Panther Hollow Surveys What Do You See That Interests You?

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Panther Hollow Surveys What Do You See That Interests You? Panther Hollow Surveys What do you see that interests you? 1. Phipps and Panther Hollow Confluence 2. Panther Hollow Wetland and Streams What do you see that interests you? 3. Panther Hollow Lake 4. Lake Outlet How do you use this space? 1. Phipps and Panther Hollow Confluence 2. Panther Hollow Wetland and Streams How do you use this space? 3. Panther Hollow Lake 4. Lake Outlet What would you like to do here? 1. Phipps and Panther Hollow Confluence 2. Panther Hollow Wetland and Streams What would you like to do here? 3. Panther Hollow Lake 4. Lake Outlet What is missing? 1. Phipps and Panther Hollow Confluence 2. Panther Hollow Wetland and Streams What is missing? 3. Panther Hollow Lake 4. Lake Outlet Junc9on Hollow Surveys 3 4 2 1 2 OUTDOOR CLASSROOM / WETLAND 1 JUNCTION HOLLOW STREAM TRAILHEAD JUNCTION HOLLOW ACTIVITY NODES SEPTEMBER . 06 . 2017 Staon 1: Entrance from Boundary St. How might the entrance at Boundary St. feel How might you connect from surrounding more park-like, more welcoming? neighborhoods to the JuncFon Hollow valley? Staon 2: Old Boundary Street valley What educaonal opportunies do you see for What other improvements could be made Juncon Hollow? to old Boundary Street? Staon 3: Along Junc9on Hollow trail How do you want to interact with water? What forms do you envision for Juncon Hollow’s water? Staon 4: Entrance from The Run What kind of entrance would you like to be How do you currently recreate in JuncFon created for the park? Hollow? Online Survey How do you use Panther Hollow (Schenley Park)? What features of this area do you like? Online Survey What features of this area could be improved? Concept Image Feedback: Lake Inlet Concept Image Feedback: Lake Inlet “I always thought the way the stream entered into the lake was good for contemplation early in the morning, with the fog in the air.” “If you envision a pretty place to congregate, then something akin to the water steps adjacent to PNC Park will do. For a city park, I would prefer something more wild and natural, as the photo to the left. My perspective is that of a conservationist and an angler.” Liked all three images: 192/359 Liked #1: 58 Liked #2: 14 All 3 Strongly disliked #2: 22 #1 Liked #3: 28 #2 #3 Prefer a “natural” solution: 75 Other comments Concept Image Feedback: Wetland Concept Image Feedback: Wetland “I like these. The boardwalks make the space accessible without interfering with nature or making the areas look overly engineered.” “I bet the sounds from wetlands animals in these areas would be a very relaxing break from city noises.” Liked all three images: 198/359 Liked #1: 10 Liked #2: 12 Liked #3: 47 All 3 #1 Other notable comments: mosquitos, #2 width of pathway, interpretive signage, #3 education opportunities, maintenance Other comments Concept Image Feedback: Lake Concept Image Feedback: Lake “I like the idea of being able to approach the water. Water is such a wonderful and calming substance.” “Stunning. While restoring the lake should be a priority and I support naturalized edges as part of that (with access), a better trail is a must. I understand if it needs to be offset further away from the lake.” Respondees: 359 Liked all three images: 158/359 All 3 Liked #1: 29 #1 Liked #2: 9 #2 Liked #3: 8 #3 Other comments Want natural edges: 60 Want lake to be approachable: 52 Other notable comments: concerns about stagnation, maintenance; desire for fishing, boathouse or similar structure, Concept Image Feedback: Lake Outlet Concept Image Feedback: Lake Outlet “people will never, ever, ever not cross those tracks. create the infrastructure to do it properly” “Definitely daylight as much of the stream as possible. Our region's water system is an asset that should be lauded, not pumped under the ground for no one to see and experience.” Liked all three images: 217/359 Liked #1: 6 Liked #2: 46 All 3 Liked #3: 34 #1 #2 EVERYONE CROSSES THE TRACKS! #3 Other Comments Site 1 – Junc9on Hollow entrance How would you connect surrounding neighborhoods to the Junction Hollow Valley? How might the entrance at the intersection of Boundary Street and Schenley Park (closer to Oakland/Panther Hollow Lake) feel more park like/be more welcoming? “Connect main bike/pedestrian routes from the overall neighborhood. Don't just put a nice entrance to the park that stands alone and isn't integrated into a wider access plan.” “I sort of like the 'hidden gem' feel of the current situation. Please keep entrance solution understated.” “It definitely needs an entrance. Right now it feels like you may be going onto private property. Welcome signage, a sculpture, or an arch would be nice.” Site 2 – Learning spaces What educational opportunities do you see for Junction Hollow? “Make this an opportunity for children to learn and appreciate the environment and green ideas while in the middle of their hometown... We need to teach the importance of these principles to children.” “Create and design signage explaining the stormwater management strategies, include interactive activities for kids and families to participate in” “There has to be a way to connect it to the Three Rivers Heritage and Hazelwood Trails, and the riverfront. This will allow people to better understand the flow of rain and wastewater in urban places like Oakland down into our main waterways…” Site 3 – Junc9on Hollow waterways What form(s) do you envision for Junction Hollow's waterways? How do you want to interact with water? “I would prefer wetlands or streams. There is enough concrete in the city already.” “I have seen some cities create art with their waterways, and seen videos of places where the water flowing over certain areas creates music. I think you could provide CMU (or another university) students to come up with a creative way to interact with water.” “Foremost: functional. Runoff is becoming a major issue for the run, and it would be best to mitigate that if we can.” Site 4 – Junc9on Hollow restoraon How do you currently recreate in Junction Hollow? How might the entrance at the intersection of Boundary Street and Schenley Park (closer to Greenfield/Saline Street) feel more park like/be more welcoming? “I bike through Junction Hollow regularly and find both the openness and the frequent utilization of the fields to be very inviting.” “I mostly run along this path and its the most dreary part of my run in the park. More trees would help. The access to the single track (zigzag trail) that climbs back to Bridle Trail is hidden and feels forgotten about.” “Usually I use the trails, I think many people aren’t aware of the fields because there is no clear entrance from Pitt campus” .
Recommended publications
  • Restoring the Health of Panther Hollow
    Restoring the Health of Panther Hollow Kate Evasic, Meliora Design Emily McCoy, RLA, ASLA, Andropogon Associates Project Partners • Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy • Heinz Foundation • Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority Design Team • Meliora Design • Andropogon Associates • Rothschild Doyno Collaborative • Cosmos Technologies Project Goals • Understand Panther Hollow hydrology. – Natural and Existing • Develop attainable surface water goals. – Return baseflow to Phipps Run and Panther Hollow Stream. – Mitigate the “flashiness” of runoff during heavy storm events. • Identify range of possible interventions & priority locations for pilot projects. • Design and construct three pilot projects in the watershed. Looking at Panther Hollow • Four Mile Run Sewershed • CMU, Pitt • Oakland, Squirrel Hill Looking at Panther Hollow Water Land People Rothschild Doyno Colaborative Water Original Watershed Monongahela Panther Hollow 4-Mile Run Understanding Historic Conditions • Overlaid watershed with • Overlaid historic streams historic maps. with current topography & aerials. Source: Map of Pittsburgh, J.F. Diffenbacher, Publisher of City Directory, 1885. Provided by the Darlington Library. Defining the Watersheds • Revised watershed boundary based on field notes. ORIGINAL AREA = 780 AC REVISED AREA = 384 AC Original Watershed: Forest • Divided watershed into pre-columbian subbasins. PHIPPS RUN = 67 AC PANTHER HOLLOW STREAM = 300 AC PANTHER HOLLOW LAKE = 17 AC Existing Watershed: Direct Drainage Water from these areas typically makes its way into the
    [Show full text]
  • B-3) RA Ruskin Hall (F-1) SC* Falk School (C-1
    I I I I I I BRACKENR N BAPST . BELLEF I DG PLAZA E CATHO MELWD . Parking Services Office P SP CR RUSKSCHEN LS 127 N. Bellefield Avenue AUL D LLT CHDEVMW I BE T ALKS AR P E E F V WEBSR ARKMAN WF I T E N L VA CR E R D E VENU T CRA A M H A T ULE RUSKN FIFT E ENNYS VENU S O U MUSIC S R RAND LANGY O A T TV W B RA P U S COST A O E P UC S I VE SUTHD L O RY S T . T U O HEN N Y UTD N H SC . Q GEL I T CLAPP U O E M A FRA B T S L T MELLI C S BL O VE L C . H CC T A N R N E CHVRN . BE I AH EBERL E V A AS A WYNUC D I S T. B VENU P I PSCOM R WINTHRO I BLDG5 K L T O M E D G V T P VENU LEF H R I ANTH FRAT Y ALUM A R R FRA T UD SRCC S I E D U S H CRGSQ N R I I V E BELLH T W B T D I OC D F . R IG E T F H THA T I HEINZ G I L M O R E S N F IRVIS E UNIVERS F E L O SOSAM ELOW E A OE OSC D E AA L P LR S T R T A T LRDC VNGRF CATHEDRAL .
    [Show full text]
  • C E E Newsletter
    C E E NEWSLETTER Carnegie Mellon ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE CEE’s SUMMER CEE Students 15 Connection 12 Win ASCE With TV’s & Awards ‘The Office’ Al Gore 10 Visits CMU SPRING CEE AlumniSee back cover Events! for details CEE Department Head JIM GARRETT reetings from CEE at Carnegie Mellon! We just completed another excellent academic year, punctuated by an exciting and memorable commencement ceremony. The ceremony featured former Vice President Al Gore, who charged the graduates to lead this country to a more sustainable future and recognized G our department and university as leaders in this mission, and Professor Randy Pausch, who encouraged the graduates to be passionate about how they spend each day. At our CEE graduation ceremony, I was also pleasantly surprised, and touched, to receive a senior class gift from every one of our graduating seniors for use in supporting the Class of 2009. These seniors, a talented group who won many external awards, also clearly demonstrated the community spirit we so often talk about here in CEE. We send our best wishes to all of these graduates as they commence the next phase of their lives. The highlighted theme of this newsletter is environmental sustainability, which we have actively researched and taught courses on since the early 1990’s. One of the most significant contributions to this area has been the Economic Input Output Life-Cycle Assessment (EIO- LCA) tool that has permitted efficient and effective LCA analyses in a large number of domains. This powerful tool, publicly available at www.eiolca.net since 1997, has been very widely used because of its accessibility and flexibility.
    [Show full text]
  • Four Mile Run Stormwater Improvement Project
    Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority FOUR MILE RUN STORMWATER IMPROVEMENT PROJECT September 17, 2018 at Phipps Conservatory Robert Weimar, Executive Director, PWSA James J. Stitt, Manager of Sustainability, PWSA Megan Zeigler, Green Infrastructure Project Manager, PWSA PITTSBURGH HAS * * STORMWATER ISSUES * FLOODING BASEMENT BACKUPS * * SEWER OVERFLOWS * EROSION RUNOFF Aerial Image: Google Earth PITTSBURGH HAS STORMWATER ISSUES THE FOUR MILE RUN PROJECT IS A STRATEGY TO MANAGE THEM Aerial Image: Google Earth OUR GOAL: To improve water quality and create safe, flood-prepared neighborhoods that are healthier places to live. Aerial Image: Google Earth OAKLAND SCHENLEY PARK SQUIRREL HILL SOUTH OAKLAND THE RUN WHAT DO THESE GREENFIELD NEIGHBORHOODS HAZELWOOD HAVE IN COMMON? Aerial Image: Google Earth OAKLAND SCHENLEY PARK SQUIRREL HILL SOUTH OAKLAND THE RUN M29 WHAT DO THESE GREENFIELD NEIGHBORHOODS HAZELWOOD HAVE IN COMMON? THEY ALL DRAIN TO Aerial Image: Google Earth CSO M29 Historical Image Files: University of Pittsburgh SHARED HISTORY Stream Junction Hollow Historical Image FIles. University of Pittsburgh SHARED HISTORY Panther Hollow Run Historical Image FIles. University of Pittsburgh SHARED HISTORY Mouth of Little Panther Hollow Historical Image FIles. University of Pittsburgh SHARED HISTORY Pipe Under Junction Hollow Historical Image FIles. University of Pittsburgh SHARED HISTORY Backfilled Trench Historical Image FIles. University of Pittsburgh CONSENT DECREE EARLY GREEN STORMWATER PROJECTS GREEN FIRST PLAN PPC VISION TODAY PUBLIC MEETING
    [Show full text]
  • Table of Contents
    Table of Contents Acknowledgements Recommendations Oakland Strategic Visioning Process 1 i Past Planning Efforts ii The Future of Oakland: A Community Investment Strategy Summary of Issues 7 Urban Design Analysis 12 i Existing Conditions ii Institutional Master Plans iii Other Master Plans and Studies iv Concurrences, Conflicts, and Gaps v Areas of Opportunity Transportation Analysis 47 i Transportation Issues ii Transportation Guiding Principles iii Transportation Alternatives Benchmarking Summary 67 i Lessons from Benchmarking Trips ii Conclusions from Quantitative Benchmarking Recommended Projects 77 Introduction a Create a Sense of Place in Oakland b Make it Easier to Get Into and Around In Oakland c Stimulate Neighborhood Revitalization d Foster Technology Development Project Charts The Future of Oakland Acknowledgements Mayor Oakland Task Force Member Organizations Tom Murphy Carlow College Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh City Council Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh Gene Ricciardi President Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Barbara Burns Children's Hospital Twanda Carlisle City of Pittsburgh Jim Ferlo Magee Womens Hospital Alan Hertzberg Oakland Business Improvement District Jim Motznik Oakland Community Council Bob O'Connor Oakland Planning and Development Corporation Bill Peduto Oakland Transportation Management Sala Udin Association Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Pittsburgh Board of Public Education Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Pittsburgh Playhouse of Point Park College Port Authority of Allegheny County Public
    [Show full text]
  • The Oakland Code Enforcement Project Minutes December 20, 2017
    Oakwatch: The Oakland Code Enforcement Project Minutes December 20, 2017 Oakwatch Mission: The Oakland Code Enforcement Project works to improve the quality of life in Oakland by bringing people and institutions together to identify code violations, advocate for their remediation and monitor the outcomes. In attendance: Lizabeth Gray, Elena Zaitsoff, David Manthei, John Wilds, Kenneth Eckenrode, Michael Medwed, Blithe Runsford, John Tokarski, Mark Oleniacz, Rebekkah Ranallo, Wanda Wilson, Julie Reiland, Vicky Butch, Guy Johnson, Teri Fazio, Jamie Ducar, Ron Griffin, David Shiflen, Herschel Merenstein I. Introductions: Elena Zaitsoff, Chair: (5 minutes) II. Permits, Licensing & Inspections, Q&A (10 minutes) Julie Reiland, Community Liaison See the PLI Year in Review attachment below (pages 8-9). Fully staffed for first time in years. New positions: Code Enforcement Officer a legal position— can help with tricky legal cases in zoning, etc. Project Manager—software. New appeals board for code violations up and running in January. Hope to see Rental Registration implemented in 2018. Hope to scan occupancy and other permits in 2018 to make information more accessible. Elena thanked Julie for her report. III. Noise Score Demonstration, (5 minutes): Lizabeth Gray demonstrated free app called Noise Score (now available on iPhone only) that can measure noise. App can record both video and audio and can then be emailed. Can be shared with 311. Officer Butch noted that police still have to hear/see issue firsthand to be able to enforce. Hersch Merenstein said he will look into city using app the way other cities have. IV. Oakland Public Safety, Q&A (15 minutes) a.
    [Show full text]
  • Pittsburgh, Pa), Photographs, 1892- 1981 (Bulk 1946-1965)
    Allegheny Conference On Community Development Page 1 Allegheny Conference On Community Development (Pittsburgh, Pa), Photographs, 1892- 1981 (bulk 1946-1965) Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania Archives MSP# 285 30 boxes (Boxes 1-22 Prints, Boxes 23-28 Negatives, Box 28 Transparencies, Boxes 29-30 Oversized Prints) Table of Content: Historical Note page 1 Scope and Content Note page 2 Series I: Prints page 2 Sub-series: Aviation page 3 Sub-series: Buildings page 3 Sub-series: Culture page 3 Sub-series: Education page 3 Sub-series: Golden Triangle page 4 Sub-series: Health & Welfare page 4 Sub-series: Highways page 4 Sub-series: Historical page 4 Sub-series: Housing page 4 Sub-series: Miscellaneous page 5 Sub-series: PA Pitt Partner’s Program page 5 Sub-series: Personnel page 5 Sub-series: Publications page 5 Sub-series: Recreation page 6 Sub-series: Research page 6 Sub-series: Smoke Control page 6 Sub-series: Stadiums page 6 Sub-series: Transportation page 6 Sub-series: Urban Redevelopment page 7 Series II: Negatives page 7 Sub-Series: Glass Plate Negatives page 7 Series III: Transparencies page 7 Series IV: Oversized Prints & Negatives page 7 Provenance page 8 Restrictions and Separations page 8 Catalog Entries page 8 Container List page 10 Series I: Prints page 10 Sub-series: Aviation page 10 Sub-series: Buildings page 10 Sub-series: Culture page 14 Allegheny Conference On Community Development Page 2 Sub-series: Education page 16 Sub-series: Golden Triangle page 20 Sub-series: Health & Welfare page 22 Sub-series: Highways page
    [Show full text]
  • Pittsburgh, PA), Records, 1920-1993 (Bulk 1960-90)
    Allegheny Conference On Community Development (Pittsburgh, PA), Records, 1920-1993 (bulk 1960-90) Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania Archives MSS# 285 377 boxes (Box 1-377); 188.5 linear feet Table of Contents Historical Note Page 2 Scope and Content Note Page 3 Series I: Annual Dinner Page 4 Series II: Articles Page 4 Series III: Community Activities Advisor Page 4 Series IV: Conventions Page 5 Series V: Director of Planning Page 5 Series VI: Executive Director Page 5 Series VII: Financial Records Page 6 Series VIII: Highland Park Zoo Page 6 Series IX: Highways Page 6 Series X: Lower Hill Redevelopment Page 6 Series XI: Mellon Square Park Page 7 Series XII: News Releases Page 7 Series XIII: Pittsburgh Bicentennial Association Page 7 Series XIV: Pittsburgh Regional Planning Association Page 7 Series XV: Point Park Committee Page 7 Series XVI: Planning Page 7 Series XVII: Recreation, Conservation and Park Council Page 8 Series XVIII: Report Library Page 8 Series XIX: Three Rivers Stadium Page 8 Series XX: Topical Page 8 Provenance Page 9 Restrictions and Separations Page 9 Container List Series I: Annual Dinner Page 10 Series II: Articles Page 13 Series III: Community Activities Advisor Page 25 Series IV: Conventions Page 28 Series V: Director of Planning Page 29 Series VI: Executive Director Page 31 Series VII: Financial Records Page 34 Series VIII: Highland Park Zoo Page 58 Series IX: Highways Page 58 Series X: Lower Hill Page 59 Series XI: Mellon Square Park Page 60 Series XII: News Releases Page 61 Allegheny Conference On Community
    [Show full text]
  • Parking Lots for ZZ, VN, and PD Permits, University Vehicles
    Helpful Hints for Parking at Pitt ZZ, VN, BD, and PD permits as well as University vehicles are issued to vendors and University personnel whose jobs require them to park in different University locations throughout the day. Following are some helpful hints for using your ZZ, VN, BD, or PD Parking Lots for permits, as well as University vehicles: ZZ, VN, BD, and • A ZZ, VN, BD, or PD permit, as well as a University vehicle, • If you’ve locked your keys in your car or need a jump allows you to park close to most University buildings and start, the Motorist Assistance Program (MAP) is here PD Permits you are not restricted to just one lot. That means that you for you. Call MAP for assistance at 412-624-4034 during can move about campus throughout the day as your business Parking Services Office hours or Pitt police at412-624-2121 University Vehicles requires. at all other times. • If you park in Soldiers and Sailors (SO) garage, you must • Park your vehicle only in spaces specifically marked for take your hangtag and entry ticket to the cashier before parking. The absence of a “No Parking” sign in a certain exiting with your vehicle. The cashier will validate your entry area does not mean that parking is allowed there. For example, ticket and you will use it to exit the garage. yellow curbs and hash marks mean no parking. • Regulations differ from one parking area to another, and • You may occasionally park in a restricted lot for 15 certain lots and garages are reserved at all times.
    [Show full text]
  • The Following Are Questions Submitted to the University of Pittsburgh by a Community Resident
    The following are questions submitted to the University of Pittsburgh by a community resident: Updated 4/9/2019 1) As you know, it took nearly five months for my 18 questions to be answered by university officials. I would like you to focus on one question that was not answered honestly. In the list of questions, I had previously mentioned that the purpose of the city's $3 million dollar grant application with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development was to build a roadway from the old Almono site in Hazelwood, through The Run and Panther Hollow, and to Pitt and CMU. I then said that at a December 7, 2015 community meeting concerning the above mentioned roadway, Director of City Planning Ray Gastil said the roadway would traverse the back area of Pitt's Panther Hollow parking lot. I asked the question: "Who at the University of Pittsburgh said to the city that this property could be used for a roadway?" The answer was: "The University of Pittsburgh does not have plans to transition that property into a roadway." That response does not answer the question honestly. Once again, who at the University of Pittsburgh said to the city that this property could be used for a roadway? Provide the name or names of those individuals. The chancellor would have the answer. We are not aware of anyone at the University authorizing the use of Pitt’s Panther Hollow parking lot for a roadway. 2) When the streets in the heart of our business district are being decimated by predominantly dormitories, student housing, and university‐owned buildings, how can you grow an eclectic, multi‐ ethnic, longtime residential community? The University of Pittsburgh is committed to continuing to invest in the Oakland Business Improvement District through direct annual support, partnership for events and programming, and participation through having representatives active on the Board of Directors amongst other activities.
    [Show full text]
  • Pittsburgh Regional Parks Master Plan Is Estimated to Cost $113.5 Million of Public and Private Funds
    PITTSBURGH’S REGIONAL PARKS MASTER PLAN A New Ethic of Stewardship "The beauty of the park . should be the beauty of the fields, the meadow, the prairie, of the green pastures, and the still waters. What we want to gain is tran- quility and rest to the mind . A great object of all that is done in a park, of all the art of the park, is to influence the mind of men through their imagination." Frederick Law Olmsted (Public Parks and the Enlargement of Towns, 1870) PITTSBURGH’S REGIONAL PARKS MASTER PLAN A New Ethic of Stewardship PREPARED FOR: CITY OF PITTSBURGH - DEPARTMENT OF CITY PLANNING PITTSBURGH PARKS CONSERVANCY PREPARED BY: LAQUATRA BONCI ASSOCIATES / MICHAEL A. STERN BIOHABITATS,INC. TAI +LEE ARCHITECTS LANDSCAPES • LA • PLANNING • HP EARTHWARE / LANDBASE SYSTEMS Acknowledgements The Pittsburgh Regional Parks Master City of Pittsburgh Consultants Plan relied heavily on Task Force Eloise Hirsh, Director LaQuatra Bonci Associates and members from Frick, Highland, Department of City Planning Michael A. Stern, Landscape Riverview and Schenley Parks. They (1994 - 2000) Architects and Lead Consultants were from every walk of life, were full Susan Golomb, Director LANDSCAPES•LA•Planning•HP, of passion for and knowledge about Department of City Planning with Barry Hannegan, PHLF and their parks, and contributed many vol- (current, 2000 - ) Eliza Brown, Historic Preservation unteer hours and invaluable ideas to Duane Ashley, Director Biohabitats, Inc., Ecology this document. These same Task Force Department of Parks and Recreation Tai + Lee Architects, Architecture members will help guide and imple- Guy Costa, Director Earthware / Landbase Systems, ment the Plan for years to follow.
    [Show full text]
  • Allegheny Regional Asset District: City Regional Park
    Performance Audit ALLEGHENY REGIONAL ASSET DISTRICT CITY REGIONAL PARK FUNDING Report by the Office of City Controller MICHAEL E. LAMB CITY CONTROLLER Douglas W. Anderson, Deputy Controller Anabell Kinney, Management Auditor Gloria Novak, Assistant Management Auditor Ron Ieraci, Research Aide Dave Henderson, Performance Auditor Mandy McKnight, Performance Auditor September 2011 September 8, 2011 To the Honorables: Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Members of Pittsburgh City Council: The Office of City Controller is pleased to present this Performance Audit of Allegheny Regional Asset District (ARAD ) City Regional Park Funding conducted pursuant to the Controller’s powers under Section 404(c) of the Pittsburgh Home Rule Charter. This audit assesses City compliance with Allegheny Regional Asset District contract requirements and performance in utilizing ARAD funds to maintain its regional park system. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Allegheny Regional Asset District (ARAD) is a special purpose county-wide unit of local government that was authorized by the Pennsylvania Legislature (Act 77 of 1993). Act 77 provided for the enactment of a 1% county-wide sales tax collected by the State Department of Revenue. Fifty percent (50%) of the revenue goes directly to the County and municipal governments for local tax reduction. The remaining half is sent to ARAD for disbursement to support regional assets, defined as libraries, parks, and cultural amenities. The City’s regional parks are among the assets recognized and funded by ARAD. Public Works Parks Division crews may be called upon to perform jobs outside of park boundaries to assist in snow removal, pothole repair, and other tasks. Public Work Streets Division crews are also called upon to perform jobs within the regional parks as needed for trail repair, storm damage, construction, maintenance and road work.
    [Show full text]