Regent Square Civic Association

REGENT SQUARE
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7604 Charleston Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15218-1265

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PLANNED PAVING OF SWISSVALE STREETS WITHIN REGENT SQUARE- urgent action request

Regent Square is faced with an immediate issue that requires your attention- especially if you are a Swissvale resident within Regent Square.

The WPJWA plans to replace the water main on Macon Avenue. In doing so, they will also replace the brick with asphalt for the entire length of that block.

This is the first in a series of planned replacements which will forever change the character of our neighborhood.

This is a real and precedent setting issue for all Regent Square residents- especially those in Swissvale (not just the 1400 block of Macon). After hearing the WPJWA Executive Director speak at the Swissvale Council Meeting on 6/30, it is clear that their mind is made up and they will asphalt any road the WPJWA tears up when replacing water lines (which all lines in the Square are slated for).

A large number of Swissvale residents are needed to attend the Borough Council Meeting on Wednesday, 7/7. Please contact Carrie Webber, Neal Harrison or Trevor Lloyd, if you plan to attend. Do not assume your neighbors will take care of it- show up and show you care!!!

CONTACT INFORMATION-

RSCA- www.regentsquare-rsac.org, contact@regentsquare-RSCA.org

Carrie Webber- carrie.webber@stantec.com, 412-225-0893, 412-371-2895

Trevor Lloyd- trevor@lloydsofpittsburgh.com, 412-398-4899, 412-243-6775

Neal Harrison- Neal@ehschwab.com

SUMMARY OF CURRENT ACTIONS REGARDING PAVING OF SWISSVALE STREET WITHIN REGENT SQUARE

Do you want to see brick or black when you look out your window or look down your beautiful tree-lined street?

Following is some information and ideas about how the community and RSCA may tackle this issue.

1) Get at least a 4-3 (or better) vote from Swissvale council against WPJWA's request to use asphalt vs. re-bricking.

2) At this time, we should take no legal action or make verbal/written threats so as not to alienate council members who may be scared of potential legal costs, etc.

3) Can the State or National Historic preservation groups/commissions help us?

4) Several residents are investigating the PA Historical & Museum Commission. (Contact the RSCA if you are knowledgeable and able to assist us with these issues)

A. If it can be proven that WPJWA uses/needs any State or Federal (EPA, DER, etc.) Please contact the RSCA if you have knowledge or connections with these agencies:

1. Permits

2. Licenses

B. Long-Term goal: Look to get Regent Square an Historical Neighborhood designation?

1. Like Mexican War Streets on the Northside?

2. Or at least get the streets designated on their own?

5) Tread very lightly with respect to the point of us being the main tax base in Swissvale.

A. 7 of the 8 voting Council members (and Mayor) do not live in Regent Square.

B. There is some past history in Swissvale politics of an "us vs. them" attitude.

6) The City of Pittsburgh concluded that the long-term cost savings, historical value, etc. warranted the protection of (at least) the Pittsburgh streets in Regent Square.

A. Residents are contacting the city to find any relevant information.

7) Over the weekend RSCA is posting signage around the neighborhood to encourage participation on Wednesday.

A. Contact Neal Harrison or Carrie Webber to offer assistance if you would like to.

B. The RSCA will post "Posters" on the RSCA homepage. Folks can print them and post them around the neighborhood or in their yards. (please be sure to remove them afterwards.)

8) If the issue goes past Wednesday, 7/7...

A. Further the grass roots campaign with yard signs (like the political signs)

B. Next legal steps- injunction, etc.?

1. May have to raise money if that happens (hopefully not).

9) The RSCA will draft a statement to be read at the meeting with additional details and information. If you have facts and figures, to support our case, please send them to Carrie Webber.

A. After proofing letter(s), Mark Foerster will review for a final version.

1. Mark is a Former Mayor and Councilman who would be a good source to review to insure that we do not press any unnecessary buttons.

2. Residents, of course, have their right and can handwrite in any additional comments they may want to on the letter.

Thanks to all, and contact us with any questions or projects you want to help with!

SUMMARY OF SWISSVALE BOROUGH MEETING, 6/30 (from Trevor Lloyd- Swissvale/ RS Resident)

The meeting started off well, as the few of us that showed up got to say a few words and state our position on this extremely important issue. However, when Anthony Russo from WPJWA spoke, things got dire. He is digging his heals in and means business. He has an estimate to pave the 1400 block of Macon with asphalt and that’s it, period. Council seemed to be on our side, which is great, but Mr. Russo expressly mentioned his intent to turn this into a legal fight.

I recognize that the Regent Square Civic Association most likely will not want to “choose a side” on this issue. However, we are asking the help and assistance of the RSCA’s ability to reach RSCA residents, as we will need a grass roots awareness campaign. After such a great turnout on Monday, we may have had 12 people show up. 10 or more will not do it at next week’s actual council meeting. We need to have a standing room only turnout.

It is imperative that Regent Square residents not on the 1400 block of Macon care about this particular issue. Because if WPJWA gets approval to asphalt from either Swissvale Council or via the legal route, the game is over for the Square. WPJWA will cite this block as a victory and fuel for future line replacements. I.e., when it is Trevanion’s turn, for example, to get their new water line…Trevanion will be asphalted instead of bricked when they put the road back together.

SUMMARY OF RSCA MEETING FOR SWISSVALE RESIDENTS TO DISCUSS NEIGHBORHOOD ISSUES (in the interest of time, only notes relative to the paving are included here. More detailed notes about the other issues will be posted to the RSCA website with the week.)

There were approximately 50-60 people in attendance. Introduction by Carrie Webber, RSCA President. Briefly reviewed current RSCA activities, invited non-members to join RSCA, requested volunteers for future initiatives and introduced Regent Square resident and Swissvale Council members Mike Epitropoulos. In his introduction, Mr. Epitropoulos explained that he was here to gauge support and gather concerns for a handful of issues that Swissvale Council is considering. These include changing Sanders to a one-way street, exploring the possibility of a crosswalk at Braddock and Sanders, and concerns that the WPJWA and/or Swissvale are eager to pave the brick streets with asphalt.

Mr. Epitropoulos explained that recent water line breaks and poor asphalt repair jobs on brick streets by the WPJWA have brought this issue to the fore. The he recent damage at Macon and Trevanion was cited by a number of residents as a point of concern. A unanimous show hands was in support of doing whatever is necessary to maintain the neighborhood’s brick streets. Residents had a number of comments:

· Questioned whether Swissvale has an ordinance that requires brick streets to be replaced/repaired following wok that requires they be torn up. If there is no ordinance, what would be required to have one written and passed by Swissvale Borough?

· Some residents wondered who would “win” between Swissvale and WPJWA on an issue like this. It was suggested this question be put to the Borough solicitor.

· Many residents voiced concern that the condition of the brick streets has steadily gotten worse over the last 20 – 30 years. There was frustration that Swissvale has not set aside money to re-set bricks and provide a planned maintenance of the streets.

· Although unable to cite an exact dollar amount, many residents argued that paving the neighborhood streets would inherently require more maintenance in the long run. It was said that all of Swissvale had probably been repaved numerous times since the bricks in regent Square had been laid.

Residents discussed ways to prevent the borough and / water authority from paving. All agreed to have representation at the Wednesday, 6/30 agenda meeting and at the 7/7 council meeting. The RSCA agreed to solicit residents to attend and issues reports etc, as needed.