Title
Resolution authorizing, pursuant to Chapter 173 of the City Code, entitled "Commission on Naming Public Properties", section 173.02 "Powers and Duties," subsection (f), City Council hereby names the park created by the I-579 Cap Urban Connector Project which spans over a portion of I-579 Crosstown Boulevard and is bounded by Washington Place, Centre Ave, Chatham Street, Bigelow Boulevard and includes land to the north of Bigelow Boulevard, as Frankie Pace Park. The area in question occupies lot-block numbers 2-B-107, 2-B-257, 2-B-406, and 2-B-402.
(Public Hearing held 11/8/21)
Body
WHEREAS, in the 1950s, two things significantly impacting the Hill District occurred: (1) Interstate highway I-579 (the Crosstown Boulevard) was constructed, creating a chasm separating the historic Hill District from Downtown Central Business District, and (2) 95 adjoining acres of the Hill District were cleared in the name of urban redevelopment and most were never redeveloped (413 businesses and over 8,000 residents were forced to relocate); and,
WHEREAS, the I-579 Urban Connector Project constructs a physical bridge over a below grade portion of I-579 Crosstown Boulevard to remediate a physical and psychological barrier, re-establish connectivity and increase job and economic opportunities for the residents of the Hill District community; and,
WHEREAS, the surface of the bridge will provide a new 3-acre public park bounded by Washington Place, Centre Avenue, Chatham Street, Bigelow Boulevard and will include land to the north of Bigelow Boulevard; and,
WHEREAS, the park will provide accessible pedestrian pathways, bicycle routes, recreation and educational areas, rain gardens for storm water management, and design elements developed by artists from the neighborhood; the green lawns and gardens will buffer the sound from the adjacent streets, and all of the ground and garden plantings are of a native palette that is indigenous to Western Pennsylvania; and,
WHEREAS, park ...
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