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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 amenities include performance areas that can be programmed for a variety of community events; wide pathways through the site allow for farmer’s markets, food trucks, and other potential uses. The park is part of the LEED Neighborhood Development certification and has incorporated a stormwater management system and energy-efficient lighting. The design also allows for future amenities such as kiosks, public restrooms, stage and canopies and an interactive water feature which can be added, if additional funding is identified; and,
WHEREAS, the Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County undertook the design of the project and secured funding. The construction contract was entered into by the City. PennDOT provided construction management and oversight. The City owns the completed project. Construction began in June 2019 and is scheduled to be complete in November 2021; and,
WHEREAS, the $32.33 million construction cost was funded with a $19million TIGER Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Highway Administration, with additional funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (RACP, Multi-modal PennDOT, Multi-modal DCED, and DCNR Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund), RK Mellon Foundation, Hillman Foundation, Heinz Endowments, Colcom Foundation, Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh and the Sports and Exhibition Authority. The project was designed by HDR, Inc.; The prime construction contractor was Joseph B. Fay Company; and,
WHEREAS, through a community process and with the guidance of the Office of Public Art, local artists with connection to the Hill District (Dr. Kimberly Ellis and Amir Rashidd), a national artist (Jann Rosen-Queralt) and a local design consultant (Lake Byrd) were selected as part of the design team to develop integrated art enhancements for the project. These artists worked under LaQuatra Bonci, a sub-consultant to HDR, Inc.; and,
WHEREAS, the park’s integrated art enhancements include:
• Story walls celebrating the life of Hill District figures Martin Delany (1812-1885, abolitionist, journalist, educator) and Frankie Pace (1905-1989, community organizer);
• Wayfinding signage system highlighting the park’s amenities;
• Art pylons;
• A colored paving pattern depicting the Sankofa Bird;
• An outdoor classroom garden with an interactive musical theme; and,
• A water course that is part of the storm water management system.
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Pittsburgh as follows:
Section 1. 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.