Recent neighborhood news

• The Second Annual Highland Park Light-up Night brought out the lights, the neighbors, and the treats. Folks enjoyed specials ranging from festive coffee and discount burgers from the businesses on and near Bryant Street, to hot cocoa and homemade cookies across the ‘hood. And decorations ran the gauntlet from a lighted tree in the park’s entry garden to Winterton Street lined with luminaries, plus herds of reindeer, multitudes of Santas, and miles of lights in between. Thank you to everyone who participated, particularly our neighborhood businesses: Applewood Smoke Grill, Gallery Ama, La Scola’s, Panache, Park Place Pub, and Tazza D’oro.

• 5G transmitters are being replaced. After investigating complaints from the neighborhood, HPCC, Highland Park Community Development Corporation and the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure found that transmitters installed at nine intersections in Highland Park were malfunctioning, causing excess noise 24/7. The firm responsible is replacing these transmitters. See January’s meeting minutes for the list of affected locations. The HPCC and HPCDC are still concerned about the level of noise allowed in the city’s proposed new regulations for these devices and will continue to press the city for noiseless alternatives. Concerns about city services or infrastructure should be directed to 3-1-1, Councilwoman Gross (district7@pittsburghpa.gov), and the HPCC (HPCCPgh@gmail.com).

• Construction on the new Super Playground is expected to begin soon and, if all goes according to plan (fingers crossed!), the new playground will be open by Memorial Day weekend. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy will be responsible for planting and maintaining 43 new trees on the site. If you would like to sponsor a tree or contribute to the Super Playground tree fund, you can do so here. We'd also like to thank everyone who submitted ideas for hidden mosaics for the new playground. We received many wonderful entries and the final mosaic designs will be announced later this spring.

Announcements

January HPCC Community Meeting Highlights

Jourdan Hicks from PublicSource provided an overview of this online community news resource that includes podcasts, newsletters, and the opportunity for people to share their stories. PWSA shared its plans for replacing the Bruecken Pump Station, located at the river on Lock Way East. They requested community feedback on the proposal which should be submitted in the next few weeks to the HPCC (HPCCPgh@gmail.com). Click here to see PWSA’s slides.

Provide Feedback on Proposed Art in the Park

The Urban Conga was selected by the City of Pittsburgh as one of the artist groups for the Art in Parks program to develop a piece of public art in Highland Park. The Urban Conga would like your feedback on three designs, with each to be located in a different part of the park. The deadline for feedback has been extended until Feb. 4. Cast your vote here.

We Want You: Yard Sale Organizer Needed

Love the Yard Sale? Looking for a way to help the neighborhood? The HPCC needs you to be the new Yard Sale Organizer. The Yard Sale Organizer manages seller registrations, collects registration payments, produces printed and online maps, and coordinates with the organizer of the Bryant Street Festival (when applicable). The project requires a few hours of work a week for the two to three months leading up to the sale (the first Sunday in June), and a bit more in the final three weeks. Interested? Email the HPCC at HPCCPgh@gmail.com.

Congrats, Jake!

Congratulations to Jake Pawlak, former HPCC board member and President, who was recently named Deputy Mayor. Jake led Mayor Ed Gainey’s election campaign and his transition team. Jake has a history of public and community service, working previously for the URA, PWSA, and the Pennsylvania Alliance Foundation. Jake still lives in Highland Park with his beautiful family. In addition to his past work on the HPCC board, in recent years, Jake has been active in the community by coordinating the beloved Highland Park Yard Sale. We wish him all the best in this new endeavor!

“The finest breathing room in the city”

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy released a podcast featuring Highland Park, calling the park “the finest breathing room in the city.” Give it a listen.

Around St. Andrews

It’s hard to imagine an Easter egg hunt with all the recent snow but it’s on the schedule!

Our condolences

The HPCC Board extends its heartfelt condolences to a Highland Park family struggling to find answers to the death of their son who was killed recently in Venango County.

Separately, some of you may have noticed the shrine on Stanton Ave. and St. Clair St., known as a ghost bike. It commemorates cyclist and East Liberty resident William Thiesen who was hit by a car and killed in November. The HPCC would like to extend its sympathy to Willie’s friends and family.