Wilkinsburg Development (Pittsburgh, Garrett: crime, home, elementary school)

[wpipkins2]

Over the past several months I've been staying close to home and rarely venturing outside. Recently I visited my local hardware store in Wilkinsburg and noticed the following.

Historic preservation is in full swing. Many of the revitalized storefronts are now occupied with locally owned businesses.The businesses range from print shops to Caribbean seafood to an apothecary skin care shop.... The apothecary shop has a line of products for men. Mainly beard oils and skin care.

The biggest change to the district is the traffic patterns. Wood and Ross Streets are no longer one way streets. Both street in the center of town are now two way streets with all new curb bumps, lighting, and street signals.

The Wilkinsburg CDC recently moved there office to the revitalized section of Wood street while the former block is rehabbed. This is in addition to the Train Station renovation and historic preservation.

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.4422...7i13312!8i6656

[gg]

That is great. I haven't been over that way at all for probably a year. Have to take a drive around. I just think Wilkinsburg has such nice buildings and a great location. I wish it was part of Pittsburgh for the schools and tax situation however. Do you feel Wilkinsburg would do better if it was part of Pittsburgh?

Thanks for the update.

[wpipkins2]

Originally Posted by gg

That is great. I haven't been over that way at all for probably a year. Have to take a drive around. I just think Wilkinsburg has such nice buildings and a great location. I wish it was part of Pittsburgh for the schools and tax situation however. Do you feel Wilkinsburg would do better if it was part of Pittsburgh?

Thanks for the update.

Wilkinsburg should recover independently although I am not against a merger. Wilkinsburg Highschool was closed. Most Wilkinsburg highschool students attend Pittsburgh Westinghouse. Turner elementary school just finished a multi million dollar historic preservation and modernization. The block glass window were replaced with beautiful white framed windows complete with transoms. I never realized that Turner Elementary is a Art Deco classic

https://i2.wp.com/www.wilkinsburgsch...rior.jpg?ssl=1

Kelly elementary school is located in the gentrified section of Wilkinsburg and never fell off the radar like Turner did.

[svband76]

I would love nothing more than a comeback for W. My folks moved there from Michigan over 60 years ago. Good memories of the town.

[gg]

Originally Posted by wpipkins2

Wilkinsburg should recover independently although I am not against a merger. Wilkinsburg Highschool was closed. Most Wilkinsburg highschool students attend Pittsburgh Westinghouse. Turner elementary school just finished a multi million dollar historic preservation and modernization. The block glass window were replaced with beautiful white framed windows complete with transoms. I never realized that Turner Elementary is a Art Deco classic

https://i2.wp.com/www.wilkinsburgsch...rior.jpg?ssl=1

Kelly elementary school is located in the gentrified section of Wilkinsburg and never fell off the radar like Turner did.

What a beautiful building! Looks in amazing shape.

Wilkinsburg's downtown section is really great, not to mention flat. Such a perfect location really.

I think it will just get nicer and nicer.

[Blue Shift]

Sounds good! I like how Wilkinsburg is laid out and I think, structurally, it's in a good position to get nicer and nicer, as gg put it.

[Independentthinking83]

Originally Posted by gg

That is great. I haven't been over that way at all for probably a year. Have to take a drive around. I just think Wilkinsburg has such nice buildings and a great location. I wish it was part of Pittsburgh for the schools and tax situation however. Do you feel Wilkinsburg would do better if it was part of Pittsburgh?

Thanks for the update.

Mergers have been mentioned with Pittsburgh many times over the years. One thing always missing is a good reason for the aforementioned municipality to do so. Many people want municipal mergers so Pittsburgh can increase in population. Still I have yet to see a good enough reason to do so and how it would benefit residents of the smaller municipality becoming part of the city.

Maurita Garrett is the young progressive black woman mayor. Even she has never mentioned this as an option. And that speaks volumes about the future of any mergers with the city.

People will always be hesitant. The city has a horrible track record of handling mergers. When Allegheny City was forcefully merged into Pittsburgh, it was a gem that the city neglected and pretty much wrecked. Residents of the north side were against losing their city. One could argue that none of the residents of Allegheny City benefited from the merger. Especially looking at the population decay and crime today compared to when it was a thriving independent city over 100 years ago.

[Joe_P]

It makes sense for the smaller community for resources. In this case, it's adjacent and struggling. I'm not sure the "city's history" regarding mergers is relevant given that there hasn't been a notable merger in forever.

[gg]

Merging with Pittsburgh in this case is an obvious win for both. Wilkinsburg taxes make it impossible to really revitalize it to its potential. Also Wilkinsburg can’t even support a school. Merging is its best option.

[wpipkins2]

Originally Posted by gg

Merging with Pittsburgh in this case is an obvious win for both. Wilkinsburg taxes make it impossible to really revitalize it to its potential. Also Wilkinsburg can’t even support a school. Merging is its best option.

In addition to the High school students attending Pittsburgh Westinghouse, Fire and Sanitation is handled by the city of Pittsburgh. This contract has been in place for some time now.