Articles written by Margaret L. Smykla
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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...
Commander gives insight into truck traffic in the Slopes
The Jan. 14 general meeting of the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association (SSSNA) began with a Zone 3 police update by Commander Karen Dixon. “The Flats’ crime drives the reports,” she said of all of the activity in the Flats. A problem in...
Updates provided at boro council
The Jan. 20 meeting of Mt. Oliver Council began with the public safety report for December. Absent were council members Tina Reft and Paul Doyle. Mayor Frank Bernardini reported there were 525 total...
Dedicated police unit, PED update at Forum
The Jan. 14 meeting of the South Side Planning Forum began with a brief report from Kitty Vagley, from the Friends of South Side Park, on a new South Side Park accessible trail. City approvals, and then state approvals, need to be secured. The hope...
South Side Park Master Plan's phase 1 projects unveiled
A strategy for Phase 1 of the South Side Park Master Plan was unveiled on Jan. 15 at the Brashear Center. The Phase 1 project encompasses six acres located parallel to South 18th St. to the South 21St St. entrance to the park, and includes proposed...
Boro honors long-time business at Mt. Oliver Council meeting
The Dec. 16 meeting of Mt. Oliver Council began with the presentation by council President Amber McGough of a "Certificate of Recognition and Appreciation" to Don's Bar for its 60 years of business wi...
Short forum meeting highlights proposed changes, PED update
The brief Dec. 10 meeting of the South Side Planning Forum began with updates on the South Side Parking Enhancement District (PED). While neither city Councilman Bruce Kraus nor city nighttime economy coordinator Allison Harnden could be present,...
Residents hear benefits of Alliance, Urban Farm update
Crime statistics, urban farm news, and the Dept. of Public Works’ 4th Division site update were among the topics at the Nov. 21 general meeting of the Mt. Oliver City/St. Clair Community Group. Speakers included City Councilman Bruce Kraus and Zone...
Borough approves raises in salaries and a variety of fees
Adopted resolutions with salary increases and changes in borough fees highlighted the Nov. 18 meeting of Mt. Oliver council. Councilwoman Tina Reft was absent. The average pay increase ranges from...
Zone 3 Council celebrates a successful year and looks forward to a better '20
The annual end-of-year meeting of the Zone 3 Public Safety Council (Z3PSC) on Nov. 18 began with President Liz Style detailing some of the group's 2019 accomplishments. They include: holding seven...
Banner updates, police substation discussed at forum
The Nov. 12 meeting of the South Side Planning Forum included updates on the South Side Parking Enhancement District (PED), holiday banners, tree plantings, and more. City Councilman Bruce Kraus and c...
Councilwoman resigns, new councilman sworn in Mt. Oliver Borough
A council member resignation and the swearing in of a replacement kicked off the Oct. 21 meeting of Mt. Oliver council. Barbara Keener submitted a resignation letter "with sincere regret," stating...
South Side PED income steady, banners to replace holiday lights
The October meeting of the South Side Planning Forum included updates on the South Side Parking Enhancement District (PED), holiday banners, and tree plantings as part of the city's streetscape projec...
Parks, 18th Street project outlined
The October 8 meeting of the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association (SSSNA) began with a vote to change the by-laws to comply with criteria for becoming a Registered Community Organization (RCO) with the City of Pittsburgh. The designation gives...
Historic guidelines project explained in South Side
The East Carson Street historic guidelines project, and changes in recycling in the city, were the focus of the general meeting of the South Side Community Council (SSCC) on Sept. 30 at the Brashear C...
Affordable housing development draws concerns in So. Side
Density, saturation, stability, and security were among the concerns raised about the proposed Carson Square development by attendees at a Sept. 26 meeting with project representatives. The meeting at the Brashear Center was hosted by the South Side...
Boro to put veterans' photos on street poles
Patriotic military banners displayed on street poles are coming to Mt. Oliver. At the Sept. 16 meeting of borough council, Mayor Frank Bernardini asked that veterans residing in the borough provide...
