The Allegheny Riverfront Green Boulevard is a planning effort to transform a six mile stretch of the industrial rail line just northeast of downtown Pittsburgh into a multi-use rail corridor creating local links between homes, work, and recreation.  The plan envisions special, urban districts where mixed use housing and work space form new types of communities.

The first public meeting will launch the Green Boulevard study to the public on November 17, 2011 from 6:00 pm–8:00 pm.  At this meeting, presenters will review updates on the outcomes of the vision plan and introduce new ideas for each of the major study areas of the Green Boulevard plan: open space, land use/housing, and transportation.  Mariia Zimmerman, Deputy Director for the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities, will help launch this effort and welcome citizens to the process.

The project builds on the community’s Vision Plan completed in 2010 by residents, stakeholders and the City of Pittsburgh, the Urban Redevelopment Authority, and Riverlife. The Green Boulevard study will develop this vision in further detail, focusing on open space and ecology, transportation, and land use and urban design for the Lawrenceville area. The plan will study the existing Allegheny Railroad right-of-way, exploring options for transformation to a multi-modal green corridor which could integrate bicycle and pedestrian trails, passenger rail service, and stormwater management technologies, all within the existing rail freight corridor.  (click here for the full PDF of the project e-bulletin)

The meeting will be held at the Society for Contemporary Craft, 2100 Smallman Street, in the Strip District.  For more information, connect at the project’s Facebook page or contact Lena Andrews at the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, 412.255.6439, or email landrews@ura.org.