2016 ANNUAL REPORT 1 2 TO THE COMMUNITY: In my life’s interest of advancing fitness and well-being, I see every day the benefits of dedicating attention to regular exercise and healthy eating. While the particular outlets vary—running, biking, field and racquet sports, yoga and weightlifting; vegan, vegetarian or omnivore—the goal is the same: to create core strength to enable a person to enjoy life to the fullest and to enhance longevity. Similarly at RAD, the fitness of our regional assets relies on core funding—the type of funds that assets can use at their discretion to sustain day-to-day operations. While their program focus may vary—libraries, parks, sports and civic facilities, arts and culture, and transportation—this core support is vital to their well-being, to creating well-managed, fully operational regional assets that are critically important to our region. While RAD provides substantial funds for capital projects, the hallmark of RAD funding has been operating support—also known as unrestricted funds that can be used for the core functions of the assets, such as staf, rent or mortgages, utilities and program costs. This primary focus on core support, however, means that RAD spends considerable time engaging in a comprehensive review of each applicant, focused on understanding programming, governance, finances, outreach and outcomes. This past year, in fact, we were pleased to enhance the role of our Citizen Advisory Board to provide additional assessment of applicants to enrich our understanding. As you review this report, you will see that core funding support from RAD helps our regional assets not only to maintain, but to upgrade and improve programs and facilities that are the jewels in our community. With reliable core funding, RAD assets seek new audiences, present world premieres and leverage this support for new donors. On behalf of the RAD Board and staf, I hope you will find time this year to enjoy our regional assets. Sincerely, Daniel J. Griffin RAD BOARD CHAIR 1 MISSION Our mission is to support and finance regional assets in the areas of libraries, parks, cultural, sports, and civic facilities and programs. 2 2016 AT A GLANCE 24,193,828 people visited the assets in 2016 683,739 free tickets were provided by the assets to those who might not otherwise have been able to attend $734,886,600 in direct expenses was contributed to our local economy by the assets, including $353 million by the Port Authority 63,823,513 people use the Port Authority for transit 10,764 people were employed by the regional assets 10,989,049 3 items circulated at the regional libraries Libraries have existed as long as records have been kept—or about 5,000 years. At their core, the public libraries in Allegheny County are community spaces with free access to information and resources (just not on clay tablets or papyrus scrolls anymore). 4 HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2016 LIBRARIES The Allegheny County Library Association Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh unveiled a (ACLA) developed dozens of partnerships, new website, carnegielibrary.org, designed to coordinating the work of individual libraries respond to multiple device sizes. Behind-the- so they didn’t have to do this themselves. For scenes management of the site is now more example, ACLA partnered with the Allegheny efcient and streamlined, enhancing the user County Department of Human Services to experience. collect books for summer programming, connect libraries with summer food sites and A grand reopening took place at CLP-Knoxville, provide magazines for its county waiting rooms. celebrating a renovation that included an expansion of the building footprint, a new In 2016 ACLA Mobile Services (often called HVAC system, the addition of an elevator and bookmobiles) conducted nearly 1200 visits, the elimination of all remaining accessibility including preschool story times, and visits to barriers in order to bring the building into senior centers and other community sites compliance with the Americans with Disabilities in 47 separate municipalities. Seniors Act (ADA). The renovation won two awards living in residential facilities often from the American Institute of Architecture. have few opportunities for library visits, so Mobile Services makes it At the suggestion of staf from The Labs, the possible for them to browse and Ofce of Digital Strategy developed a list of borrow materials. open-source creative tools to be installed on public PCs. These tools provide resources in ACLA assisted libraries in image, audio and video editing to the public at achieving compliance with zero cost to the Library. The eiNetwork pushed standards and other requirements. the collection to all public PCs, providing patrons with greater access to design and ACLA and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh experiment with digital media creation. partnered on “Love Your Library,” a month- long public awareness and library support Though the work of the eiNetwork is typically campaign. ACLA leveraged the online donor behind the scenes—upgrading servers, portal (constructed with RAD support) to allow improving public wifi, installing a new firewall, library-specific donations. Libraries collectively adding service at the Millvale Community generated more than $530,000, and received Library—the impact is seen every day with a $.25 match per dollar from the Buncher faster, modern features. Foundation. That total represents nearly 5,000 donors, including more than 1,000 new donors. “Love Your Library” will be back again in 2017. 5 Our regional parks and trails are at the center of our community’s livability, providing recreation, relaxation and ecological diversity. 6 HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2016 PARKS AND TRAILS Improvements were made to many existing generate interest in tennis among elementary facilities at the Allegheny County Regional and middle school-aged children. Parks using RAD funds, including replacing the tennis and pickleball courts in North Park. With trail funding coordinated through the Accessible bleachers were installed at the three Allegheny Land Trust, nearly 5,000 linear feet new deck hockey rinks at South Park, Settlers of the Yough River Trail were improved with Cabin, and North Park. Round Hill Pond was stabilization materials and resurfacing. dredged and restored and a new dam was As part of its 100th anniversary year, the constructed. An ecological assessment was Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania completed at Boyce Park and followed up with identified sites for and is helping to supervise the planting of more than 100 trees. The Parks the construction of 100 Chimney Swift habitats Department continued to build on and expand in the nine Allegheny County Parks, improving the Park Ranger program that was initiated in the species’ long-term survival. 2015 with RAD funding. The Pittsburgh Botanic Garden used RAD The City of Pittsburgh Regional operating funds for education programming and Parks used RAD funding to pay for to display beds of annuals and curated plantings core operating costs, including that increase the area’s biodiversity and clean employee salaries, general parks the area’s watershed. maintenance, utilities, equipment and vehicles. This support helps RAD support of the Western Pennsylvania makes possible a wide variety Conservancy helps to cover basic costs (garden of recreational and community preparation, purchase of flowers, planting events, such as Valentines on Ice mulching, watering and volunteer coordination) at the Schenley Ice Rink, the Richard and is then combined with community sponsors S. Caliguiri Great Race, time trials and and volunteers to make possible 90 community criterium racing at the Bud Harris Cycling flower gardens throughout the County. One of Track in Highland Park and free jazz concerts at the most visible is located at the entrance of the Riverview Park. Fort Pitt Tunnel. The newest was added last year in Pleasant Hills. In addition to using RAD operating funds to maintain, enhance and prepare for seasonal events at Renziehausen Park, the City of McKeesport capital funds were used to resurface and renovate Renzie’s tennis courts, which then made it possible to create a new partnership with the McKeesport Area School District to 7 HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2016 REGIONAL FACILITIES Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens significantly expanded the footprint of the dazzling Winter Light Garden, responding to heightened visitor interest in the intersection of botanics with seasonal colors and lights. Seeking to connect people of all ages with the natural world, Conservatory programs attracted nearly one in five of the region’s children to on- and of-site programs with targeted initiatives to reach underserved youth. A new baby sloth at the National Aviary helped lead to the single largest paid attendance day ever at the North Side institution. As part of its research mission, the Aviary published a groundbreaking study on the Louisiana Waterthrush, as well as the results of a multi- year study on the habitat of the endangered Andean condor in southern Ecuador. The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium rang in the new year with the birth of an Amur leopard cub, in addition to welcoming inhabitants for the forthcoming Jungle Odyssey exhibit, including capybaras (otherwise known as the largest rodent or guinea pig in the world) and Brazilian giant anteaters. Behind the scenes, the Zoo made utility infrastructure improvements to support the remaining phases of the Top of the World exhibit. The Zoo also conducted, supported, or advised on 65 research and conservation projects on all seven continents. Formerly City-owned institutions, special facilities like the Pittsburgh Zoo, Phipps Conservatory and National Aviary are regional 8 anchors of education and entertainment. 9 9 10 HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2016 ARTS AND CULTURE Core funding for arts and culture organizations—funds that can go to salaries, rent, utilities, or anywhere the organization designates—unlocks creativity and innovation. At the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, nearly Chamber Music Pittsburgh launched its 700 employees gathered for the first institution- new Pittsburgh Performs series, including a wide Learn & Connect Day, engaging in sessions collaboration with comedy improvisers that on identity, inclusion and equity.