AHOP

Architectural intern Joshua Surratt joined Hazelwood Initiative Inc. in August as a UDream intern. A graduate from Drexel University with a Bachelor of Science degree in architectural studies, Mr. Surratt has a zeal for community engagement and sustainability. He created a human-centered participatory design card game for his capstone project. The game, Co-Design in a Flash, helps participants practice skills Mr. Surratt describes as co-design methods, active listening, ethic

Pittsburgh Regional Transit held an in-person hearing on Sept. 10 during the final public comment period on its Bus Line Refresh. The transit authority also got more than 16,000 online comments about the plan before comments closed on Sept. 30. It was previously known as Port Authority Transit and is now branded PRT. PRT’s board expects to vote on the changes in November and implement them in the second half of 2027.

On the evening of Sept. 3, a series of thunderstorms drenched Greenfield, Greater Hazelwood, and neighborhoods in the 31st Ward. August had brought near-record rainfall to Pittsburgh, so the storm itself did not surprise residents. The flooding it caused throughout the area did.

If you’re a Greenfielder who wishes for a neighborhood coffee shop to open on Murray Avenue, you’re in luck. If you’re interested in Jewish learning and community building, even better. Two Greenfielders are fixing up the former bank branch at 4300 Murray Ave. to create Shoresh, a nonprofit coffee shop that is also a low-barrier space for Jewish study and prayer. It will offer coffee and pastries by day and classes in the evenings.

After buying the funeral home in June, Shamiah Coulverson hopes to change people’s associations with the building. The funeral director of House of Paradise Cremation and Funeral Care spoke with The Homepage on Sept. 4 about the business that she runs with the help of two family members. The funeral home is now open for business and will have a grand opening event on Oct. 17 at 2 p.m.

Attendance was sparse at the Sept. 8 Greater Hazelwood monthly community meeting. The weather was hot, and the air conditioning was out of order in the second-floor classroom at 107 Flowers Ave. Some participants left early. But those who were there for all or part of the meeting learned about the Pittsburgh Scholar House residential program and voiced their questions and concerns to the presenters from Pittsburgh Water.