southside green - opening presentation

April 10 through 12, 2014

Rendering by Becky Lotka

WELCOME!


Pittsburgh Green Infrastructure Network (GIN)• The GIN, founded in 2008, is a voluntary

network of individuals representing over 80 organizations who advocate for the design and installation of green infrastructure to help create healthy and sustainable Pittsburgh communities. The GIN is organized by 3 Rivers Wet Weather.


Why are we here...

• Pittsburgh area is serviced largely by a combined sewer system and is under Consent Decree (PWSA, ALCOSAN) to provide drastic reductions in sewage overflows

• Many other cities face the same problems with aging infrastructure and combined storm and sanitary sewers

• Many other cities are banking on Green Infrastructure (GI) to play a key role in water management strategy

• Measures to meet Consent Decree will require a multi-billion dollar investment, the largest public works investment ever...what does that investment look like?

http://www.southsidegreen.com


Why Green Infrastructure...

• Measures to meet Consent Decree will require a multi-billion dollar investment, the largest public works investment ever...what does that investment look like?



GIN Members Figuring out How GI can work in Pittsburgh...• 3 Rivers Wet Weather• ALCOSAN • PWSA • Penn State Center• Project 15206 (Senator Ferlo)• Nine Mile Run Watershed Association • Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens• Clean Rivers Campaign...


South Side Green Goals...

• South Side Green Project part of this collective effort to achieving a balanced green and grey plan to maximize the environmental benefit per dollar spent to comply with Consent Decree

• Create a Demonstration District of GI on a multi-block scale, integrated into the ROW, that provides measureable, cost-effective stormwater and environmental benefit

• Design Teams to provide designs that can remove minimum 1” rainfall from 21st St drainage areas

• Develop Design Details and Templates that can be applied to neighborhoods and business districts throughout Pittsburgh


Why Green Infrastructure...

• Provides “Triple Bottom Line” benefits from high quality green space– Ecological, Economic, and Social benefits and source control

stormwater– Cleaning and cooling of air and water – Urban heat island reduction– Aesthetics, Quality of life– Higher property values– Reduced crime rates


• Keep Pittsburgh region competitive with other urban centers working to attract talent and investment, and to revitalize neighborhoods, through their investment in GI


South 21st St Study Areas

Study Area A

Study Area B

Study Area C


Study Area ANorth of Carson Street to the River Heritage Trail

• Very HighRunoff Potential

• Highly UrbanizedSetting

Characteristics


Study Area AExisting Conditions


Study Area BSouth of Carson Street to Josephine Street

• Relatively Low Runoff Potential

• Highly UrbanizedSetting

Characteristics


Study Area BSouth of Carson Street to Josephine St


Study Area CSouthside Slopes Park Area

• Very High Runoff Potential

• Commercial Parking Lots and Green Space

Characteristics


Study Area CExisting Conditions


Post-Charrette Plans

• Seek Funding for Implementation• Build Community Support

• Process Stakeholder and Community Feedback

• Compile Best Ideas into One Conceptual Plan


Key Stakeholder Input to date...

South Side Community CouncilPWSAALCOSANBike PGHCity of PittsburghWestern PA ConservancySouth Side Slopes Neighborhood AssociationBrew House AssociationUPMC Mercy South Side Friends of the RiverfrontPittsburgh United/Clean Rivers Campaign3RWWYOU...


Organizers and ContributorsTom Batroney, Hatch Mott McDonaldJeff Bergman, Western Pennsylvania ConservancyJason Borne, ArcadisBeth Dutton, 3 Rivers Wet WeatherBrian Chalfant, University of PittsburghKathy Chavara, Collective EffortsBarton Kirk, ecoSEEDS / Kirk EngineeringMichael Finewood, Chatham UniversityChristine Graziano, Pittsburgh Green InnovatorsRachel Kernic, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical GardensAlejandra Munoz-Munoz, Carnegie Mellon UniversityJanette Novak, Westmoreland County Conservation DistrictMegan Palomo, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical GardensJoel Perkovich, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical GardensDan Sentz, City of Pittsburgh Planning Department

Rebecca Lotka, Temple University Matt Graham, Landbase Systems James Stitt, PWSASara Thompson, Pashek Associations P.C.Lisa Vavro, The Penn State CenterDamon Weiss, Urban Rain Studio



Greenest Sponsors - $1,500

Greener Sponsors - $1,000

Green Sponsors - $500