December newsletter from the office of Councilman Patrick Dowd

News and Updates

Greenway Proposal Goes to Planning Commission

Next Tuesday, December 7, at 2:00pm, the City Planning Commission will consider and vote on creating a greenway that will protect the hillside overlooking the Allegheny River, spanning the Stanton Heights and Morningside neighborhoods. They will determine if this project will have a long-term benefit to the City and its residents. The meeting is open to the public and comments can be made during the discussion of the greenway.

Money-Saving Legislation Proposed

Councilman Dowd recently introduced legislation ending decades of wasteful water rate subsidization. Over the last 25 years PWSA has funded Pennsylvania American Water an average of $2.2 million annually to equalize City customer rates. Read more…

PreservePGH to Address Cultural Heritage

PreservePGH will be discussing cultural heritage and historic preservation at a set of meetings in December to inform the PLANPGH project. PLANPGH is Pittsburgh’s first ever comprehensive plan. It will serve as the gameplan for the City’s growth over the next 25 years. Read more…

Upcoming Events

Council to Go

Friday, December 10, 7:30am-9:00am; Councilman Dowd and staff will be in Lawrenceville at Perk Me Up, 4407 Butler Street.

Community Events

Friday, December 3, 6:00pm-7:30pm, Polish Hill’s “Light Up the Street” — Tree lighting at the corner of Brereton and Dobson, Polish Hill. The evening will also be an Around the Block event, showcasing the merchants in the small business district bounded by Brereton, Dobson, and Hancock streets.

Friday, December 3, 7:00pm; Light Up Lawrenceville Celebration – Please join Lawrenceville United and families from all 3 wards of Lawrenceville to celebrate the holiday season and festivities. A tree lighting ceremony will begin promptly at 7:00pm across the street from the Teamsters’ Temple at 4701 Butler Street.

Friday, December 3 through Sunday, December 5; The Lawrenceville Joy of Cookies Tour — A shopping event that lets you explore Lawrenceville’s business district one delicious cookie at a time.

Wednesday, December 8, 4:00pm-6:00pm; Zone 2 Public Safety Council is hosting A Senior Safety Presentation. York Commons, 4003 Penn Avenue, Lawrenceville.

REMINDER – The District 7 Office will be closed Friday, December 24, and Friday, December 31, for the holidays.

Did You Know?

Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The recent program expansion increased the income limit from $15,000 to $35,000 (which excludes half of Social Security income) for homeowners and raises the maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters from $500 to $650. The income limit for renters is $15,000.

Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2010, to be considered. Read more…