Articles written by Margaret L. Smykla
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Quads, speakeasies discussed at Zone 3 Nov. council meeting
The last Zone 3 Public Safety Council (Z3PSC) meeting of 2020 on Nov. 16 featured a year-end report and plans for 2021. The meeting began with news that Zone 3 police Commander Karen Dixon will be returning Nov. 30, but is retiring in early January....
South Side could see a multi-modal hub for transportation soon
The guest presenter at the Nov. 10 meeting of the South Side Planning Forum was policy analyst Tosh Chambers of the city’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI). He discussed MOVE412/Mobility Hub, a multi-modal transportation strategy....
Police procedures, policies and changes discussed at Zone 3
Police policies and procedures, changes in training policies and actions that reduce concerns with policing, and ways in which the community can continue to serve as partners with the police were...
Plans outlined for SouthSide Works at South Side council DAM meeting
The fourth virtual development activities meeting (DAM) of the South Side Community Council (SSCC) featured presentations on three proposed South Side projects. The Zoom video conference was held on Oct. 22. The projects are the town square...
Police procedures, changes discussed at Zone 3 meeting
Police policies and procedures, changes in training policies and actions that reduce concerns with policing, and ways in which the community can continue to serve as partners with the police were...
Slopes meeting concerned with speakeasys, E. Carson impovements
The Oct. 20 virtual Zoom general meeting of the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association (SSSNA) featured discussion of speakeasies, the East Carson St. safety improvement project, and more. The...
PED collections are down, but keep up with E. Carson costs
Updates on the South Side Parking Enhancement District (PED), the PennDOT construction project, and local development activities meetings (DAM) were the prime topics of the Oct. 13 monthly meeting of the South Side Planning Forum. The meeting was...
Property owners explain plans at South Side DAM meeting
The third virtual development activities meeting (DAM) of the South Side Community Council (SSCC) featured presentations on four South Side projects. The Zoom video conference was held on Sept 24....
South Side Community Council outlines changes, elects new board members
The fall general meeting of the South Side Community Council (SSCC) featured board elections; an overview of the changes planned for SouthSide Works; reorganization of the SSCC; updates on the Carson...
Two organizations work for peace in South Pittsburgh
Presentations on two local organizations working to help maintain peace in the zone were the focus of the Sept. 21 meeting of the Zone 3 Public Safety Council (Z3PSC). The presenters were Reverend Eileen O. Smith, director of the South Pittsburgh...
ForgingPGH aims to create a shared vision throughout Pittsburgh
The launch of a citywide comprehensive planning process, and an update on the South Side Parking Enhancement District (PED), were the main focus of the Sept. 8 meeting of the South Side Planning Forum. The meeting was held as a Zoom video...
South Siders learn about plans for Verizon antennas, cinema reuse
The second virtual development activities meeting (DAM) of the South Side Community Council (SSCC) featured presentations on three proposed development projects on the South Side. The three projects are: Verizon Wireless’ proposal to attach...
Zone 3 council hears from Black Women, impact of COVID-19
Liz Style, president of the Zone 3 Public Safety Council (Z3PSC), began the Aug. 17 meeting stating this has been a "year of confusion, fear, and uncertainty, and have survived it all. But 2020 is...
UPMC puts plans for S.S. hospital building on hold
Updates on COVID-19's local impact was the focus of the combined July-August meeting of the South Side Planning Forum on July 28. The meeting was held as a Zoom video conference. It began with an...
Police community engagement unit focuses on needs in the neighborhood
A presentation on the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police (PBP) Community Outreach Office (COO) highlighted the July 20 virtual meeting of the Zone 3 Public Safety Council (Z3PSC). The group's Zoom video...
South Side learns of changes to SouthSide Works Square
The first development activities meeting (DAM) of the South Side Community Council (SSCC) reviewed two proposed development projects on the South Side. The projects are the renovation of the Town...
City relaxes permit fees, looks for ways businesses can return
Permit fees for outdoor dining have been waived in the city as most of southwestern Pennsylvania entered Governor Tom Wolf’s “green phase” for reopening businesses on June 5. Fees for sidewalk retail permits have also been waived. “We are...
Zone 3 safety council reconnecting through Zoom during the pandemic
Updates on the city's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and related matters, were the focus of the May 18 virtual meeting of the Zone 3 Public Safety Council (Z3PSC). The group's first ever Zoom vide...
Crime is 'unusual' on the S.S. Slopes, revenue down in PED
The city is facing a $122 million shortfall in its operating budget due to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent closures, city Councilman Bruce Kraus announced during the May 12 virtual general...
Concerns expressed about Airbnbs on the Slopes
The South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association (SSSNA) has a new board member following the organization's March 10 general meeting. The new member is Lucia Sanchez, who has lived in the Slopes since...
Community updated at South Side Planning Forum meeting
A city update by Councilman Bruce Kraus and city nighttime economy coordinator Allison Harnden kicked off the March 10 meeting of the South Side Planning Forum. Block by Block, or the Clean Team retained to keep the E. Carson St. corridor maintained,...
South Side Park Master Plan Phase I includes improvements to playground
The proposed playground area, including adjacent amenities, from Phase 1 of the South Side Park Master Plan were detailed at a February public engagement meeting at the Brashear Center. The...
Zone 3 Council reviews and looks toward the future
The February 17 regular business meeting of the Zone 3 Public Safety Council (Z3PSC) featured elections, crime report, and the 2020 meeting schedule. It began with guest speaker Anthony Kobak, a new senior planner with the Strategic Planning...
Magistrate orders end to Mt. O. feud, council adopts a 'Code of Conduct'
Mayor Frank Bernardini began the February 17 meeting of Mt. Oliver Council with an update on a recent hearing before the magistrate. Absent were council members Aaron Graham and Paul Doyle. The...
PED funds being used for cleaning, banners, Saint Patrick's Day
The February 11 meeting of the South Side Planning Forum began with updates on the South Side Parking Enhancement District (PED), or the enforcement of South Side Flats parking meters from 6 p.m. - Pmidnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The revenue...
