Headlines

Breaking, Stay Up to date, What are our neighbors talking about, in this section we bring Headlines of what is happening in our region as well as the world.  

McClinton introduces comprehensive election bill to bolster democracy, marking one year since deadly insurrection on U.S. Capitol 

HARRISBURG, Jan. 5 – With tomorrow marking one year since the deadly insurrection on the U.S. Capitol, Pennsylvania House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton announced today she has introduced legislation reflecting her commitment to stand up against attacks on democracy and make voting even safer and more accessible for all Pennsylvanians.

“The alarming images from last January’s siege on the U.S. Capitol will forever be burned in our memories and were the direct result of lies and rhetoric still being spewed by some who cannot accept the results of the 2020 election more than a year later, even after investigations found no fraud occurred,” said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. “The fact is the 2020 election was safe, free, fair and secure. My legislation works to build on our progress to ensure every voice is heard and every vote is counted.”

Named after the first African American to serve as Pennsylvania’s House speaker, the K. Leroy Irvis Voting Rights Protection Act (House Bill 2090) aims to make casting a ballot easier by continuing to allow early voting; providing for more ballot drop boxes; and permitting same day registration, which have all been adopted in other states.

The legislation would also:

• Make updates requested by county election officials, including 21 days of pre-canvassing, where election officials can prepare mail-in and absentee ballots prior to Election Day.
  
  
• Support election security by implementing statewide electronic poll books for secure, real-time monitoring of election rolls, which is a practice currently used by nearly three dozen states.
  
  

“We have a responsibility to uphold not undermine our democracy,” explained McClinton. “My proposal is not about erecting barriers, accessing sensitive information from Pennsylvanians, or suppressing voter turnout – specifically in our Black and Brown communities. It is about investing in ways to strengthen our election process that benefits everyone.”

McClinton’s legislation would build on the previously enacted Act 77 and Act 12, which were among the most comprehensive updates to Pennsylvania’s voting laws in decades that passed both the state House and Senate.

More information about H.B. 2090 can be found here.

"I'm running to be Pennsylvania's next Lieutenant Governor. With Josh Shapiro's support, we're going to make sure working Pennsylvanians don't just get by — but have the opportunity to get ahead. Let's get to work..."  Pennsylvania State Rep. Austin Davis announced Tuesday he is running for lieutenant governor.

Davis, 32, is in his third term representing McKeesport and other nearby towns along the Monongahela River in the state House of Representatives.  Austin has also been an assistant to Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald a vice chair of the county Democratic Party. Davis is also a member of the Legislative Black Caucus and, if elected, would be the state’s first black lieutenant governor.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro, the Democratic Party’s presumed nominee for governor this year, on Tuesday endorsed Davis to be his running mate and lieutenant governor.

"Pennsylvanians from Westmoreland to West Philly need to be represented by folks who understand the issues they face — and can bring people together. Austin Davis is a proven fighter for the working people of western Pennsylvania, and he'll make Pennsylvania proud as Lt. Governor."

The primary election is May 17.

 Mayor Ed Gainey Appoints Jake Pawlak as Director of Office of Management and Budget; Will Appoint as Deputy Mayor Upon City Council Confirmation

Mayor also appoints Jake Wheatley, Felicity Williams and Lisa Frank to fill key positions on executive team.

 Mayor Ed Gainey announced today his appointment of Jake Pawlak as the Director of Office of Management and Budget. As the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Pawlak will be responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient use of resources in order to sustain the delivery of quality services to the residents of Pittsburgh. Pawlak assumes the Director role in an interim capacity and will become permanent pending council confirmation. Upon confirmation, Gainey intends to appoint Pawlak Deputy Mayor which will take effect immediately; in that capacity, Pawlak will be charged with coordinating the day-to-day work of all City departments to meet the Administrations goals.

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Jake Pawlak to this important position,” said Mayor Gainey. “As my Administration works to create an equitable Pittsburgh for all, we need someone with experience, vision and strong commitment to public service to lead the Department of Office of Management and Budget. Jake has had a distinguished career and brings the right expertise to help my Administration meet its long-term goals.”
Prior to joining the Administration, Pawlak served as Transition Director for Mayor Gainey. He has worked in all levels of government, as well as numerous political and advocacy campaigns. Jake previously served as program director for the Pennsylvania Alliance Foundation. He also held roles with the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, where he was responsible for each Authority’s engagement with the Mayor’s Office, City Council, City Departments, and other government agencies and outside partners. Pawlak received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics from the University of Pittsburgh.

“I am honored to serve the people of Pittsburgh as Director of Office of Management and Budget,” said Pawlak. “With the support of City Council, I look forward to working with the Mayor and other Department leaders to fulfill the promise of making Pittsburgh a city that works for everyone.”

Gainey also announced three additional appointments to fill key positions on his executive team. Jake Wheatley has been appointed Chief of Staff, Felicity Williams, Esq. has been appointed Assistant Chief of Staff and Lisa Frank has been appointed Chief Operating and Administrative Officer. Wheatley’s position is effective February 1, 2022. Felicity and Lisa will assume their roles effective immediately.

Wheatley currently serves as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 19th district. He is the longest-serving African American member in the state House of Representatives and serves as the first African American to chair the House Professional Licensure Committee, which oversees the 29 professional boards and commissions that set the standards and practices of the state’s workforce. Wheatley is also an advocate for minority and women-owned business inclusion, quality and equitable education for all children, and social and criminal justice reforms.

Lisa previously served as Executive Vice President for Strategic Campaigns at SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania’s largest and fastest growing union of nurses and healthcare workers. In that role, Lisa helped tens of thousands of home care workers and hospital workers to form their unions and improve their jobs and the quality of the care that they deliver.

Felicity previously served as Programs & Policy Manager and Special Assistant to the President & CEO of the Hill CDC. In that role, she led economic development programs, drove effective and strategic communications, and shaped regional equitable development policy, including large scale developments, a commercial redevelopment task force, and legislative advocacy at both the local and federal level.  She has also been engaged in criminal justice reform, education reform, and voter engagement in the region.

Governor Tom Wolf today announced his intention to name Leigh M. Chapman to serve as Acting Secretary of the Commonwealth. Chapman will replace Acting Secretary Veronica Degraffenreid, who will be elevated to serve in the Administration as a special advisor to the governor.  

“Acting Secretary Degraffenreid has served with distinction over the past year, administering two smooth elections, and spearheading the modernization of key IT infrastructure. I commend her for her steady leadership during a challenging period in election administration, and look forward to working closely with her in her new role,” Gov. Wolf said. “As we move into a new year and new election cycle, I have full confidence that Leigh M. Chapman will continue the Department’s efforts to lead Pennsylvania through a smooth election process and ensure that Pennsylvania voters continue to experience free and fair elections, among many responsibilities.” 

Chapman currently serves as executive director of Deliver My Vote, a non-partisan, non-profit organization focused on research and education about voting by mail. She previously held senior leadership positions at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and several other non-profit election reform and advocacy organizations. From 2015 to 2017, Chapman served as policy director at the Department of State, advancing key agenda items including the implementation of electronic voter registration. She is a graduate of the Howard University School of Law and the University of Virginia with a bachelor’s degree in American Studies & History.  

“I am honored and excited to be returning to the Department of State to serve as ​Acting Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” Chapman said. “Throughout my career I have worked to ensure that voting rights are protected, and to improve access to the ballot box. I look forward to continuing that work in my new role, and to build on the tremendously successful election reforms in Pennsylvania over the last several years.” 

Chapman will serve as Acting Secretary beginning Saturday, January 8, 2022. 

On Wednesday, October 13, 2021, Jim Rogers was placed in Pittsburgh Bureau of Police (PBP) custody after officers responded to a call in Bloomfield. The officer on scene deployed his Taser during the response. Following his arrest, Mr. Rogers was transported to Mercy Hospital by police, where he passed away the following day.  

Pursuant to policy, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police empaneled an internal Critical Incident Review Board (CIRB) to evaluate officers’ actions and gauge policy compliance. Additionally, the Allegheny County Police Department is independently investigating the incident with the full cooperation of the PBP. Over the course of two months, the CIRB has reviewed evidence including all available video, officer statements and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police general orders and training. The Board found that a series of procedural failures contributed to this tragic outcome.  

Eight Pittsburgh Bureau of Police officers, including two supervisors, will face varying levels of discipline in accordance with the Fraternal Order of Police collective bargaining agreement. We are not permitted to discuss details of the disciplinary process. 

In recent years, the City of Pittsburgh implemented several measures to ensure accountability, including mandatory de-escalation and implicit bias training for officers and participation in The National Initiative for Building Community Trust & Justice, which examines policy and aims to increase trust within our community.  However, it is clear more needs to be done.  

Therefore, the CIRB recommended the following policy and procedural changes:  

Any use of force incident will require the presence of a supervisor on scene to complete a medical assessment and request appropriate personnel  

Any incident involving the positive deployment of a Taser will require emergency medical services personnel to assess the patient  

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police personnel will be retrained in accordance with established PBP Training Academy Duty to Intervene policy 

PBP will streamline its organizational review of Use of Force by both appropriate command staff and the Training Academy to expeditiously ensure policy compliance 

“It is imperative that every critical incident is reviewed promptly,” said Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich. “By identifying the problem, it allows us to expeditiously make corrections that are put into policy in a timely manner.” 

Immediately following this incident, all sworn PBP officers were required to complete a Taser refresher course followed by an exam. This course is in addition to the yearly mandated Taser recertification requirement for all officers. 

Further, the PBP will require its officers to become fully certified Emergency Medical Responders.  

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police would like to express its most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Jim Rogers. We thank them for their patience in affording the CIRB the time and latitude to investigate the events that led up to his tragic death.  

“Jim Rogers will serve as a sober reminder of the tremendous responsibility all officers bear when they wear the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police badge. Every resident and visitor to the City of Pittsburgh is owed the highest standard of care when they are in the custody of Pittsburgh Police. In the case of Jim Rogers, we failed our fellow citizen. The disciplinary measures and procedural changes we are announcing today are intended to ensure a tragedy such as this never occurs again in the City of Pittsburgh,” said Police Chief, Scott Schubert. 

Pittsburgh Public Safety will not be offering any further comment at this time.  

Source: City of Pittsburghh

State Rep. Ed Gainey declared victory in the Pittsburgh mayoral election Tuesday night, capping off a year of campaigning during which he defeated incumbent Mayor Bill Peduto in the Democratic primary and turned away an outsider Republican candidate in the general election. Gainey will be Pittsburgh’s first Black mayor.

He had 70% of the vote just after 11 p.m. Tuesday, with almost all mail-in ballots and 91% of in-person precincts reported.

"Let me tell you why this is beautiful. Because you proved that we could have a city for all," Gainey said during his victory speech at the Benedum Center. "You proved that everybody can change."

 In conceding, Republican candidate Tony Moreno said his turnout underscores the success of his campaign. “All those people from the outskirts who came and were fired up because they wanted change…" Moreno said during a speech Tuesday night. "We started building something that I think is going to make a huge difference in Allegheny County and Pittsburgh.”

Gainey launched his candidacy last January as a challenge to Peduto, who sought a third term. Progressive figures like state Reps. Summer Lee and Sara Innamorato joined Gainey in saying the city needed new leadership, and financial support from a healthcare worker union PAC helped him win a shocking upset.

Read more from our media partner Public Source

 Esther Bush to assist with transition before official retirement following 27 years of leadership

Pittsburgh, Oct. 18, 2021 – The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh named Carlos T. Carter president and chief executive officer, effective November 10, 2021.  Carter is a native Pittsburgher who brings both nonprofit and business leadership experience, most recently serving as executive director of the Homeless Children's Education Fund (HCEF).  Prior to joining HCEF, he was a consultant for Holy Family Institute/Nazareth Prep and has also held various leadership roles of increasing responsibility in the banking industry for more than 16 years. Carter is also a recognized motivational speaker, author and blogger driven by a passion to empower people and organizations to realize their full potential.

“I am excited to lead the next phase of this great organization that has done so much to improve the lives of African Americans and other minorities in Southwestern, PA under the leadership of Ms. Esther Bush,” said Carlos T. Carter.  “Following in the footsteps and standing on the shoulders of a community champion like Ms. Bush is a privilege that I don't take lightly. I look forward to partnering with the community to make Pittsburgh a place where all people can live their best lives despite their race, gender, color, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status or zip code.”

During the next several weeks and up to Carter’s start date of November 10 current President and CEO Esther Bush will assist with the onboarding transition process. Bush will retire from ULGP following the transition after serving 27 years.

“On behalf of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh Board of Directors, I am pleased to welcome Carlos.  His experience, expertise and proven leadership will help the Urban League continue to drive its mission forward for the benefit of all stakeholders,” said Alan Trivilino, ULGP Board Chair.  “I also want to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to the outstanding leadership of Esther during her 27 years leading the Pittsburgh organization.   Esther is leaving a lasting legacy on the Urban League, our great city and the many people that she has impacted over the years.  As we thank Esther and welcome Carlos, we look forward to the future advancement of the Urban League’s mission of enabling African Americans to achieve economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights.”

The ULGP conducted a nationwide search for this key leadership role in coordination with the National Urban League. 

National Urban League President & CEO Marc Morial praised the selection of Carter as the next ULGP president & CEO, and congratulated Bush for her many contributions to the Urban League. He said, “I want to first thank Esther again for her dedication and many contributions over her forty years at the Urban League. She is leaving a lasting impact on our organization and within all of the communities that she has served. I am excited to welcome Carlos to the Urban League. Clearly, his skills, background and experiences will help continue to move and lead our organization forward.”

Carter brings to the ULGP proven business development, financial management, advocacy, fundraising and relationship management skills.  A well-recognized leader, Carter's numerous accolades include the 2019 Lead Now Pittsburgh Fellowship, Pittsburgh Magazine 40 under 40 Award, National Diversity Multicultural Leadership Award, and New Pittsburgh Courier Man of Excellence Award. He earned his master’s of business administration from Robert Morris University, a bachelor’s of science in Business Administration from University of Pittsburgh, an A.S. from Community College of Allegheny County, and completed Leadership Pittsburgh LDI XV. He has three sons: Elijah, Daylon, and Isaiah and has been married to his wife Marcia for over 20 years. In February 2022, he will publish his first book: Greatness Awaits You: 23 Ways to Unlock the Greatness Within!

Dr. Walters is District’s Longest-Serving Central Office Administrator 

Most Recently as Assistant Superintendent

PITTSBURGH, September 29, 2021 – Tonight, at its September Legislative Meeting, the Pittsburgh Board of Public Education named Dr. Wayne N. Walters as Interim Superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools in a unanimous vote by its nine-member Board. Dr. Walters begins his role in the top leadership post on Friday, October 1, 2021, and will continue in this capacity for one year or until a permanent Superintendent is hired and on board. 

Dr. Walters has worked his entire professional career for the Pittsburgh Public Schools and has more than 30 years’ experience with PPS, the second-largest public school system in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He has experience as a Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Assistant Superintendent of 6-12 Schools, and, most recently, Assistant Superintendent of Professional Development and Special Programming. 

“Dr. Walters is no stranger to us. We know firsthand that his commitment to Pittsburgh Public Schools and the City of Pittsburgh is unwavering,” stated Sylvia Wilson, Board President. “Couple this with Dr. Walters’ depth of experience and unmatched skill level, we could not be more pleased that Dr. Walters has agreed to serve as Interim Superintendent. We needed someone who could immediately step into this critically important role and begin to immediately address the many priorities in the District. Even though we had an excellent pool of Interim Superintendent candidates, Dr. Walters stood out as the best.”

Coming from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Dr. Walters came to Pittsburgh when he was 16 to attend Carnegie Mellon University, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in music performance/music education in 1990. At age 21, he started his first teaching position at King Elementary on Pittsburgh’s North Side. By 1998, he received a Masters’ degree in Music Education/Technology from Duquesne University; and earned a Doctor of Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2007. 

The 51-year-old educator said he always has had a passion for working directly with students with the goal of making an impact on their lives through education. When asked about his proudest achievement, Dr. Walters says without hesitancy: “It’s what I have been able to do for students.” He pursued the Interim Superintendent position because, “When there’s an opportunity to serve, I want to step up. Children’s lives are on the line, and we need to elevate the quality of teaching and accelerate learning for all students.” This devotion comes through his often used expression such as  “because of the students” and “students first” in making decisions with students first in mind. 

In addition, Dr. Walters hopes to address and advance organizational cohesion in the District through systems-oriented thinking. He also aims to cultivate stakeholder relationships through collaboration, trust, and clear communications. “We’re all here for the same reason: We want Pittsburgh Public Schools to be the best it can be,” said Dr. Walters. 

“We have an incredibly hardworking staff, the best teachers and devoted administrators—and all of us have the great responsibility and privilege of educating our students. We remain committed to our core function and that is helping students learn to their fullest abilities,” said Dr. Walters. Under his leadership as Principal, Barack Obama Academy of International Studies placed in the top 10 percent national ranking of Best High Schools by U.S. News & World Report after two years in existence as a 6-12 school.

Board President Wilson noted that Dr. Walters is “assuming this responsibility at a time when the District needed stabilization and healing. He is ready for this challenge and opportunity.”

Earlier this month, the Board voted to accept Dr. Anthony Hamlet’s resignation as Superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools after he resigned on Wednesday, September 8, 2021. Beginning in December, the incoming School Board will direct the national search for a permanent Superintendent.

Source: PPS

The City of Pittsburgh, City Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle, Pittsburgh Penguins, Buccini/Pollin Group, Inc. and the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA), announced today that the Greater Hill District Neighborhood Reinvestment Fund has received an initial capitalized payment of $7,187,045 from the development partners on the Lower Hill development site. This funding will be used to invest in development projects and other community needs in the Greater Hill District as outlined in the “Community Collaboration and Implementation Plan” between the neighborhood and the developers.  

“I am grateful that we are not only seeing the development in the Lower Hill move forward to right the wrongs of the past and create opportunities in the historic Hill District, but that our development partners are demonstrating their commitment to the Hill community by providing community investment funding up front,” said Mayor William Peduto. “I’d like to thank all of the partners in this development and the Hill District community for creating a model where communities and developers can work together to help ensure the community benefits and drives investment in their neighborhood from these developments.” 

The guidelines for the Greater Hill District Neighborhood Reinvestment Fund were approved by the URA board in June. As a condition of the approval process, the developers, a joint venture comprised of the Buccini/Pollin Group, Inc (BPG), Pittsburgh Arena Real Estate Redevelopment, LP (PAR), Clay Cove Capital, LLC, and First National Bank (FNB), committed to funding their 10-years' worth of payments all up front, so that the community could receive funding immediately rather than after construction is completed.  

Bomani M. Howze, Vice President of Development for the Buccini/Pollin Group (pictured), said, “We are excited to have delivered on our promise of the first installment of $7.2 Million toward the Greater Hill District Neighborhood Reinvestment Fund. The monetization of LERTA monies from the FNB Financial Center symbolizes our commitment to ensure that catalytic, Lower Hill projects are delivered with intent of having lasting impact in the Middle and Upper Hill District.” 

The more than $7 million is generated by the Lower Hill Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) district, which was driven by Councilman Lavelle and the Hill Community Development Corporation in 2015. The LERTA allows property owners on the Lower Hill development site to receive real estate tax abatements from the three taxing bodies (Pittsburgh Public School District, City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County) on each parcel for 10 years, with half of that funding going into the Greater Hill District Neighborhood Reinvestment Fund.  

"The advancement of the LERTA dollars is in keeping with the commitment that I made to the Hill District Community: that the development of the Lower Hill would be for the explicit benefit of residents of the Middle and Upper Hill District,” said Councilman Lavelle.  

Some of the potential uses for the funding could include project development initiatives and counseling programs, children and youth education initiatives, rent and mortgage assistance subsidies, other wealth-building initiatives, preservation of Hill District institutions and investments that generate recurring or matching revenue for the fund.  

"I am thankful and encouraged by the development team’s investment up front to the community,” said URA Deputy Executive Director Dr. Diamonte Walker. “The URA is committed to working with our partners to ensure that the Lower Hill redevelopment reflects the wants and needs of the community and benefits all the residents of the Hill District." 

Applications for funding will be received and reviewed by a community advisory board, who will issue recommendations to the URA Board of Directors who govern the fund. Current guidelines designate representatives from City Council District 6 and the Hill Community Development Corporation as co-chairs of the advisory board.  

The Coraopolis NAACP is alarmed by and deeply concerned about the recent and ongoing

conduct of Sewickley Academy in apparently renouncing its prior, board-approved commitment

to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in its strategic plan. Yet more concerning,

conduct includes sudden termination of three well-qualified and well-experienced African American professionals, as well as other personnel and reorganization decisions that undercut its

commitment to diversity, and which prompted two African-American board members to resign,

appears to come on the heels of an anonymous letter characterizing the Academy’s commitment

to diversity, and its diverse students, as “political” and “radical,” no doubt motivated by the

ongoing manufactured panic concerning the teaching of critical race theory in schools. Somehow

more concerning still, the anonymous letter writers appear to have misappropriated students’

private information, including their residential addresses, in issuing their letter.

Nearly seventy years ago, the NAACP fought to establish diversity, equity, inclusion, and social

justice in education as basic American values, litigating and prevailing in Brown versus Board of

Education. The case ended racial segregation in public schools. Consistent with its current

overall mission to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all citizens,

achieve equality of rights, eliminate race prejudice among the citizens of the United States, and

remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes. Its mission recognizes

that education is critical not just to present students but also toward the shared progress of our

society.

Values recognized in Brown are crucial to our Republic and its commitment to equal justice

under law and have more to do with the Constitution than critical race theory. Therefore, the

anonymous letter writers should reflect on whether their efforts are politically radical or

reactionary products of cynical political theatrics. Indeed, their anonymity and misuse of

students’ private identifying information represents an echo of the conduct of groups more

proximate to Brown, who fought desegregation at every turn, including by violence and both

overt and subtle threats thereof.

Sewickley Academy would do well to consider whether it is willing to sacrifice its staff, its

commitment to diversity, and, most importantly, its students’ ability to navigate a world in order

to satiate the fears of an anonymous contingent. Our children, our region, and our Republic

deserve better than abrupt, regressive decisions.

In the short term, we call on Sewickley Academy to begin proceeding with respect to this

problem with complete candor, transparency, and cooperation with relevant stakeholders,

including the Concerned Parents of Sewickley, ourselves, and the Academy’s accrediting body,

the National Association of Independent Schools. In the long term, we believe that the

Academy’s only just course of action is to reconsider and reverse its gravely ill-advised course of

conduct, publicly reaffirm its prior, board-approved commitment to diversity, equality, inclusion,

and social justice as it stood before these unfortunate decisions, and denounce the anonymous

letter writers’ efforts and conversion of sensitive information as antiquated, misguided, and

contrary to the best interests of the Academy, its students, and our community. 

Mayor William Peduto, City Councilman Daniel Lavelle and The Buccini/Pollin Group (BPG) — the commercial redeveloper of the $1 billion Lower Hill mixed-use district — announces a series of local partnerships with Hill District residents to bolster project management, design expertise and community reinvestment. BPG and local partners the Pittsburgh Penguins confirmed plans to break ground on the 26-story FNB Financial Center in early 2021. 

Additionally, BPG announced the opening of a new Pittsburgh office at the JLL Center at Tower Two-Sixty on Forbes Avenue, partnering with JLL, its commercial broker for the Lower Hill redevelopment. 

The Lower Hill development team has been expanded to include four Hill District residents, intended to catalyze BPG’s neighborhood revitalization program in alignment with the Community Collaboration and Implementation Plan (CCIP) that was established in 2014 to guide equitable development on the Lower Hill: 

Bomani Howze – Vice President for The Buccini/Pollin Group. Hill District-based developer Bomani Howze has joined BPG as a Vice President with development management responsibilities in the Pittsburgh region, where BPG also owns the People’s Center office complex on the North Shore. Mr. Howze’s areas of focus will be to finalize planning approvals, further define commercial programming and expand the firm’s community engagement platform. Mr. Howze noted: “BPG has been a trailblazer in delivering projects of significant complexity and impact in Baltimore, Washington, Wilmington and other cities with neighborhoods pursuing equitable development similar to Pittsburgh’s Lower Hill District. I’m incredibly excited to join forces with BPG, the Penguins and our ex tensive, public-private partner network to bring long-promised opportunities to the Hill and to realize the possibilities of reinvestment in my community.” BPG’s Managing Partner Chris Buccini said: “We are delighted to solidify our presence in Pittsburgh by partnering with local developer and community builder Bomani Howze, establishing our development office above Market Square, and expanding our local team. Together, we will work to realize the tremendous potential for this special location.” 

Dorin Dickerson – Director of Project Development for Pittsburgh Penguins. The Pittsburgh Penguins have hired Dorin Dickerson, currently the Community Outreach Manager for Mascaro Construction Company, to serve as Director of Project Development for the Penguins on the Lower Hill development. Mr. Dickerson will coordinate closely with Mr. Howze and focus his efforts on project management, workforce development and community engagement.   

E. Holdings – M/WBE Consultant. Pittsburgh-based E. Holdings, led by Hill District resident Irv Williams, has been engaged as the M/WBE consultant for the Lower Hill development. In that capacity, E. Holdings will focus on solidifying bridges between the development team and the minority and women-owned business community to enhance the inclusion of local, disadvantaged contractors and service providers in this transformational project. 

Dr. Kimberly Ellis – Legacy Consultant. Hill District historian and designer Dr. Kimberly Ellis has been engaged as the legacy consultant for the Lower Hill development. As she has in the adjacent I-579 CAP Park development project which is currently under construction, Dr. Ellis will channel historical context and diverse stakeholder perspectives to ensure that the development provides an inclusive, welcoming public open space – one that restores visual, recreational, commercial and pedestrian connections between the Hill District and the downtown along Wylie Avenue. 

Lakeisha Byrd – Design Consultant. Hill District resident and architectural design consultant Lakeisha Byrd has been selected to guide elements of the architectural work on the Lower Hill development. Ms. Byrd will work closely with Gensler, the architect of record for the development, and their landscape architect to enhance the physical and cultural connection between the development and the Hill District neighborhood. 

Monaloh Basin Engineers – Site Survey Consultant. Woman-owned, Pittsburgh-based engineering firm Monaloh Basin Engineers will provide a team to conduct a survey of the Lower Hill site’s first commercial phase. The resulting topographical analysis, boundary surveys and subdivision plans will support the broader design initiative of the planned commercial projects and public open space.  

AWK Consulting Engineers – Geotechnical Consultant. Turtle Creek–based AWK Consulting Engineers, a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), will perform on-site geotechnical evaluations and design services for the site, documenting foundation requirements for the initial phases of commercial development.  

These initial contracting commitments have been released just as the project enters the pre-development home stretch in anticipation of a Q2 2021 groundbreaking. The project’s designer and builder will further enhance this local team as the effort continues to move forward. 

"What sets the 28-acre project apart from others is that it will be led by and engages with local Black artists, companies and leaders,” Mayor Peduto said. “By working hand in hand with both community stakeholders and private developers, we are investing in a future that is directly built by its residents. I am proud of the work of our partners and collaborators on this critical work, and especially want to thank URA Executive Director Greg Flisram and Deputy Executive Director Diamonte Walker." 

“It cannot be understated how critical these hires are. I have continually stated that this development should be to the explicit economic and social benefit of the African-American and Hill District community. Hiring four African-American firms that both live and are headquartered in the Hill District are monumental steps towards achieving both objectives,” Councilman Lavelle said. “What’s more, the complete set of firms hired will go a tremendous way in ensuring this is an equitable development centered with the concerns and needs of the residents of the Hill District not just in mind, but also in practice.  Lastly, I thank the Mayor and development team for recognizing the importance of equitable development and advancing these partnerships.”   

“I want to thank the Penguins and BPG for their commitment to the Lower Hill, as this development will have an immediate and positive economic impact on the Hill District neighborhood and create thousands of jobs to help with our recovery out of the pandemic,” said State Rep. Jake Wheatley. 

In recent weeks, the largest mixed-use, multi-tenant office project in the City of Pittsburgh completed its financing commitments to advance toward construction, with an infusion of equity from minority-owned Clay Cove Capital, LLC. BPG received preliminary project approvals from the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh as well as the Sports and Exhibition Authority in May 2020.   

BPG’s Vice President of Development Boris Kaplan observed: “We are complementing the strong team we already have in place with professionals of high caliber, inspiration and in-market credibility. The Lower Hill is going to be a destination comparable to the very best mixed-use projects across the country and we are adding crucial horsepower and diversity of skillsets to the team at a pivotal juncture in the project’s development.”   

For information on workforce and MWBE contracting opportunities: 

Email:  lowerhillopportunities@bpgroup.net  

Please visit https://www.lowerhillredevelopment.com/opportunities.html