Articles written by Margaret L. Smykla
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Surge in disruptive behavior in South Side leads Zone 3 council
The post-pandemic surge in crowds, disruptive behavior, and crime in the East Carson St. corridor was a major focus of the July 22 monthly Zoom meeting of the Zone 3 Public Safety Council (Z3PSC)....
Spike in violent crime, homelessness focus at Zone 3
A spike in violent crime in Pittsburgh was a major focus of the June 24 Zoom monthly meeting of the Zone 3 Public Safety Council (Z3PSC). The meeting kicked off with a presentation on homelessness --...
Carson Street in 'disarray' as patrons, litter return
A third member may be added to the two-person Clean Team for the summer months, reported city Councilman Bruce Kraus at the June 8 Zoom meeting of the South Side Planning Forum. "The street is in...
City parks the focus of May's meeting of the Zone 3 Public Safety Council
A city parks theme kicked off the May 27 Zoom meeting of the Zone 3 Public Safety Council (Z3PSC). Park ranger Jonathan Furman said the park rangers' program began six years ago. The rangers were or...
Parking revenue from South Side PED recovering
The May 11 Zoom meeting of the South Side Planning Forum began with news of a 25 percent increase in Parking Enhancement District (PED) revenue in April compared to a month earlier. The PED is the enforcement of South Side Flats parking meters from...
Rep. Benham plans to introduce bill to allow local regulation of liquor licenses
Updates were the focus of the May 11 virtual general meeting of the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association (SSSNA). President Blake McLaren began the meeting detailing the ways to contact the...
Ideas, wish list for Berg Place told to elected officials
The April 22 public meeting of the Carrick Community Council (CCC) featured discussion with City Councilman Anthony Coghill and State Rep. Jessica Benham on what the community would like for developme...
Mt. O. City updates at Zoom meeting
Crime statistics, urban farm news, and the Dept. of Public Works' 4th Division site update were among the topics at the April 27 Spring Meeting of the Mt. Oliver City/St. Clair Community Group....
Green infrastructure discussed on Mount
Stormwater, Emerald View Park master plan, and clean air were the focus of the Mount Washington Community Development Corporation (MWCDC) 's "Green" Community Forum held via Zoom on April 15. The a...
Carson bars quiet after extending hours, requirements
Graffiti, the South Side Neighborhood Plan, and proposed state legislation to allow bars to remain open until 4 a.m. were among the discussion points at the April 13 Zoom meeting of the South Side Planning Forum. The meeting began with Zone 3...
SSCC reviews plans for 251-unit apartment building, Esser's Park
The March 25 virtual development activities meeting (DAM) of th e South Side Community Council (SSCC) featured presentations on proposals for a riverfront 251-unit residential apartment building, and...
Community Police Task Force tasked to recommend changes
Updates on the Community Police Reform Task Force kicked off the March 15 meeting of the Zone 3 Public Safety Council (Z3PSC). The Zoom meeting also featured crime trend information and public safety...
SomeraRoad proposes new 251-unit building at SouthSide Works
A brief presentation on a proposed riverfront, high-end, seven-story, 251-unit residential apartment building kicked off the March 9 Zoom meeting of the South Side Planning Forum. The project...
Slopes association holds board members election
Board elections highlighted the March 9 virtual Zoom general meeting of the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association (SSSNA). It was the organization's first general meeting of 2021. President Blake...
Plans discussed for Riverside Mews, marijuana dispensary
The latest virtual development activities meeting (DAM) of the South Side Community Council (SSCC) featured presentations on three South Side proposed projects. The Zoom video conference was held Febr...
Lastest plans for Division 4 presented to community
The rebuilding of the Dept. of Public Works' (DPW) 4th Division site was the focus of the Feb. 11 Zoom meeting hosted by city councilmen Bruce Kraus and Anthony Coghill, and DPW. The Division serves...
New commander introduced at Zone 3 Public Safety Council
The introduction of the new Zone 3 commander was the focus of the Zone 3 Public Safety Council (Z3PSC) Feb. 15 Zoom meeting. Commander John Fisher began on the Pittsburgh police force in April, 1988....
S.S. Forum discusses fire, Zone commander and Esser plaza lights
Reflections on the fiery demise of a historic South Side building the prior day headlined the Feb. 9 Zoom meeting of the South Side Planning Forum. Other highlights included introduction of the new...
CeaseFirePA wants 'common sense' laws concerning firearms
The Zone 3 Public Safety Council (Z3PSC) meeting that began on Jan. 18 was completed on Jan. 25. The reason was that a malicious Zoom "bomb" about 30 minutes into the Jan. 18 meeting was so...
Carrick council hears election results, about city snow removal
This year's first quarterly meeting of the Carrick Community Council (CCC) featured board election results; update on the 25 Carrick Ave Project; recent changes to the snow removal process; and the...
PED decline will reduce Carson St. Clean Team
Updates on the PED/Clean Team, the 4th Division Public Works campus, and more were the focus at the South Side Planning Forum meeting. The Zoom video conference was held on Jan. 12. In the PED update, city nighttime economy coordinator Allison...
Businesses propose changes at South Side DAM meeting
The sixth virtual development activities meeting (DAM) of the South Side Community Council (SSCC) featured presentations on two South Side projects, one of which is after fact as it is already in plac...
South Side Clean Team to remain through the winter
Updates filled the light agenda of the Dec. 8 meeting of the South Side Planning Forum. In the PED update, city Councilman Bruce Kraus said revenue each weekend "descends a little bit more." The PED i...
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....
