95 residents have graduated from the Civic Leadership Academy.

At the end of each class, graduates undertake a service project based on what they have learned.  Past projects by CLA graduates have included planting native plants at the Larimer Community Garden, launching a recycling awareness campaign at community festivals across the City, revitalizing a parklet in East Carnegie, supporting the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s efforts to improve neighborhood business districts, and beautifying Arsenal Park in Lawrenceville.

Applicants to the program must be at least 18 years old and live within Pittsburgh City limits and/or be a business owner who operates within Pittsburgh City limits.  Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, August 13. For more information and to apply for the Civic Leadership Academy, visit cla.pittsburghpa.gov.

The Civic Leadership Academy is supported, in part, by Corporation for National and Community Service and AmeriCorps VISTA program.  It is one of seven signature initiatives within Mayor Ravenstahl’s servePGH initiative.

Mayor's message for May

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Dear Neighbors,

The days are growing warmer and longer, and I’m excited to welcome this year’s cleaning and greening season. As you begin to Redd-Up your neighborhood, Green-Up empty lots and Love Your Blocks, I want you to know that your hard work and dedication not only improves the beauty of your neighborhood, but also helps keep your family and neighbors safe.

By transforming vacant lots into green spaces, community gardens and other creative community assets, your work helps reduce crime and improve residents’ neighborhood pride. Blighted properties attract illegal and dangerous activity, and it’s important that we work together to keep such activity out of our neighborhoods.

More blighted properties will be demolished this spring, creating opportunities for attractive, useful green spaces. As community members, I encourage you to take charge of these areas through City programs like Green Up, Love Your Block, the Sideyard Sale Program and the Garden Waiver Program. Businesses are reminded to take advantage of the Storefront Renovation Program and the Taking Care of Business program. By aggressively addressing blighted properties through community-driven development, you each take an active role in beautifying your neighborhood and improving its public safety.

Fighting blight is one way to keep our neighborhoods safe. As Mayor, I continue to take great measures across our City to improve public safety, including cracking down on nuisance properties, providing public safety officials with advanced training, and dedicating over $3 million to demolition this year. As always, the safety of Pittsburgh’s residents and businesses remains a high priority.

Residents are reminded to report suspicious activity, review crime alerts or join a block watch by visiting my Community Safety Website at communitysafety.pittsburghpa.gov.

Keeping our City clean, safe and green is up to each of us. By working together, we can continue to strengthen our neighborhoods and keep Pittsburgh “America’s Most Livable City.”

Sincerely,

Luke Ravenstahl
Mayor, City of Pittsburgh

Mayor's message for April

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Dear Neighbors,

Spring is coming, and Pittsburgh is blooming greener than ever.  Though it can be hard to stay motivated through the winter, we have worked on finding greener ways to improve the way we run our City.

Over the last few months, we have upgraded 3,700 business district streetlights to brighter, cleaner, cost-efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED) streetlights – an improvement that is anticipated to reduce the City’s energy usage by more than 60 percent and save taxpayers approximately $110m000 per year; begun the development of “Green Central,” a centralized space where residents and City employees will have easy access to information related to everything green; purchased new Compressed Natural Gas (CnG) waste haulers, set to run quieter, cleaner and more efficiently than ever on trash day; and assisted with the weatherization of 70 homes for City residents. And they are just a few recent accomplishments.

There are many projects currently in the works that will keep Pittsburgh as a leader in sustainability, including increasing our recycling program and development of the Civic LEAF Academy.

This month, in honor of Earth Day, I invite you to celebrate the preservation of our planet all week with the City’s first-ever Earth Market, April 23 – 27, in Market Square, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Not only will you learn about Pittsburgh’s sustainability efforts, but you can stock up on resources to help your greening projects all year long. Also, don’t miss this year’s annual Earth Day celebration in Frick Park on Saturday, April 21.

If your green organization would like to participate in our Earth Market, or you would like more green-related information, please contact the City’s Sustainability Coordinator at 412- 255-2254. I also encourage you to sign up for an electronic copy of the Green Scene, the Office of Sustainability and Energy Efficiency’s new newsletter that provides valuable resources and information about Pittsburgh’s push toward a greener future. Go to pittsburghpa.gov/green and click on “Sign up for email updates” to subscribe to the Green Scene.

Creating a sustainable City is a collaborative effort that balances protection, preservation, maintenance and innovation. I am proud that Pittsburgh provides a great quality of life for our residents, and I look forward to working with residents, as well as the public and private sectors, to ensure a green, sustainable, most livable future for our City.

Sincerely,

Luke Ravenstahl
Mayor, City of Pittsburgh