Better Block Foundation will return with painted crosswalks in July

Also: A new vision for 4800 Second Ave. and Hazelwood Local unveils summer program

The three painted crosswalks Better Block Foundation plans to create in July will look like the one shown here. The other two painted crosswalks will be the north-south crossings at Glen Caladh Street and Second Avenue, and Tecumseh Street and Second Avenue. Image courtesy of Better Block Foundation

By Juliet Martinez, managing editor

People gathered online and in person for the May 13 Greater Hazelwood monthly community meeting. They got exciting news about painted crosswalks coming to the business district. They also learned about a possible concept for the former home of Josza’s Corner. In Hazelwood Green news, an obscure zoning code change was discussed. Representatives from Module Housing visited for a second time to talk about their planned development.

Painted crosswalks

The Better Block Foundation team attended the meeting virtually. They presented their report from the activation of the 4900 block of Second Avenue on Oct. 26. They also announced a project inspired by their recommendations in that report.

The report says 300 people visited the colorful and fun space residents created with Better Block Foundation. The four-hour activation included a reflection space, comfortable seating and a performance stage. Arts Excursions Unlimited led craft activities.

As the report explains, “The community-led placemaking event aimed to inspire residents to creatively activate the parking lot next to Hazelwood Initiative and imagine what it could look like in the future.” View the report in full at tinyurl.com/better-block-hazelwood-2024.

The colorful undercurrent for the whole event was a semi-permanent ground mural. Better Block Foundation Project Manager Azael Alvarez explained what inspired the design. It draws on the “Time Travelers” mural in Elizabeth Street Park and the curve of the Monongahela River.

This summer, the Better Block crew and volunteers from Hazelwood will recreate this motif to make painted crosswalks. These will be where Glen Caladh, Tecumseh and Tipton streets meet Second Avenue. The painted crosswalks are a response to a desire community members expressed for a safer, more walkable neighborhood. Street murals can help pedestrians be more visible and drivers more aware of pedestrians.

Volunteers are invited to help paint the crosswalks. The current target date is July 24. Contact Mr. Alvarez at azael@betterblock.org for more information.

4800 Second Ave.

Hazelwood Initiative Executive Director Sonya Tilghman and Ernst Valery, CEO of the Aequo Foundation, discussed a preliminary vision for 4800 Second Ave.

The former home of Josza’s Corner at the corner of Second and Hazelwood avenues is a community landmark. It sits at the entrance to the neighborhood’s business district. The late owner, Alex Bodnar, sold the building to Hazelwood Initiative Inc. shortly before his death in 2022. The community development corporation has since conducted an architectural and engineering review.

Ms. Tilghman said at the May 13 meeting the review showed the building is suitable for ground-floor retail and upper-floor housing. The goal, she said, is to activate that corner in a way that acknowledges it as the entrance to Hazelwood’s business district. It should also accomplish some community priorities.

Mr. Valery has a proposal for a possible vision for redeveloping the building. It would be to make the ground floor an artist space. The upper floors would be housing for artists and makers of color.

The Aequo Foundation’s mission is to “level the playing field by providing capital, access, and support to black, brown, women, and immigrant developers so that they can be part of shaping our cities and neighborhoods,” according to its website, aequofoundation.org. To share your thoughts on this preliminary concept, please email info@hazelwoodinitiative.org.

Development activities meeting

Hazelwood Initiative Inc. Director of Engagement and Sustainability Lauren Coursey explained what a development activities meeting is.

The Department of City Planning gets public input by working with Registered Community Organizations (Hazelwood Initiative Inc., in this case). The organization helps schedule a development activities meeting if a project meets certain thresholds and the developer requests a hearing with the Zoning Board of Adjustment. This meeting gives the community a chance to learn about the project and share any feedback early in the process.

Ms. Tilghman added that Hazelwood Initiative Inc. does not choose which development projects are presented at community meetings. It does provide a letter summarizing the discussion about the project. The neighborhood planner, Austin Herzog, was present and took his own notes, which will be available on the city’s website. To share questions or concerns, email Mr. Herzog at austin.herzog@pittsburghpa.gov or call 412-598-5982.

From ‘primary’ to ‘sole’

Austin Gelbard of Hazelwood Green master developer Tishman Speyer presented a zoning language change applicable to the former brownfield.

The preliminary land development plan for Hazelwood Green is a detailed 200-page document. The SP-10 is a 20-page zoning ordinance that goes along with it. Mr. Gelbard said the zoning change he will be requesting on behalf of Tishman Speyer relates to one word: sole.

The SP-10 document has the word “sole” where the preliminary land development plan has the world “primary.” Tishman Speyer has to go through this process to change them to match.

In practice, the difference between the two words becomes quite complicated. Mr. Gelbard said several times how hard it was to explain.

Participants at the meeting took the opportunity to tell him they want a community benefits agreement with Hazelwood Green. A community benefits agreement is a legally binding contract between a developer and a coalition of community organizations. The coalition supports the development in exchange for direct help to the community from the developer, according to PolicyLink.org.

Marquis Cofer (left) and Brian Gaudio of Module Housing speak at the May 13 Greater Hazelwood community meeting about the development they plan to build on Eliza Street. The three-story building will have 30 one- and two-bedroom apartments priced for middle-income residents. Photo by Tiffany Taulton

Module Housing

The chief operating and executive officers of Garfield-based Module Housing attended the meeting for the second month in a row. CEO Brian Gaudio and COO Marquis Cofer spoke about the plan for a three-story, 30-unit development on Eliza Street.

This building will fill the space between two five-story mixed-income apartment buildings. One will be across Lytle Street from Hazelwood Green Plaza, and the other along Blair Street. The developer is not applying for any subsidies or grants to build it.

The modular development planned on Hazelwood Green will charge rents affordable to households earning 80-120% of the area median income. It will have one- and two-bedroom units. The units will be all-electric and built for energy efficiency.

Trek Development will manage the properties and will accept Section 8 vouchers. Trek is building and will also manage the two five-story developments that will be on either side of the Module Housing apartment building.

Mr. Gaudio said he founded the company with the goal of building more homes more easily, and making them better to live in. The company partners with nonprofit developers and serves as architect, contractor and fabricator. Module Housing partners with the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh and employs people who face barriers to employment.

Summer fun

The JADA House International senior luncheon will be June 7. See Page 15 for details.

Hazelwood Local announced their lineup of summer activities. The Movies on the Green series will feature:

• “Wild Robot” on June 13.

• “Cool Runnings” on July 11.

• Another film that has yet to be determined on Aug. 8.

Summer Sounds with Weather Permitting will feature:

• El Laberinto del Coco from Puerto Rico. June 22.

• Yeison Landero from Colombia, July 6.

• Slavic festival with the Tamburitzans Croatian dance troupe, Aug. 22.

Learn more at hazelwoodlocal.com.