Open house_October_Slideshow

This event IS A TEMPORARY
INSTALLATION that
summarizes the ideas you
have shared with us
about the COMMUNITY’S
future. It will be open
for the next two weeks
TO USE THE SPACE between October 6th and 19th, please
email ecoinnovationdistrictpgh@gmail.com

We’ve had open houses here before. You
shared your ideas and concerns about the
community.

We’ve also
distributed
a survey to
learn more
about the
community.
700 total
surveys
were filled
out – thank
you!

WE’VE LEARNED A LOT FROM A YEAR’S WORTH OF
CONVERSATIONS
(TO DATE)

WHAT IS AN
ECOINNOVATION
DISTRICT plan?
A community plan focused on equitable
growth, economic development, and
sustainability.
Centered around Uptown/West Oakland,
this EcoInnovation District plan will be
created WITH you and include your ideas
FOR YOUR COMMUNITY. This includes
ensuring that improvements here reinforce
the work already underway in the Hill District.
FIRST, A QUICK REVIEW…

Website discussion
We launched ecoinnovationdistrict.org to HELP
keep everyone informed.

In previous meetings, we talked
about the community’s past…

…AND THE CHALLENGES THE COMMUNITY
FACES TODAY LIKE VACANT LAND…

…THE LARGE AMOUNT OF SURFACE PARKING THAT’S
OFTEN REPLACED HISTORIC BUILDINGS…

…THE NEED MORE SERVICES AND
BUSINESSES…
“When I was a child
there were a lot of
stores up and down
Fifth and Forbes
Avenues- there were
a lot of mom and pop
stores, small
businesses. There are
some opening up near
the university, but
there aren’t many
stores left. “

…ISSUES WITH SPEEDING TRAFFIC…

WE ASKED THE QUESTION:
“WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT WOULD MAKE UPTOWN /
WEST OAKLAND A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE, WORK &
STUDY?” HERE’S WHAT YOU SAID…

These include Oakland 2025, the greater hill district master
plan and greenprint to name a few. our task is to reinforce and
support this work.
WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT Existing studies & plans

And, WE’VE HIGHLIGHTED the work of groups like Uptown
partners who have helped to spearhead the reuse of
vacant building AND ORGANIZE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
COMMUNITY.

Time to pull it
all together
WE’VE HEARD FROM YOU ABOUT YOUR
IDEAS AND CONCERNS. ITS NOW

WHAT FOLLOWS ARE
JUST IDEAS. THE
IDEAS ARE NOT A
“PLAN” UNTIL WE
HEAR FROM YOU AND
FIGURE OUT WHAT’S
MOST IMPORTANT

THE IDEAS ARE SPLIT INTO
4 THEMES
1. PRESERVE & STRENGTHEN THE EXISTING COMMUNITY
2. ENCOURAGE BALANCED, EQUITABLE, & GREEN DEVELOPMENT
3. PROVIDE CHOICE IN MOBILITY
4. INVEST IN SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE

PRESERVE AND
STRENGTHEN
THE EXISTING
COMMUNITY

SO WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO
accomplish?
- Protect affordability
- Create jobs for residents
- Invest in what makes the
community unique

WHAT MAKES HOUSING LESS
AFFORDABLE?
TAXES CONDITION of
HOMES REQUIRES
$$ FOR UPKEEP
COST OF
UTILITIES
DEMAND: MORE
DESIRE TO LIVE IN
THE AREA MEANS
HIGHER COSTS
HIGH COST OF
LAND
REGULATIONS CAN
MAKE FIXING YOUR
HOME MORE EXPENSIVE

> Work with banks to address credit issues.
> Connect residents with available housing programs.
> Create a housing advocate for Uptown / West
Oakland to:
> Put the proposed Housing Trust Fund to work in Uptown for housing
rehabilitation support for owner–occupied and rental housing
> Adjust the Homestead Exemption
> Work with the City to implement the Affordable
Housing Task Force Plan:
INVEST IN EXISTING RESIDENTS & PROTECT THE
RESIDENTIAL CORE OF THE COMMUNITY

TAXES
LAND
• Next assessments are 2021
• Pursue a Longtime Owners Occupants
Program (LOOP) program which is a real
estate tax discount. This requires
coordination with State Government
• Land Bank – work to secure property for
affordable housing
• Land Trust – protect long-term
affordability by owning and controlling
the land over time – would need to be
managed by a non-profit
INVEST IN EXISTING RESIDENTS & PROTECT THE RESIDENTIAL CORE OF THE COMMUNITY

PROMOTE A HEALTHY COMMUNITY AND REDUCE
UTILITY COSTS
> Support weatherization and basic systems rehabilitation for
existing homes
> Monitor water / air quality
> Create / expand local fitness programs

> Its about creating jobs and connecting residents with
them. This requires workforce programs to train
residents but also in making sure that jobs created to
help improve the community are available to
residents
ATTRACT TALENT & PROMOTE DIVERSITY &
INCLUSION IN THE INNOVATION COMMUNITY

BUILD ON UPTOWN/WEST OAKLAND’S
CHARACTER AND IDENTITY
> Invest in more public
art
> Create welcoming
neighborhood
gateways
> Create new
community events

> Monitor housing conditions and nuisance properties
> Upgrade lighting
> Tackle blight & illegal dumping
> Expand community policing
WORK TOGETHER TO TACKLE BLIGHT AND
COMMUNITY SAFETY

> Create a “chamber”
of local institutions
to coordinate
services and
responses to local
issues / concerns
EXPAND INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
ONE OF THE UNIQUE
ASPECTS OF UPTOWN
ARE THE EXISTING
INSTITUTIONS. THESE
SHOULD REMAIN THE
HEART OF THE
COMMUNITY

ENCOURAGE
BALANCED,
EQUITABLE,
AND GREEN
DEVELOPMENT

“Address blight; attract young people by bringing
companies and businesses there where people want
to work. uplift the people who already live there
and give them a community they are proud to live in
and where they feel safe.”
“Affordable housing, either homes or apartments,
replacing all the parking lots, and continuation of
the effort to clean up illegal activity on the
streets.”
“More people residing in the area would make
the area safer.”
“turn abandoned housing into businesses /restaurants/ cafes
for the local community and support Uptown as an arts
destination.”
Here’s s0me what you told us about
development…

IMPLEMENT POLICIES TO PROMOTE
SUSTAINABLE & AFFORDABLE DEVELOPMENT

demand
> According to the Hill District Housing Study,
there is a demand for over 500 units of
student housing let alone additional market-
rate family housing in the Greater Hill
> If we don’t meet this demand, it encourages
property owners to convert single family
homes
BUT TO MEET THIS DEMAND AND REDUCE COSTS
FOR EXISTING RESIDENTS, WE HAVE TO ADDRESS
WHAT MAKES BUILDING HERE EXPENSIVE

This is 5th & Dinwiddie today – there are some
sites that could be redeveloped over time

The problem is that current zoning limits what can be built
and we end up with variances, ground floor parking (instead
of commercial uses and high housing costs

The idea is to change these
rules from this…
…to this – higher densities where it makes sense in
exchange for affordable housing, commercial
ground floor use, etc.

2.3 IMPLEMENT POLICIES TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE AND AFFORDABLE DEVELOPMENT
> Encourage density and mixed uses in targeted areas
This could look something like this – a protected neighborhood core
where new development would match the scale of the existing homes
and higher densities closer to the arena and university

DIVERSIFY HOUSING OPTIONS
> Promote
homeownership
> Look for
opportunities to
create new
senior housing
> Create student
housing to
relieve pressure
on existing
homes
> Support
live/work space
where possible
But as development occurs, we need a diversity of housing types

The idea is to help encourage retail along 5th but also spaces for new
businesses and jobs. 5th becomes a vibrant corridor again, driven by
new offices, workspaces and retail.
Integral to this is to support the needs of existing businesses by
helping to market local businesses and improve the look and feel of 5th
to welcome new customers
REVIVE COMMERCIAL CORRIDORS
New development could help to support more services – today, There is
very little demand for new retail.

CREATE SPACE FOR JOBS
And critically important, we must retain flexible space for new and
growing businesses

CREATE SPACE FOR JOBS
These are all of the potential commercial spaces in the community that
could support new jobs – we should preserve these structures where
possible.

PROVIDE
CHOICE IN
MOBILITY &
ACCESSIBILITY

Unfortunately, uptown / west Oakland is dominated by car
traffic resulting in “places” like this.

The result is far too many crashes, many involving pedestrians.
Note the darker blue areas – these are hotspots of crashes in
2013-2014. we need safer streets for everyone.

INCREASE TRANSPORATION CHOICE TO DECREASE
CONGESTION
Uptown has way too many
cars passing through but
also a large number
commuting to work in the
community – almost 7 in 10
are driving a car
It goes without saying that
the space a car takes up is
significantly more than that
of a bike or multiple people
riding a bus. Too many cars
result in congestion and poor
air quality

We need to offer true choice in how to get around. If you
want to drive, you should be able to do so but if you want
to take transit, bike or walk, these should also be safe and
efficient options.

CREATE A HUMAN-SCALED NEIGHBORHOOD
STREET NETWORK This means designing for pedestrians,
children and those with disabilities.

BOULEVARD OF THE ALLIES: The original idea…
“With an ample roadway for all
kinds of traffic, with trees for
shade and decoration, with a broad
promenade overlooking the river
and the hills to the south, it would
furnish rare and much-needed
facilities for recreation”
1910 Olmstead plan for pittsburgh
But also tackling some larger ideas…like boulevard of the
allies

Look at the license plate – you can’t make this up

The boulevard is simply too fast, causes too many accidents
and creates pollution. And most of these issues are not
caused by anyone in the community

For blank buildings For empty / underused lots For intersections
So what could be done? There are some ideas that can be done without
any changes to the blvd itself. improvements like these could help to
create a buffer between uptown and the blvd and, present a much better
face to those passing by…

But we should
also start a
conversation
about the
design of the
road

+- Creates large promenade
- Opportunity for landscaping
- Retains 2 driving lanes during
high traffic times
-- Expensive
- Requires active
management /
monitoring
This option
allows the same
number of cars
to pass through
by using a middle
alternating lane
– more space is
created for a
trail / overlook
facing the river

+- Creates large promenade
- Opportunity for median
landscaping – a true
boulevard!
-- Very expensive
- Politically very
difficult to
accomplish
This is a more
aggressive
approach that
slows traffic,
allows a turn
lane – better
access to
uptown – and a
lot more green
space to improve
air quality

The blvd could be a very different space – one that allows
passing traffic but also offers amenities for uptown
residents

IMPLEMENT TRANSIT IMPROVEMENTS ON FIFTH
& FORBES
For us, this is about safety, infrastructure and funding
You’ve told us about the issues
with safety, fast moving cars,
poor sidewalks and street
flooding.

A DEDICATED BUS LANE OPENS UP FUNDING WE WOULD NOT
HAVE ACCESS TO OTHERWISE TO FIX THESE ISSUES WITH OUR
STREETS AND INFRASTRUCTURE
AND THESE UPGRADES DON’T INCLUDE STREET or INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS

SO how COULD IT WORK?
THERE ARE OPTIONS
TODAY, THE WIDTH OF BOTH
5TH AND FORBES
ENCOURAGES speeding.

BOTH OF THESE OPTIONS SHOW SPACE FOR CARS, PARKING, BUSES, BIKES AND
PEDESTRIANS. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE LOCATION OF THE BIKE LANE. A
similar approach can be taken to 5TH AVENUE.

Bike / Ped Counters
Real Time
Parking Data
Open Data
Real-Time Transit Data
Electric /av fleets
Transit
SignaL
Priority
SmartPGH
Sensor
Network
BUILD A SMARTER UPTOWN
We’re talking about using new technology to improve safety,
monitor traffic and manage parking

Event management strategy
• Distribute parking toward downtown
• Use real-time data to manage traffic / parking
• Shuttle to remote parking
• Expand incentives to not drive to the game
ESTABLISH A DISTRICT PARKING STRATEGY
Yes, the community will change but it should not be at the expense of
residents. We have to find a way to better manage arena events

CARROT
stick
We need to work to slowly transition those that don’t
have to drive to choose other options – just a few ideas
that have worked in other neighborhoods
• Expand financial incentives for
commuters
• More shuttle services
• Create more Park & Ride
• Encourage Ridesharing and
Carpooling
• Credit toward bike purchase
• Improve Ped/Bike Infrastructure
• Parking pricing for visitors
• Traffic calming
• HOV preference parking

INVEST IN
SUSTAINABLE
INFRASTRUCTURE

“More green spaces like a play ground and
place for the kids to play. They are always
outside, which is great, but have to play
baseball in the streets and explore the
alleys for fun.”
“The boulevard of the Allies should not be a "highway." It
should be more of a true boulevard - slower and more
attractive.”
“Severe runoff is a problem, especially in heavy
rainstorms water cascades from Fifth to Forbes, via
connector streets such as Moultrie.”
“Too much of our neighborhood is used for parking. This space
could be better used for bike lands, pedestrian safety, parks,
etc.”
Here’s some of what you said about
green space & infrastructure

USE LANDSCAPING TO ENHANCE LOCAL
QUALITY OF LIFE
> Encourage alternative approaches to managing vacant land
including greening, gardening and other uses
> Maximize local food production opportunities – let’s make
the most of the community’s interest and experience in
gardening / farming

> Update sewer/water laterals where possible.
> Focus on stormwater retention strategies at the
surface to ease the burden on sewer systems.
UPDATE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

Watson street near boyd
floods…a lot. What if we created
a “blue alley” to better manage
this issue but also retain parking
and create some outdoor space?

CREATE AND EXPAND OPEN SPACE AMENITIES
FOR RESIDENTS
Remember this comparison? Uptown has significantly less open
space than surrounding neighborhoods

Here are the opportunities we’ve discussed with you to
expand existing open space and create new ones

Communitypark:
Tustinstreet
Civicplaza:
5th/dinwiddie
We asked you
about
programming,
here are some
of your ideas

Gateway park:
Near the Birmingham
bridge
blue alleysHillside park
We asked you
about
programming,
here are some
of your ideas
AIR QUALITY MONITORS / SCRUBBERS

Think of the unused
land and surface
parking here. What if we
created a new park to
better link uptown and
the hill district?

And Tustin street.
What if we created a
true community park
and improved the
street to address
frequent flooding?

CREATE NEW GREEN CONNECTIONS
We absolutely need a
clear and safe
connection to the
heritage trail through
this area

Someone suggested colwell street be treated as a green street and that
the hillside provide trail connections to the hill district

BECOME A MODEL FOR INNOVATIVE WASTE
MANAGEMENT AND UPCYCLING
> Establish a district composting program – this provides soil
for farming / gardening
> Provide public trash and recycling receptacles where
needed

PURSUE DISTRICT ENERGY
For more reliable and less expensive electricity
Combined heat and power solar
Here are the two main technologies to make this happen. Solar
where we can and Natural Gas combined heat and power units
distributed across the neighborhood

This map shows where these things could happen. Plus, what if
we reused the food waste from the prison and turned it into
energy? This is called a digester plant and could be considered
near 2nd avenue

DISTRICT PARKING + BATTERY STORAGE + COMBINED HEAT & POWER + BIKE
STORAGE AND BIKE SHARE + SOLAR + AIR MONITORING…
What if we looked at combining some of the community needs into
“community infrastructure hubs?” these hubs would serve the
neighborhood and could be larger…like in a parking garage…

DISTRICT PARKING + BATTERY STORAGE + COMBINED HEAT & POWER + BIKE
STORAGE AND BIKE SHARE + SOLAR + AIR MONITORING…
…or on smaller parking lots, distributed where needed

> Installing high-efficiency lighting systems and controls
> LED interior lights and street lights
> Occupancy and daylight controls
> Converting electric air conditioning to:
> Gas fired absorption chillers
> Gas fired heat pumps
> Expanding opportunities for small Combined Heat and
Power systems in commercial and multifamily new
construction
Embedding these strategies in zoning and building codes would increase
the use of renewable energy in Uptown and create jobs in the installation
and maintenance of these systems
But we also need to Reduce energy demand
by:

So to quickly recap, here Just a few
of the challenges you face…

The idea’s shown here are intended to take a comprehensive
approach toward ensuring an equitable community

So what do you
think?
we need
your help!

This is your
checklist of
activities, the
more you tell us,
the better this
strategy will be.
Have a question?
Ask anyone with
an ecoinnovation
shirt on.
Activity sheet

Open house_October_Slideshow

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