Presented
Presented by Mr. Ricciardi
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WHEREAS, one of the City of Pittsburgh's best unknown attributes is the steps that meander throughout our hilly terrain. For generations upon generations Pittsburghers have used them to walk to school, visit neighbors, get to the corner store or simply enjoy Pittsburgh's landscapes. These steps are found all over the City; and
WHEREAS, not long after research professor Robert Regan began working at the University of Pittsburgh, he fell in love with the City's steps and felt the need to write about them in his book: The Steps of Pittsburgh; Portrait of a City; and
WHEREAS, armed with a database of streets from the city's Department of Engineering and Construction he and photographer Tim Fabian logged 1,800 miles, riding every city street and climbing every step. The result was a map, completed in 2002, that shows the location of each of the 712 sets of wooden or concrete steps; and
WHEREAS, Robert designed maps for each of the book's six walking tours in Fineview, Lawrenceville, Oakland and the West End and two on the South Side, which introduce many readers to remote and unfamiliar terrain with breathtaking views; and
WHEREAS, this book has inspired the city and its citizens to care and preserve their steps, the largest collection of any city for generations upon generations to come.
Title
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh commends and thanks Robert Regan and Tim Fabian for exploring, and advertising the beauty of the City Steps, one of our greatest treasures and reminding all of us of their majestic properties.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that today, September 7, 2004 be hereby declared "The Steps of Pittsburgh Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.