Newsletter

Saturday, October 19th was a beautiful, albeit chilly day. NO RAIN like last year! We collected an entire lot (size of house) of tires, trash, TV’s and so many other items. It was very reassuring to hear from neighbors, that while they couldn’t help Saturday, they regularly cleaned up their block. Thank you to LaShawn Burton-Faulk for their support! The students were treated to pizza after the cleanup was completed.

From Ginny Landis:

I wanted to tell you that this year’s cleanup was a blast for me because I actually had the pleasure of working directly with the Pitt Students. We walked and filled garbage bags laughed and talked about the neighborhood house and were sad that there was so much garbage that it looked like it was just thrown from cars. The young girls were from all different cities, and we talked about their majors at Pitt.

I have not had the privilege to actually work with the students because in my many years of living here and volunteering for this seasonal project, I have helped at the information tables handing out supplies. One year I was the Organizer and had the joy of working with so many great people. That year we had lots of kids helping and they were shocked that there was garbage around. They got certificates to take to their teachers to get recognized for their help. I do hope the next cleanup we do we have more neighbors come out and help. Thanks Manchester Historic Society for doing this each season.

Many thanks to:

Albert Tachie
Dennis Mays
Ginny Landis
Gabby Tobor
Drew Seel
Mr. and Mrs. Toborg
Jonathan Steinhauser
Jake Hallman
Maddy Williams
Leshawn Burton-Faulk
Brian Keller
Linda Hansen
Martin Fuess
Jeff Krugh
All the Pitt Students

Here are some pictures of the wonderful Pitt students who came out!

How long have you lived in Manchester?

I moved to Manchester, Liverpool Street, in March of 2014. Having lived in the North Hills for 20 years at that point, I would spend many hours driving through the Northside, admiring the architecture and dreaming of possibly finding a spot for either my business or to live or both. I found the listing to rent 1332 Liverpool on Craigslist and immediately knew I was home. I was fortunate enough to purchase the multi-unit house in 2017.

What motivates you to serve on the Historic Society's board?

My educational path was originally in architecture and I’ve always been drawn to beautiful spaces and structures. I was looking for a way to become more involved in the neighborhood and the MHS was a natural fit. It was not until the pandemic however that I was able to find the time to slow down and learn more about the actual workings and mission of the MHS. I was able to devote more time to the MHS by joining the board when asked and becoming involved in the Showcase Manchester House Tour committee.

What would you like MHS members to know about this organization, and how they can stay involved?

Manchester is a gem. Both architecturally and culturally. We walk among the history daily and sometimes don’t even recognize it. Beyond the buildings lie the stories of the people that have gone before us and how they were and are an integral part of the tale of the growth of Pittsburgh, from Allegheny City to the present. However, that history is in danger of fading from us. The wonderful diversity of Manchester, its core strength, is in danger of fading from us. This can be countered not only in saving the architectural history around us but by becoming involved in being one who acknowledges the cultural history, preserves it and tells the story to the future generations. And that takes human interaction and participation. You’ve already become a member so take the next step. Get involved. Join a committee for the MHS. Volunteer to have your house on the 2025 Showcase Manchester House Tour. Spread the word that Manchester is a very special place because of its people and its spaces and places.

What are you looking forward to in Manchester in the year ahead?

The return of the Showcase Manchester House Tour for 2025 will definitely be something I’m looking forward to and working towards! The Showcase had to take a hiatus in 2024 simply because we did not have the critical involvement of the community to make it all we wanted it to be. We will be looking for home owners to open their houses for the tour but also looking for additional volunteers to put the needed effort in towards making the tour a success and presenting the Manchester we are all familiar with and so proud of! That involvement of new folks means new friends and a deepening of my ties to Manchester as my home.

And ﬁnally, what's your favorite unsung building, or architectural detail, in Manchester?

Manchester has a wealth of churches that hold so much history in the development of the community. I was recently in Victory Baptist church on Juniata St. in the morning. The stained glass in the sanctuary catching the sun beaming in at that hour was visually and emotionally overwhelming. I’m sad that many of those structures are slipping from our hands. The former St. Joseph’s on Liverpool, the former Trinity Church on Bidwell, the former New Zion on Manhattan…all are in danger of being just memories. The MHS needs to play a lead role in making sure those pieces of Manchester’s history are not lost.

Prescription coverage for senior’s bill becomes law, grants for schools and infrastructure, and more

Hello, Manchester residents. I hope everyone’s enjoying autumn in Pittsburgh! I’m eager to share with you some of the important work I’ve been doing in Harrisburg, here at home, and great grant news for our area.

My first bill to be signed into law was finalized by Gov. Josh Shapiro at the end of October.

Act 118 of 2024, formerly H.B. 2378, will exclude savings bonds and their accrued interest from Pennsylvania seniors’ income when determining their eligibility for Pennsylvania’s prescription assistance programs: the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly and PACE Needs Enhancement Tier, otherwise known as PACE and PACENET.

Older Pennsylvanians don’t deserve to lose access to the medications they need to maintain and improve their health and well-being just because they exercised some savvy financial foresight. Prescription costs continue to rise, and the new law will keep significant dollars in seniors’ pockets to use on other necessities.

I’m excited to reach this milestone and advance more legislation that benefits all Pennsylvanians!

Pittsburgh Public Schools received a total of $9.1 million in state grants for HVAC improvements, asbestos and lead remediation, and to make related necessary repairs. Our students deserve the opportunity to excel in and out of the classroom to reach their highest possible potential.

Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh was awarded grants of $600,000 and $300,000 to restore parts of Allegheny Landing and renovate the future site of the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh’s Annex, respectively, as well. These dollars will go a long way to preserving the infrastructure and cultural identity of the Steel City!

Finally, I want to thank all who attended my inaugural senior fair at the National Aviary. The hall was packed, and the event itself was a perfect combination of information on state services specific to elder Pennsylvanians and fun activities for everyone.

Creating a meaningful space for our elder neighbors in the district to feel loved and appreciated and have a great time was a true pleasure. I also want to thank the National Aviary, my staff and everyone else who made the event such a success!

I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday season, and I’ll talk to you all again in 2025!

The Pittsburgh Planning Commission is meeting on November 12th and the Esplanade project is on the agenda. It's important to show support for such an important opportunity for the city and Manchester. We are hoping that members will send a letter or email and appear either in person or give testimony via zoom (online). This link will take you to the page and materials that can be pulled down from there.

https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/Business-Development/Planning/Commissions-and-Boards/Planning-Commission

See below on how to pre-register to give public testimony via Zoom or in person.

Hybrid Meeting Instructions

Planning Commission meets bi-weekly on Tuesday afternoon. These meetings are hosted on Zoom, streamed on YouTube Live, and in-person at the City County Building. Please see the instructions below about how you can view or attend.

To attend in-person: City County Building, 414 Grant Street.

The Planning Commission requests that those who wish to attend in-person please pre-register by sending an email to planningcommission@pittsburghpa.gov by 9 a.m. the day of the Commission meeting.

To join Zoom Meeting, use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88275113502

To join by phone call +1 301 715 8592 with Webinar ID: 882 7511 3502

To stream the meeting live:

please visit our YouTube Channel at the time the meeting is scheduled to begin.

How to provide public testimony:

Members of the public have multiple ways to comment on Hearing and Action agenda items. You can:

Email planningcommission@pittsburghpa.gov. Email testimony will be accepted until the business day before the meeting at 12 p.m.
Send a letter to 100 Ross Street, Suite 202, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Mailed testimony must be received by two business days before the meeting.
Public testimony can be provided in-person at the City County Building or via Zoom.
If providing testimony in-person, follow the Commission instructions to queue.
If attending in-person, pre-register by sending an email to planningcommission@pittsburghpa.gov by 9 a.m. the day of the Commission meeting.
If providing testimony via Zoom:
Join the virtual meeting and use the raise hand function to speak
Call into the meeting on your phone and use the raise hand function by pressing *9

If you are not planning to testify, please watch the YouTube Live stream to allow those testifying to be able to join the meeting.

Newsletter

MHS Newsletter - Fall 2024