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WHEREAS, in 1990's, two local organizations, The Hazelwood Neighborhood Maintenance Task Force, which addressed ongoing quality of life issues such as abandoned housing, maintenance of public infrastructure, and crime, and The Economic Leveraging Partnership, which garnered financial resources for community development, began working in coalition for a new community vision for redevelopment of Hazelwood; and,
WHEREAS, their successful work lead to vast cross membership in both organizations and the formation of the Hazelwood Initiative in 1999; and,
WHEREAS, broadening its strategic role, the Hazelwood Initiative has facilitated and implemented a community-focused vision planning process for Hazelwood that has led to the organization becoming one of the most lauded and effective community based organizations in the City of Pittsburgh; and,
WHEREAS, the Hazelwood Initiative has facilitated important programs to improve Hazelwood including the organization of six block clubs; working with PA Cleanways to cleanup three illegal dumpsites- Chatsworth Street, Paw Paw Way, and the Greenway; installed three public art pieces and facilitated placement of two Sprout Fund Murals in strategic locations along Second Avenue beautifying the area; and helping HI HOPE (Health Outreach Promoting Empowerment) achieve success that resulted in being awarded State Health Improvement Partner status (SHIP); and,
WHEREAS, the Hazelwood Initiative has made a tremendous impact for community members in quality of life while inviting people from throughout the city to get to know this wonderful community through conducting seven Oktoberfest 5K runs that introduced 100s of new folks to Hazelwood; 23 summer concerts, first at the Hazelwood Carnegie Library and currently at the Sitting Garden, attended by well over 1,000 people; providing a Safe Halloween event for the past nine years for the children of Greater Hazelwood, giving out an average of 400 bags of safe treats to children under 10 years old; and producing 75 issues of a monthly newspaper that is delivered free of charge to over 3,300 households in Greater Hazelwood and Hays; and,
WHEREAS, under the leadership of long-time Executive Director Jim Ricther, the Hazelwood Initiative continues to create a community driven future for Hazelwood and form new parnerships including working with Pittsburgh Housing Development Corporation on six new houses; restoration of the historic 18th Century Woods House with Pittsburgh History and Landmarks and the Urban Redevelopment Authority; identifying a new use and tenant for the abandoned historic Carnegie Library building; and helping to foster continued Keystone Opportunity Zone development;
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NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby lauds the Hazelwood Initiative on its 10th Anniversary and does hereby declare Saturday, October 10, 2009, to be "HAZELWOOD INITATIVE DAY" in the City of Pittsburgh.