Annual Membership meeting held May 26, 2022

After two years of ZOOM meetings, the annual May meeting was once again being held IN PERSON.    Hurrah!

Date/Time:    Thursday May 26, 2022        6:30 – 7:00  social time       7:00 – 9:00    meeting

Location:   Latin American Cultural Center  at  4338 Bigelow   (lower corner of Bigelow and Parkman).    This beautiful building is newly refurbished, was prior home of Historical Society of Western PA.

LACC  generously is providing the location at embarrassingly-low discount…     good neighbors indeed !!

Content:

Initial part features updates from institution/government bodies:

Mayor Ed Gainey:    a great honor for neighbors, as he spoke about violence prevention, goals for his new administration, plans for development in Oakland

Councilperson Erika Strassburger:   invited by had to decline due to recent Covid;   sent a list of issue updates which were presented by powerpoint

UPMC:   Doug Spies (Sr Director of Architecture and Engineering):  update on new Presby Hospital, with groundbreaking in June and plans for completion in Spring 2026

U Pitt:   Jamie Ducker (ED, the Engaged Campus) and Chuck Alcorn (architect):    announced that One Bigelow Project now on indefinite hold after reassessment of campus/home work situation;  gave update on other projects including currently-under-construction Health Ctr on O’Hara and plans for hilltop dorm construction

PGH City Government/Planning:  Jake Pawlak, Deputy Mayor;   Kyle Chintalapalli, Chief of Econ Development;   Rebekkah Ranallo, Mgr Neighborhood Services.    Gave updates and Q&A, with topics including city budgeting process, concerns about electric scooters, new plans for Oakland Development

SFCA MEETING:

Update of activities from board.

Elections for board.    Janet Squires and Laura Waxman leaving.   New members:  Rob Squires, Richard Moncure, Liz Frame (re-elected)